Lego introduces innovative “smart bricks” designed to enhance traditional toys with interactive features like lights, sound, and motion. However, an expert suggests that this advancement could potentially diminish the open-ended imaginative play that has been a hallmark of Lego’s developmental benefits for children.
The Danish company unveiled its Smart Play system at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, showcasing bricks and minifigures equipped with electronic components such as speakers and sensors to enable responsiveness to actions and sounds. For instance, a new set inspired by Star Wars includes elements that produce lightsaber and engine sounds, while a Lego helicopter generates swooshing noises when in motion.
According to the toymaker, these new products aim to spark children’s creativity and deliver an interactive play experience rich in exploration and storytelling. In contrast, the traditional Lego sets, like the basic building bricks allowing for diverse constructions, have been praised for fostering imaginative play by granting kids the freedom to construct as they wish.
Mariana Brussoni, a professor at the University of British Columbia, notes that modern Lego kits with predefined structures may restrict imaginative possibilities, potentially reducing their effectiveness as developmental tools. She expresses concerns that the latest smart products could impose similar limitations by guiding children towards specific play scenarios, like hearing a helicopter sound from a brick restricting alternative uses beyond helicopter-related play.
Dr. Jillian Roberts, an educational psychology professor at the University of Victoria, views toys that divert kids from screens and promote real-life interactions positively. However, she cautions that these toys may not be suitable for children with sensory sensitivities like autism spectrum disorder or photosensitive epilepsy, advising parents to consider their child’s sensory needs.
The new smart toys are scheduled for release on March 1, with pre-orders starting this Friday on Lego’s website. Priced at $69.99 US for a Darth Vader-themed set and $89.99 US for a set featuring Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, these products offer advanced features at premium prices.