High-tech toys? Bah humbug
By Staff
Leada Gore, Editor
Any talk of a new video game system got shot down pretty quickly in our house last weekend.
I was shocked to think that a video game system was selling for thousands of dollars, but it turns out Greg was right. A quick scan of on-line auction sites showed prices ranging from $800 to $3,000.
So, basically, for the price of a used car you can own a Sony Playstation III. Doesn’t make a lot of sense, does it?
The makers of this video game and just about every other high-priced, high-tech toy is banking on kids and teenagers to cajole, threaten and whine their way into a Christmas that costs more than Santa’s sleigh.
I hope parents don’t cave in to the pressure. There are plenty of other great presents that make a lot more sense.
How about crayons? What happened to the good old crayon? One of the most popular Sunday School activities I ever had was melting crayons over candles to create “artwork.” Granted, it’s easy to burn your fingers doing this, but some aloe is a lot cheaper than a $70 game to go with your Playstation.
And what about a bicycle? I don’t mean some electric scooter or motorized creation. I mean a plain, old bicycle with a basket on the front and a bell on the handlebars. I can guarantee you the epidemic of childhood obesity would be lowered if there were more bicycles handed out this year instead of video games.
The list could go on and on…Legos, Lincoln Logs, blocks of all sorts, dolls that don’t talk to you, Play-Dough, a Barbie Doll that doesn’t look all tarted up and a Lite Brite.
And what about a Big Wheel? I loved my Big Wheel when I was a kid, spending hours cruising up and down the driveway or racing one of the neighborhood kids. Today, of course, kids don’t ask for Big Wheels. They require too much work and mean you have to actually go outside to do something. Today’s Big Wheel is probably a virtual reality game on your Playstation. No physical movement required.
You can keep your Sony Playstation and the rest of those high-powered, high-dollar Christmas toys. I, for one, am headed outside to play with my paddle with the red ball connected to it with a rubber band.
Sure, it hurts when that ball hits you, but can get a lot of those old paddles for $3,000.
