Cross-posted on Fussbucket

Santa's going to have to be mighty careful sliding down the chimney this year. According to this article in the NY Times,  tech toys such as laptops, cell phones, digital cameras, and MP3 players are dominating the wish list this season.

Toy makers and retailers are filling shelves with new tech devices for children ages 3 and up, and sometimes even down. They say they are catering to junior consumers who want to emulate their parents and are not satisfied with fake gadgets.

Jim Silver, editor of Toy Wishes magazine and an industry analyst for 24 years, said there had been "a huge jump in the last 12 months" in toys that involve looking at a screen, the article says. "The bigger toy companies don’t even call it the toy business anymore," Mr. Silver said. "They’re in the family entertainment business and the leisure business. What they’re saying is, ‘We’re vying for kids’ leisure time.’ "

Leisure time? How grand! I didn't even know my kids had leisure time. Does that come before or after snack time? What about nap time? How about temper tantrum time? Boy kids really are over-scheduled these days.