I was fortunate to have been invited to a special toy preview event in New York, where I got to see dozens of new toys for the holiday shopping season. It was held in a large event space that accommodated hundreds of guests.
While standing around chatting with several other journalists, I heard someone shout, "DUCK!" Why is it that, as soon as we hear "DUCK!" we do just the opposite? We look UP! What's with that? I digress.
Anyway, it turned out that an orange-vested representative of Interactive Toy was demonstrating its new Duck Hunter toy. Duck Hunter features a large, flapping duck that flies around in circles for 30 seconds, or until the hunter gets three direct hits with the included handgun.
The bird flapped and flew, ducked and dived, scattering toy-industry professionals like bowling pins. I found myself posed like Tippi Hedron in The Birds!
At first, my "mother-of-a-4-year-old" voice rang in my head and I felt like shouting, "Outdoor toys are for OUTDOORS!" Then I found a place to stand (a safe distance from the mayhem) and I have to confess that it made my day. It was hilarious!
Unsuspecting grownups, deep in conversation, furiously texting, or simply crossing the room were finding themselves ducking for cover like they were in the middle of a 1951 air-raid drill.
While my kids (and yes, my husband) would love the Duck Hunter toy, I'm going to pass. The simple enjoyment I got from watching that demo is enough wing-flapping hilarity for me.
Photo © Interactive Toy
Would you buy a toy like this for your kids?
It sounds fun to watch, and try, as an adult. I’m not convinced we need to be encouraging our kids to “play” at shooting ducks.