Ads for toys and games are particularly prevalent during the holidays. The stores are overflowing with toys. How many of these toys and games encourage violence?
Collect or write down the names of at least ten toys/games that are war or violence related (you can go to a toy store, use a catalog, or go to a toy website on the Internet).
Describe each toy/game. What kind of play does each encourage? What values does each reflect? Why are war toys/games so popular? What problems do you think there are with war toys/games? Is it all right to play war? How might this make you think about the world and resolving conflicts? How have toys and games changed over the years (children can ask parents and grandparents)? What's the difference between a violent and nonviolent toy/game? Why is it important to have toys and games that encourage peace?
Choose a toy or game and redesign it to make it nonviolent. Draw the new toy/game on a sheet of paper. Describe the new toy/game in words. What are some of the problems you encounter in redesigning the toy/game?
