I don’t usually use this blog to voice my personal opinions, but this ad from Toys R Us (which I saw while watching The The Big Bang Theory) sends so many horrible messages that I felt compelled to write in case anyone else wants to join me in my boycott of this company. I thought about embedding the video, but I don’t want that piece of garbage on my blog, so you can use the link above if you want to see. Basically, it features a bunch of bored-looking kids on a bus who think they are going on a field trip to the woods, only to have the trip diverted to the toy store, where they can pick out anything they want. Joy ensues. So, now we have learned that:
- Nature is boring.
- Educational field trips are boring.
- A toy store is better.
- The best (only) way to make kids really happy is to give them toys.
And, of course, the toys shown were not the ones we’d really like to see our kids play with – LEGOs, K’nects, craft kits, science kits, even a simple doll or a truck. Anything that requires some imagination, thinking, or creativity. Nope, just the brightly colored plastic crap associated with TV show/movie brands.I get that they need to show toys in a positive light; it is a commercial, after all. But why knock nature? What is even the point of that? Kids like nature, and the vast majority of them would love a field trip to the woods. And it seems to me that love and respect for nature is a value we should foster in our children, not one we should try to extinguish. I think they could have made their point and left the trees out of it.
Marlie Strosnider says
October 25, 2013 at 7:37 pmI thought the exact same thing last night when I was watching that commercial. I was so annoyed how they portrayed educational trips.
Susanna Westby says
October 25, 2013 at 8:57 pmVery poor taste for a lot of reasons. Glad to see most of the people who commented seem to understand that and agree.
Susanna
Whimsy Workshop Teaching
Pam DAlessandro says
October 25, 2013 at 10:35 pmThat ad is terrible and misleading. I know many kids would love to go on a field trip to explore a forest. I think many would pick the field trip rather than a toys. I don't shop at toys r us but feel the same way you do. Pam
I am Bullyproof Music - Lessia Bonn says
October 25, 2013 at 10:46 pmI will never buy anything at Toys R Us EVER again. What a trashy horrible company.
Laura Candler says
October 25, 2013 at 11:26 pmI couldn't believe that commercial. Thanks for posting this. Toys R Us is way out of touch and I think they are going to see a huge backlash from this commercial. I don't shop at the store anyway because I don't have any small children to shop for right now, but it would definitely make me think twice if I did!
Anonymous says
October 26, 2013 at 1:49 amI don't understand how a toy commercial can be so misinterpreted. I knew that reading this before I watched the video would condition my brain to see things how you portrayed them, so I watched the video first. Needless to say, it was a video about children getting toys.
And about "And of course, the toys shown were not the ones we'd really like to see our kids play with – LEGOs, K'nects, craft kits, science kits, even a simple doll or truck. Anything that requires some imagination, thinking, or creativity. Nope, just the brightly colored plastic crap associated with TV show/movie brands." You must have missed the part where they said that the children can pick whatever toy they want. This thread doesn't need to exist.
BRITTANY GABREL says
October 26, 2013 at 2:59 amThis ad made me feel like these children were underprivileged maybe they dont get to pick out toys on a regular basis! Especially when the boy said "I feel like I'm going to cry…" My family loves Toys R Us!
Anonymous says
October 26, 2013 at 3:07 amWow – I just thought it was a toy commercial. I guess some people take their "commercial viewing" very seriously.
SonjaD says
October 26, 2013 at 3:20 amThat's crazy! The best thing for kids is getting outside. Sometimes when my kids are going crazy inside, the simple act of going for a walk through a nearby forest sets the rest of the day onto a better path!
Second-grade-alicious says
October 26, 2013 at 12:09 pmWOW I had not seen this advertisement yet but that's awful! Thanks for bringing this to light.
Guess where I won't be doing my Xmas shopping?!
Michelle Williams says
October 26, 2013 at 1:06 pmCompanies really don't understand the power of advertisement and an educator's struggle to engage students.
Donna Groves says
October 26, 2013 at 1:41 pmI do not like how they made school trips seem, but I think that they did not mean to attack school trips. I challenge Toys R Us to find schools like mine where kids do not take school trips because there is no money in the budget and take every class on a phenomenal and educational school trip!
Kate says
October 26, 2013 at 7:50 pmThank you!!! I can list a few more reasons not to shop there, but I won't. That ad is a slap in the face for teachers who are constantly working to inspire young learners to explore their natural surroundings. There isn't a toy in that store that comes close to what a child can experience by taking a hike through a beautiful forest. Thanks for speaking your mind on your blog and Facebook. I hope the company takes notice.
-Kate
Kate's Classroom Cafe
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Anonymous says
October 26, 2013 at 11:17 pmI've always said "give a kid a stick and he/she can play for hours." I wish Toys R Us would sponsor some field trips for schools that have NO money in the budget for any field trips. My system cut out Community Based Instruction for all but high school special ed students. I agree with you Rachel.
Sharron Callahan says
October 27, 2013 at 5:17 pmI completely agree with you, Rachel. I've been fortunate to have students every year who love or learn to love nature and all it has to offer. It would break my heart if a commercial like this would make them feel negatively toward the world around them. If nature field trips are boring, YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG!
To Anonymous who said " I guess some people take their "commercial viewing" very seriously." Yes- they are called children. No one takes commercials more seriously than children.