I must admit, I don't even know what a Zhu Zhu is and I certainly can't fathom sitting down to a game of Mattel's Mental Mind Flex  after a day like today. Granted, my son is only 2 1/2 and is easily entertained by removing every receipt and penny in my wallet and throwing it around the room, so the dire need for "the coolest" toy on the shelves isn't quite as crucial as it is in some homes. However, when I read about the new Fisher Price "Tablet for Toddlers" that was debuted this past week at the nation's largest Toy Fair in NYC, I realized I may need to stop pretending that his hand-carved puzzles and dried-out (non-toxic, of course) play dough are really fun.



The iXL, as it's called, retails for $80 and has an SD card slot, USB connectivity, and yes, of course, apps. Children can play games, read story books, draw, listen to music, and look at photos. 



Essentially, it's a friggin' iPad. For Toddlers.



The fact that my son, right now, can finger and whisk through my iPhone with ease to find whatever app it is that he feels like playing with (Balloon Lite being the app du jour), is concerning on so many levels. First, how the heck does he know how to control this? Second, is this why he doesn't like those stupid hand-carved puzzles?  And third, if the iXL is his version of Shrinky Dinks, (my most favorite and magical toy of all when I was a kid) what else will they possibly come up with to keep young children entertained? Literally, he will have to have play-dates on the moon, as a ride through the neighborhood on a good old-fashioned tricycle would seem so ancient and boring.



So tell me, parents, especially ones with older children: Do I need to get with the program and invest in toys with all the bells and whistles? Or do I need to save it for a certain age?  Tell me your thoughts here!