It’s a new toy from Fisher-Price called the Smart Cycle. It’s a “stationary bike, a learning center, and an arcade game system” all squashed into one freakish amalgam. Am I crazy to think you’d be a hell of a lot better off spending your $100 on an actual, not-stationary bike and some, I don’t know, books? Just a thought.
Raising Opie and his sister in the most wholesome town in America.
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Agree completely. Do kids require a screen in order to be entertained?
I don’t have kids yet, but that toy scares me. I guess people are planning on never letting their children out of the house again? Yikes.
Um, maybe if you live in an area where everyone runs around with weapons and the kids can’t go outside? Of course you’d need regular electricity and the money for the system – not sure that all ever goes together!
By the way, the cheesehead hat is probably enough attire for us for the time being.
wow… that’s horrendous. quite appalling, actually.
when i was teaching high school english, i looked at so many of my students and thought, “i wish your parents had taught you to appreciate reading.” more parents should buy their kids books.
Wow. That’s fairly disturbing.
Why don’t we just all get robots instead of having babies and be done with it? That’s what it seems to be saying.
Deeply. OMG yes!
But then…of the people I know, I am probably the only parent of a 5 year old who doesn’t know how to use the television or computer and doesn’t have one of each of her own.
And any game on the television (stationary bike or no) disturbs me deeply.
My husband sometimes chafes at the no playstation (or whatever the current one is) rule but I say we have plenty of distractions.
Uh….. yeah.
I guess one could make the argument that if parents are going to let their kids veg in front of a video game all day long that at least this way they are geetting SOME sort of exercize…..but still…
Not cool.
Yes, this is VERY disturbing!
My boys love to ride their bikes outside, enjoying that activity as a real event. And then we read inside where we can concoct our own scenery in our heads.
No need to do it on the screen as in this product.
However – I’ve got to admit enjoying the Wii, since I can do things like bowling, tennis, and golf, where I typically wouldn’t bring my kids. We get exercise and entertainment in one.
Wow. Can we think of any more ways to increase the childhood obesity epidemic in this country or the even more frightening epidemic of lack of imagination in children today? Or, for that matter, the increasing amounts of ugly, large plastic toys in our landfills?
Yikes.
Oh, boy. Maybe they could retrofit it with a food try while they’re at it.
Maybe I’m the wrong person to comment on this since I may end up splitting up with Nate over my refusal to have a DVD in the car but hot holy hell, that is a sad statement on the shape of the world.
If the weather’s that bad out, can’t the kid do um, like arts and crafts or something?
I think the kid’s slightly demonic smile is the most frightening. Perhaps it induces some kind of hypnotic trance, whereby your children are magically entertained by the constant peddling/flashing lights on the screen, leaving moms free to do whatever.
Freedom sounds great, but I’d much rather be supervising my children making a mess of the yard, thanks.
That is crazy. I’m eager to see how the sales go for something like that…
It seems the outdoors have been outsourced… to the television.
Wow. Terrible.
But I want one in my size.
That is so wrong. What’s next? Virtual trips to the playground?
Today I cranked Ricky Martin and the girls danced like crazy for a good 20 minutes. Yep, we really know how to party (and burn off some kid energy.)
OK I have to butt in and tell Mom101 that for long car trips (7 hours or longer) the dual portable DVD player has been a LIFESAVER!
holy crap, that is monstrous.
I agree~
I am soo behind! I gotta catch up on some reading here annnnnd hear about Blogher. I’ve been meaning to call you ~especially when I saw you on caller id and asked the kids…….and of course……oh yeah …she called. Sorry mom!
so …..I’ll call ya tomorrow.
I agree~
I am soo behind! I gotta catch up on some reading here annnnnd hear about Blogher. I’ve been meaning to call you ~especially when I saw you on caller id and asked the kids…….and of course……oh yeah …she called. Sorry mom!
so …..I’ll call ya tomorrow.
Actually, it’s been something my company has been watching for along time from a public health perspective. One of our scientists does exercise research. Although, that particular toy is for youngest market she has seen, by the largest company to date.
From a public health perspective, it is actually a really fascinating idea. Kids getting physical activity while they play video games.
I am not sure why you guys all think it’s so horrendous. If the kids are sitting there anyway playing games, why shouldn’t they be moving while doing it?
Obviously, the hope is that this contraption does not extend screen time any further than normal, of course. And yes, certainly the hope is that it would not take away from fresh air time either.
The jury is still out from the research side though, whether these things work to increase physical activity or not. So, my colleague is very interested in watching the uptake of this toy, actually.
Just my two cents.
I can actually see a use for that. Where we live, it gets upwards of 110 in the summer (and we don’t have a pool). Riding bikes outdoors in that heat is not only miserable, but it can be dangerous…
I saw this toy, too, in an ad. I guess the toy people think parents must think as long as kids are going to play video games or watching TV, they might as well be exercising. Then the toy company gets to look like they are taking on childhood obesity!
I think it sounds like a fun way to reinforce the things you are trying to tech your young toddler. Sometimes it can be hard teaching busy body children, and this toy allows them to learn and play at the same time. Obviously like all things in life you have to do this in moderation. You dont allow the child to play it all day, just when you say and for as long as you say. Personally i think it is great!
Try living in the North where my kid cannot ride his bike. That is the only time I let him ride this bike.
Why don’t you people think in moderation? It isn’t like this kid is chained to the stupid toy.
Maybe the alternative is to send my kid outside in the 10 degree weather all day and hope he comes inside when his toes are black?
Be reasonable people, this isn’t an ‘exercise bike’ it is a learning toy that has him expend a little energy as well.
Next you will think “Sesame Street” is disturbing. Perhaps riding the bus instead of walking?