Look Mom! New Fun for Kids!
So, I was watching tv the other night and an ad for this ‘lovely’ came on. Once I pulled my jaw off of the floor and recovered my ability to speak… Fisher Price Smart Cycle Presents like this make me want to send a letter of condolence to the poor, poor children.
my recurring thought was, “What the Hell ever happened to childhood”? Whatever happened to riding down the street with the wind blowing through your hair and the cards stuck in your spokes going click click click as you speed along behind your best friend with your backpack full of snacks, off to spend the glorious day in an empty lot, or tree, or behind a bush on the side of the road, ANYWHERE that you can find that makes you feel away from the world? Whatever happened to disappearing for the whole day, and coming home at night, because your mama calls you for dinner? What ever happened to that? I mean, I know, deep down what happened to that, I suspect, but really, can’t we bring that back? Work together?
Love,
Heather
SharkMan » Look Mom! New Fun for Kids! said,
November 19, 2007 @ 9:39 am
[…] Check it out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today.Here’s a quick excerptLook Mom! New Fun for Kids! So, I was watching tv the other night and an ad for this ‘lovely’ came on. Once I pulled my jaw off of the floor and recovered my ability to speak… Fisher Price Smart Cycle Presents like this make me want to send a letter of condolence to the poor, poor children. my recurring thought was, “What the Hell ever happened to childhood”? Whatever happened to riding down the street with the wind blowing through your hair and the cards stuck in your spokes going click cl […]
manyrainbows said,
November 19, 2007 @ 1:30 pm
we actually got this for our older son, because we currently do not have a paved area for him to ride his bike (unless we drive 15 minutes to a park, which seems silly… drive to ride a bike) plus with the colder weather, this way he has something top do when it is just too cold to go outside. Plus, the road we live on is a VERY bust country highway, where i am afraid to walk, let alone ride a bike.
besides, my son doesn’t play with the smart cycle alone. we play with him, and its a great educational opportunity when he is tired of mommy playing teacher.
morganmcf said,
November 19, 2007 @ 4:58 pm
On the other hand, if these parents are going to allow their young children hours and hours of time on the video games, at least the poor things are getting some exercise. *sigh*
Julinda said,
November 20, 2007 @ 6:06 am
We saw this at Toys R Us and my 8-year-old thought it was really neat. We didn’t buy it - we do TV but otherwise not a lot of electronics in the house - but I can see good points to it. They get to play video games which most kids love and get some exercise at the same time. Also, as manyrainbows pointed out, it’s a good way to get exercise indoors when the weather is bad, and a good way to get bike riding in when you don’t have a good area to ride. We too live in the country and don’t have a paved place, and until a year or so ago, my son didn’t have the balance to ride around on our gravel drive and the natural hills and uneven spots of our acreage. So, this could have a place even in the life of a child who does spend time outdoors riding a bike or playing or whatever. As with most things, it’s not the product itself, it’s how you use it.
Julinda
fibercrazed said,
November 20, 2007 @ 7:20 am
I think it’s great! Kids aren’t getting enough screen time these days. And if we can combine one of the few physical activities they still love with more opportunity to assault their eyesight and brains with computer images, even better!
mamaof5 said,
November 20, 2007 @ 7:42 am
Holy cow… are people serious! That thing is god awful. Not in 100 years would I allow that piece of crap in my house. I would drive 15 minutes to spend a day riding bikes. We don’t have alot of sidewalk in our ‘hood, but I just take the kids for a walk and they ride. You can ride in the street… OR on the dirt. Didn’t anyone ever do that?
I think the issue is that parents are too busy and are scared. The media has made us terrified to let our kids experience life. No tag at school… heck no running at school and some kids don’t even get recess. They when the kids get home it is off to some “sport” so they at least get some movement, then home and plop in front of the TV or video games. Sick. Really.
Let your kids run and play!
Heather in Tucson
Melissa said,
November 20, 2007 @ 7:43 am
Oh that’s nothing. There is actually an entire GYM in California (and probably hoping to become a national franchise) that combines fitness equipment with video games and it’s AIMED AT TEENS. http://www.psfk.com/2006/09/fitness_for_vid.html
All in the name of reducing America’s obese children problem. Too bad there isn’t enough fresh air and outdoor areas for kids to burn it off naturally, not to mention healthy food for them to eat.
What we need to do is depave 1/10 of urban areas and reclaim the land for growing food, for parks, for safe outdoor opportunities all year round.
http://depave.org/
sapphire_chan said,
November 20, 2007 @ 8:58 am
“I’d never ever buy that.”
