Make way for the slow toy movement
Is the ideal toy for your child this Christmas really a battery operated dog that poos…seriously?!
By Michael Smith (Veshengro)
What happened to the rocking horse, the educational abacus, the classic wooden toy, the much loved train set or the ever so tradition Jack in a box? Why do the toys of today require multi coloured plastic structures, countless functions and noises going off left right and centre? Well not forever thanks to some of the most significant individuals in the toy sector campaigning for change.
Recently saw the official launch of the Slow Toy Movement, an inspired concept that aims to promote well made toys that are sourced ethically and leave plenty to kid’s imagination. Banished are the fast paced, 84 functions plastic monstrosities that are the talk to today’s Dream toys predictions for this Christmas.
The Slow Movement is set to be the next big cultural movement for the toy industry. Much like what Carlo Petrini did for the food industry with his Slow Food Movement that defended good food and the enjoyment of eating back in 1986, this campaign in much the same way aims to support and promote toys sourced ethically and toys that let the child develop at their own pace. Children should never be in a race to talk or walk first, this is not a competition. Development should be left to follow it's own pace. There should be a time to play and a time to study, work and develop.
Thierry Bourret, Managing Director of Asoibi toys and the inspiration behind this concept commented: “Our launch is very much in response to the 2011 Dream Toys announcement where a plastic toy that poos made the top of the selection. This was held as, and I quote here: "amazing technological advancements from the toy industry. This doesn’t mean to say that the toys are ‘techy’; rather that technology has been used to enrich the whole experience of play."
Sorry, mind running that by me again. Those things do what? Enrich the whole experience of play? Yes, and pigs fly... If this is technological advancement then mind if I go over to the Luddite camp?
Asobi was set up in January 2009 by owner Thierry Bourret, a father himself. Frustrated at being unable to find quality natural toys for his own son that looked good, felt good and had no batteries but were still fun to play with, Thierry began sourcing suitable toys to share with like-minded parents. He also wanted to demystify the belief that green toys are expensive. As a leading UK and European distributor of high quality toys that don’t cost the earth in more ways than one, Asobi stocks a fantastic range of products that are beautifully made and built to last including brands such as Baghera retro cars, Boikido, Calafant, Uncle Goose, etc…
I have seen some of Asobi's toys at some trade fairs and they do look great but they are, obviously, and thanks to the g-ds, not the only ones that make great toys that are not made of plastic, make noises, etc.
Wooden toys of many shapes and forms, including building blocks, such as Lincoln Logs in the US, still do exist and also I encountered a great little company from Latvia not so long ago whose wooden toys really are out standing.
So, let's hear it for the Slow Toy Movement...
© 2011
