I have doubts that as parents we fall for this stuff as easily as the toy companies believe. In some ways I’d suggest it’s a game of don’t-ask-don’t-tell; We buy the toys because we think they are good toys. Or — more likely — we buy the toys because our kids think they are good toys. Sure, we read the product claims on the side, maybe react somewhere between a disbelieving laugh and approving nod, thinking ‘well, what could it hurt…’ Sure. But then like every other aspect of skeptical bunk-busting, there ARE true believers, particularly when said claims go beyond vague promises of infant development.

And she probably learned it all from me, too…

You probably don’t need this stuff, but… hey, it’s DARWIN!

What do you say…

At about ten bucks the average family can buy a couple volumes.

…because free time is quite rare when you’re a dad.

The toy did not make any outrageous claims about its own educational value. It just came in a neat little package as if to say, this toy is so cool who cares if it teaches anything because its just freaking insects for kids.

Please, introduce yourself and give me a some feedback on some of the suggestions below.

Apparently, modern rubber ducks are quite impressive. Hmmm?