mart speakers are not only for adults, and Lego is not just an offline building bricks game -- the two have teamed up to provide an interactive experience for very young creators.
This week Lego launched Duplo Stories, an interactive storytelling experience on Amazon Alexa in the US and UK.
Aimed at Duplo lovers, usually aged 2-5, the idea is encourage children to respond and actively engage in stories using the Lego building blocks. Some busy parents may also enjoy this new Alexa skill that reads and interacts with their children when they aren't able to. Using any Alexa device, such as the Amazon Echo or Echo Dot, along with new as well as existing Lego Duplo, children can enjoy one of the 10 available stories, all of which star either an animal or an engine. Each one is designed to encourage the development of different skill sets.
Take for example the story about the train. “The train is ready to start the day but needs refueling before it can leave the station. Help by building a fuel pump. The train starts its journey but must suddenly stop when an animal is about to cross the tracks.”
The brand claims that this particular story will help develop language skills, animal sounds, colors and instructions. Another story about a rabbit puts the emphasis on social skills and roleplay, as well as exploring differences and concept of friendship.
It's probably fair to say that children today are generally more exposed to screens and are spending more time indoors than in the past. So it's not a huge surprise that toy manufacturers are looking for ways to team up with technology to catch the attention of mini tech enthusiasts. And according to the Lego Group, the need for something like Duplo Stories came straight from parents.
“For adults... we see this as a strong opportunity to provide fresh play starter inspiration, which we know they look for. Collaborating with Amazon for an Alexa skill is hence a direct response to the input we get from parents, and we truly look forward to receiving their feedback on this new Alexa skill,” said James Poulter, Head of Emerging Platforms & Partnerships.
