Re-Envisioning Products for Children

The market for baby and children products is a competitive industry. Parents are smart consumers, who demand for quality, innovative, and safe items. In fact, some manufacturers are disconnected from the needs of its consumers that they continue to create unimaginative and obsolete items for children. This disconnect has frustrated many parents, many of whom end up taking matters into their hands. Fortunately so. Many products are seeing a re-envisioning in their purpose, becoming better and safer products for children. This article will look at two particular items that have been around in society for a long time and undergone change recently: Jewellery and bicycles.

JewelleryJewellery, in all its form and glory, serves as a fashion accessory in society. In relation to babies, jewellery has often adorned children, serving as a cultural, religious, or fashion statements. Nowadays, jewellery for babies can serve as both mum jewellery and teething item for the baby. More important than the fashion statement, the teething accessory (that comes in the form of a necklace or bracelet) is made out of safe materials, and designed to prevent any choking hazard. Free of Bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, lead, cadmium and PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC) plastics, these innovative accessories are safe and child-friendly. Every mum (every parent) knows how difficult it is to travel with a teething baby. So, to have something that provides several purposes is an added bonus to the savvy consumer.

Balance BikesLike Jewellery for babies, bicycles have been reimagined from their original concept. Whereas baby teething products were reinvented from fashion items into baby teething soothers – mum jewellery - bikes with training wheels are now the ideal product for teaching children how to bike. The new generation of children are learning how to bike in a different way from their parents. Previous generations learned to ride using training wheels, or through trial and error (getting on a two-wheeled bike straight away). The latter method of training often resulted in several bruises – not to mention a bruised ego – and in some cases, fear and loss of confidence. Although both methods are generally successful in teaching kids how to ride, some entrepreneurs believe that there is a better way. Enter the balance bikes.

Balance bikes have no pedals, no chains, and no training wheels – just two regular wheels. They can be used by toddlers as young as 18 months (those able to walk) and as old as 6 years old. The innovative concept behind balance bikes is that children learn to develop balance and steering prior to pedalling. With the right specifications and features to accommodate the rider, the little one will easily transition into a conventional bike. Additionally, balance bikes are viewed as more safe since its pedal-less, and chain-less features prevent injuries. Most bikes are built with eco-friendly, and non-toxic materials, which is often an added bonus for environmentally conscious consumers. This industry continues to make technological advancements creating bikes that are longer lasting, versatile and fun.