It is not shocking anymore to see the children far and wide, even from as young as three years old, using tablets or smartphones like a pro. Since their arrival, kids are exposed and stunned with technological products, and those innovative fantasies that could only be reproduced in films or cartoons that crossed the barrier of the fiction are becoming more real.

A 180º Turn

In the past, small children were given crayons and paper, but today they draw with their own fingers upon touch screens. In the past, they wrote a letter to Santa Claus, while today they write an email or record an audio message…

So parents tend to be concerned about the time their sons and daughters pass in front of a screen or playing video games instead of tinkering outside with real people, and most admit that the Millennial generation refuses to play if there is not some sort of technology involved.

For those reasons, there have been an increase of around the globe tech-campaigns like e. g. ‘Dirt is Good’, with the aim of making society aware that children need the exploratory and experiential game that is essential for their learning and healthy development.

Back to the Future

But if preserving some remains of an old childhood is about, the image of the robot endures in time as the imposing toy gadget, which beyond all fiction, is gaining more autonomy.

Manufacturers work to remove the negative label of their products for the new mini-users, and provide them attributes that go beyond simple entertainment, as they know toys have played an important role in the development of our children’s sponge brains.

Lego, the Old Reliable

Clever and classy, two words, in my opinion, that could describe the almost 80 years of Lego’s growing, bringing us a fresh proposal for 2k17 that is not only genuine, but it will let us interconnect the future and the past while adding new features even to our oldest bricks: to make actual robots.

Now there is Lego Boost

Lego Boost is a set of motors and programmable blocks that will be able to turn into motorized or motion-sensitive figures. Plus it’ll be possible to download a voice effects app… So, yes, you can tell them that their Lego’s dream dancing dinosaur that speaks will come true! Overcoming other robots, the advantage here is that our techie geek kid will be possible to create and give life to –literally– anything in their imagination.

Parents over many generations have deposited their confidence on the junior learning throughout this cool game, and now with this update, if you are still wondering if it will be worth it, take a look at this letter a naive teen sent to the Lego’s customer service department – technology knowledge for useful, high impact purposes, plus great customer care, is not usual to be found around the corner and should not be leading a child in the wrong path. Overall, an unusual game idea to please both kids and adults futuristic needs while having a blast as a family. Currently, Lego Boost is scheduled to release in August 2017 after their debut at CES a couple of weeks ago.

Smart Toys, Smart Kids

Other mega-trend options to feed the creativity in a funny, interactive way go from Jimu to Cozmo, more educational codable robot-toys that are emerging on the market over the last year.

The future is brighter, and I believe it has something to do with educating the youngster earlier about topics such as robotic and innovation in a friendly way: as a game!