“Slow Toy Awards” Announce the “Slow Seven of 2013”

Fat Brain Toys: Twig

This year’s “Slow Toy Awards” are
out. The Slow Toy Movement is an
offshoot of the Slow Food movement. The
Slow Food movement was a European reaction to McDonald’s and the growing
ubiquity of fast food. Similarly, the
Slow Toy Movement seeks to be a reaction to plastic, heavily promoted toys that
rely too much on technology and not enough on traditional materials and
durability. Here are their criteria:

Must
be available in independent stores
Must
inspire the mind
Must
not require batteries
Must
not be solely made from plastic
It
has to stand the test of time
It
has to promise true play value
It must be a well made toy

I applaud the Slow Toy movement
for highlighting the notion that toys should aspire to do more than simply sell well. I do, however, have some concerns with their press release when it states that: “The Slow Toy Awards aim to highlight the
‘real’ toys on the market that inspire children, will stand the test of time
and offer true play value.” What exactly
are “real” toys and how do we measure “true” play value? I also have some thoughts on their criteria. I will discuss my concerns in my next posting
but until then, here are the winners, the “Slow Seven of 2013:”:

Doll Pram – Moovers