Toy Fair 2013 - A 'Toy' That Bothers Me!

Yesterday I went to the 60th Toy Fair at Olympia. I've been every year for the last 20 years to meet my suppliers and see what is new in the puppets and instrument market for Musical Minis. Whilst it is always lovely to see the companies we buy from and have a little chat, for the last few years there has been little to be excited over. Unfortunately, this year was the same!

Looking at the toys as a whole, there was nothing that inspired me or I felt may become a new craze. I walked around the 'New Toy' section and just saw games my children played with that had been revamped and redesigned.

There was one 'toy' there that was there last year too and as far as I'm aware I don't think it has taken off. It bothered me last year and again this year so I thought I'd see what you think. It is called Magic Choc and comprises of milk, white and dark Belgian chocolate. The idea is to mold the chocolate into various shapes which you then can eat. The chocolate doesn't need heating and can be squished into the shape of animals, birds, monsters or whatever you fancy making. What do you think?

I see it as a kind of playdough which can be eaten. I know you can make edible playdough in case its eaten, so will cause no harm, do we need an alternative? Do we really want to encourage children to play with food? What's to stop them thinking its fine to squish fish fingers and peas to make models?

I'm also worried by the hygiene levels. It is suggested that children wash their hands before they start playing with Magic Choc. However, if children are squashing chocolate, I'm sure with fingers in their mouths and elsewhere, germs must end up on the chocolate models. It is suggested that the model is eaten once it's made but realistically they will want to save their creation to show people later on. Or the model may be made in the afternoon and you don't want your child to eat it until after their supper. Aren't the germs going to multiply over this time?

Please let me know your thoughts. Is Magic Choc a good or a bad idea? Would you buy it for your children?

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