Two State Duma deputies shared glimpses into what their children enjoy during playtime, offering a mix of everyday family life and concerns about the toys and devices that accompany modern youngsters. Tatyana Butskaya noted that her sons gravitate toward football and a Danish Lego set, while Vitaly Milonov described his children’s tastes as a blend of digital games, familiar brands, and classic toys. This window into private moments reveals how parenting choices intersect with public policy debates about childhood, technology, and culture.
Butskaya explains that the elder child has exhausted many toys over the years. When he was younger, his favorite pastime was playing football, and as he grew, he received a late introduction to a computer and a phone. Yet the ball remained central to his world for a long period, and he eventually progressed to a higher level of football through a local sports school, earning a second category in senior football. The story emphasizes a serious, athletic pathway that shaped the boy’s early development. The younger sibling preferred Lego blocks, and the family notes that Legos were a common thread for all the children before they discovered new lines from Russian designers. This shift signals both nostalgia for traditional building toys and optimism about emerging domestic toy design that could add depth and character to playtime. The deputy believes there is room to evolve the blocks themselves, to infuse them with more personality and soul, suggesting a constructive, hopeful path for local manufacturing and design.
Butskaya adds a clear stance on smart toys and devices that simulate friendship. She argues that while technology can be entertaining, it should not replace human interaction or become a child’s primary confidant. The concern centers on toys that respond to children or engage in conversations as if they were real friends. In her view, such experiences can blur the boundary between play and genuine relationships, potentially leading to an overreliance on artificial companions. She advocates for a simple, comforting toy that stays close to reality: a white bear that a child can cuddle and trust, rather than virtual beings that imitate companionship. She believes no augmented reality or chatty toy can substitute the warmth of a real connection, and she urges parents to preserve those tangible, traditional comforts in a child’s life. The emphasis here is on safeguarding the innocence of early friendships and ensuring that imagination remains grounded in human presence, not in digital simulations.
Vitaly Milonov, a state deputy and a father of five, described a home where technology and childhood curiosities coexist with familiar favorites. He recalls that the eldest daughter uses a shark figure from IKEA as a study buddy, completing homework with the toy nearby. The youngest meanwhile is drawn to characters from the Disney film Frozen, with the family noting affection for the franchise. The sons show a keen interest in cars and football, often aligning with contemporary gaming culture. Milonov observes a broad age range in his children, from five to fourteen, which naturally translates to varied interests and different patterns of play. The eldest daughter’s diligent homework routine includes the shark or dolphin from IKEA, sometimes positioned in a way that supports concentration. The youngest daughter is captivated by Elsa from Frozen, a character she admires even though the parent acknowledges not having watched the film himself. Equally, the middle child gravitates toward the snowman and related figures, while the sons increasingly engage with football through both computer and console play, anticipating the release of the next FIFA edition. The family portrait reflects a household where traditional toys and modern entertainment cohabit, with each child pursuing their own blend of play, study, and sport.
Milonov also notes that the children’s ages influence how much time they spend on different activities. The older ones tend to focus less on toys and more on tasks that demand concentration, but gaming remains a shared hobby across the siblings. The parental perspective highlights common tensions for families today: balancing screen time with physical activity, academic responsibilities, and imaginative play. It frames a broader conversation about how to cultivate healthy habits when digital platforms and branded toys offer immediate gratification and social connection. The deputy’s reflections point toward a practical approach to parenting in an age where entertainment is highly personalized, yet still accountable to the family’s values and priorities.
Experts in child development have repeatedly weighed in on how families can prevent overreliance on gadgets. Psychologists emphasize setting boundaries that encourage physical activity, social interaction, and hands-on creativity. They recommend structured play times, unplugged zones in the home, and a diverse mix of activities that satisfy curiosity without turning devices into central friends. The aim is to help children develop resilience, problem-solving skills, and meaningful relationships outside the digital sphere. Adoption of varied toys, outdoor play, and cooperative games can foster teamwork and imagination, while mindful attitudes toward technology help protect attention spans and emotional well-being. This broader guidance resonates with the deputies’ concerns about toys that simulate companionship, urging a careful balance between innovative products and enduring, human-centered play experiences.