Just remember that when you move to a state that gets 2 feet of snow by November.
The one question I have is, can the stationary bike be used without hooking it up to a TV? So you could workout while your child bikes and you could talk to them about where they were pretending to ride?
It could also be awesome next to an adult’s stationary bike/treadmill with a video of different bike trails from around the world as they train together for long bike rides outdoors come spring.
Yes, it’s definitely only specific situations that would make it useful, but those situations aren’t that far-fetched.
caronl said,
November 20, 2007 @ 9:55 am
LOL! My son INVENTED a toy like this!! My son and his buddies are 5 now, and they love to ride their bikes like maniacs all over the pathways at a nearby park. And…
The other day they took their bikes into the wood-chipped ‘play-area’ and created their own stationary bikes by digging out the chips under the back wheels so that the training wheels kept it supported, not touching the ground. Every child in the park came over to check out the fun!
Indoor play IS a reality though, whether it’s too cold or just too dangerous to let them out. That’s why my house has a swing attached to the ceiling, an empty area for tumbling, and all spaces are wide enough for a tricycle to roll through.
On any given day, my kids (and their friends) might be seen roller-skating in full lion/superman costume shouting ‘cookies for sale’ as they balance playdough ‘baked treats’ on trays made from library books. I know, I know, you’re not SUPPOSED to use library books that way…
typeogirl999 said,
November 20, 2007 @ 10:59 am
Weird. That’s all I have to say about it. Except maybe it would be OK for when there’s snow on the ground.
mamasitamaya said,
November 20, 2007 @ 2:52 pm
I’m sooooo tired of hearing moms try to make up excuses for why they let their kids watch TV and play video games instead of reding books, drawing, playing and generally excercise their imaginations. I live in Wasington State, where it literally either rains or snows 9 months out of the year. On nice days we walk, go to the park, or ride bikes. Even when it’s raining. When we are not able to do that, we color, cook together, play games, read to one another and hang out. And moms, you aren’t responsible for entertaining your kids all day. Instead, invite them to spend time doing the things you need to do with you. Kids love to feel needed, and a like they are part of the family. I’m not saying we never watch TV, and obviously I use the computer- but really, why are you defending something that really does your child no good?
mezzaluna said,
November 20, 2007 @ 5:20 pm
funny, i just saw one of those in the buffalo airport. seemed like a great idea for kids stuck in an airport terminal with time to kill and few safe options for physical activity. there was also a seesaw and a slide and then some overstimulating fisher price toys with too many colors and buttons and electronic songs. anyway, not something i would ever think to get at home, but it was a great idea for an airport play area.
mamaof5 said,
November 21, 2007 @ 11:00 am
I grew up in Portland Ore. we had loads of rain almost all year round and we had snow in the winter… you find other stuff to do. Read a book, draw, paint, run around the house… heck play outside… you know put on a coat, hat, mittens, snow/rain boots.
I live where it gets boiling hot now in the summer… you do the same stuff except maybe you go to the public pool when you go out.
That is just an excuse for people to stay afraid, to keep their kids inside. If it is possible make a safe place in your yard for your kids to play, if not take the time to go to a park, even if it is a 15 minute drive. The kids need need need the outside. Not just the bike experience, the out side.
Heather in Tucson
manyrainbows said,
November 21, 2007 @ 12:46 pm
my son DOES get plenty of outside time. during the summer, almost 5 hours playing on his swings/slide/etc… we go to the hands on science center in town, story time… but he still likes this because it is an educational game, which reinforces what he is learning from me. and he does also help out at home. but when he is awake from 9am-midnight, there is only so much he wants to do with me, and its a good way to keep him occupied when I am taking care of the baby.
I’m not saying to sit your kid in front of this thing all day, every day.. but when i need a break, I like that he has toys that help him learn numbers, spelling, matching, and other skills.
and sorry, but with gas at $3/gallon I do not like driving 15 minutes to a park, for my son to ride his bike for 5 minutes and get bored, get mad because no one at the playground wants to play with him.. get the idea?
heidi said,
November 21, 2007 @ 3:09 pm
That’s what happens when you watch tv!
wiffersnapper said,
November 22, 2007 @ 7:11 am
I think what we need here is moderation… I certainly wouldn’t let my kid ride on one of those every day, but it might be okay now and then when it’s totally yucky outside. Playing outside is, of course, far better, but the sad fact is that it does sometimes rain.