We previously discussed how hobby games have gone mainstream, and as further evidence look no further than Wendy's, fast-food chain in the U.S. that has included a very basic form of role-play in its kid meals as part of its "Creative Revolution."
Welcome to the Creative Revolution
Wendy's Creative Revolution for kids goes back at least two years to 2015, in which kids' meals included creative ways for kids to play with the included toys. These toys are refreshingly not branded, a way around a company's challenges of finding branding partners. For a comparison of just how branded fast food toys can be, Burger King features Dreamworks' Trolls, Captain D features Kung Fu Panda, Carl's Jr. and Hardee's include Surf's Up and The Nut Job, and Subway has Boss Baby toys. The most recent kids' meals are of particular interest to prospective role-players, positioned as part of the Maker Movement:
The adventure includes a royal court, enchanted forest, high seas, undersea kingdom, ice mountain, and mystic jungle. There's an additional supplement that details how to create dioramas, finger puppets, a storytime basket, felt storyboard, family photo storytelling, and storytelling cards. There are even storybook theater board books for kids under 3 to help toddlers tell stories.
Why It Matters
The benefits of role-play for children are numerous. Telling a story or taking on a role develops communication skills, allows them to experiment in a safe environment, develop empathy by putting themselves in someone else's shoes, and learn how to express themselves. This is important for child development:
As the inventor of the Erector Set, Dr. A.C. Gilbert said, toys are valuable learning tools that:
Wendy's kids meals introduce the basic elements of tabletop play -- a fantasy setting, miniatures, and storytelling -- to children who might not otherwise be exposed to this sort of play. These are all skills adult gamers exercise in their hobby of choice every day. And that's very good news for the future of role-playing games.
Welcome to the Creative Revolution
Wendy's Creative Revolution for kids goes back at least two years to 2015, in which kids' meals included creative ways for kids to play with the included toys. These toys are refreshingly not branded, a way around a company's challenges of finding branding partners. For a comparison of just how branded fast food toys can be, Burger King features Dreamworks' Trolls, Captain D features Kung Fu Panda, Carl's Jr. and Hardee's include Surf's Up and The Nut Job, and Subway has Boss Baby toys. The most recent kids' meals are of particular interest to prospective role-players, positioned as part of the Maker Movement:
Each Kids’ Meal packs in one of six different worlds, just waiting for your child to create their own adventures! Each Create Your Adventure kit features a pop-out story theater setting and comes with tons of fun characters, creatures and props to build and play with. Collect and connect the sets together for even more fun. What stories will your kids’ imaginations create next?
Why It Matters
The benefits of role-play for children are numerous. Telling a story or taking on a role develops communication skills, allows them to experiment in a safe environment, develop empathy by putting themselves in someone else's shoes, and learn how to express themselves. This is important for child development:
Imaginative and creative play is a more natural way for children to learn about the world and does involve the whole body. Children manipulate and touch various play materials. They express themselves through play both verbally and non-verbally. They use all of their muscles and senses to move around. Actively using their large and small muscles as well as their different senses in play, children develop healthy, strong, and complete neurological connections in their brains.
...showed the long-term effects of fostering inventiveness, creativity, ingenuity, and problem solving abilities. Gilbert told Congress that we must take care of our current human resources, “our children,” for the perpetuity of American ingenuity and the value of learning.