Many parents aren't quite sold on the newest Little Tikes toys collection, which ditches the company's signature palette of bright colors for neutral hues.
The Little Tikes Cloud Collection, which launches Sept. 15, is aimed at allowing parents "to create inviting play spaces that fit within the colors and design of every home without sacrificing the fun kids love," the company said in a news release
."The collection was designed with both children and parents in mind, and responds to the growing popularity of neutral, design-conscious children's products," Little Tikes said.
The collection includes the brand's popular riding toys, wagons and basketball hoops, but instead of red, blue and yellow, they are white, gray and beige.
On social media,
many users were quick to call out the line as part of a wider social media trend of "beige moms," a term for parents who curate their children's toys and clothes with exclusively neutral colors. But others approved of the collection, noting the toned-down colors could be beneficial for some people.
Here's what to know, including when and where the toys can be purchased, and how consumers are feeling about it.
When and where to get Little Tikes' neutral toy collection
The Little Tikes Cloud Collection is set to launch exclusively on Amazon on Tuesday, Sept. 15. Here's what's included:
- Cozy Coupe
- Cozy Truck
- Easy Store Jr. Play Table
- Garden Chairs
- TotSports Easy Score Basketball Set
- Lil' Wagon
- Jr. Explorer Wagon
Some parents say 'kids need color' after new Little Tikes collection
Many expressed their dislike of the neutral collection in comments on Little Tikes' social media pages.
"Mom here! this is awful & depressing, kids need color!" one person wrote on TikTok, while another commented, "Nothing says childhood like 47 shades of oatmeal."
On Instagram, commenters similarly criticized the dreariness of the tones.
"Why are we taking color out of kid’s lives??" one user commented.
"Sad beige baby toys. Babies need color in their lives! Sad beige parents sucking out all the fun," said another.
After the widespread response, Little Tikes added a new comment on its Instagram post clarifying that the collection is not replacing the brand's toys in classic colors.
"The Cloud Collection is simply a new option for families who love a softer palette," it said.
Little Tikes neutral toys may not be practical, some point out
Aside from aesthetic, some social media users emphasized that the neutral toys may not be practical for many families.
"White will show every spec of dirt," one Facebook commenter said.
An Instagram user pointed out the same, writing, "Does this not get so dirty so fast? Does it come with a special cleaning product maybe?"
Some kids may even take it upon themselves to decorate the toys, others pointed out.
"Every kid, 'oh look, a giant coloring page!'" wrote an Instagram commenter.
Colorless toys celebrated by some: 'I hate stuff not matching'
But not all social media users disapproved of the new Little Tikes collection.
One Instagram commenter said the company's lineup is "speaking my language," while another wrote they "need all of this."
Facebook user Courtney Mohler posted in defense of the collection, writing, "When it comes to huge plastic toys that sit out in my house 24/7? The overstimulation is real, and I hate stuff not matching."
Another Instagram account also pointed out that the collection can be an inclusive option for some children.
"There are tons of special needs kids that get sensory overload - this is a great option for them," they wrote.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Little Tikes collection goes beige. Not everyone's playing along
