The littlest tattoo artist?

by Kristin Darguzas (Subscribe to Kristin Darguzas's posts) Nov 19th 2006 6:00PM

Boing Boing featured a post today on an interesting new toy: the GR8 TaT2 Maker.

The faux tattoo set encourages set-up of a pretend play tattoo parlor, and includes stencils and pens for "realistic" (but washable) designs. From the look of the accompanying picture, the toy is marketed to pre-teens.

I'm probably in the minority, but I actually don't have a problem with tattoos, or with tattoo artistry as a very respectable trade. I think tattoos can be beautiful and meaningful, but only if you are not 9 years old, for the love of Pete. There is a reason (needles, permanence) that you must be an adult to get a tattoo, and I see this as no different as a Getting Drunk Make Believe Kit or a Smoke Cigarettes for the Rush board game. On the other hand, kids play pretend Doctor and House and like to make believe about adulthood in general, perhaps this is just one more harmless deviation on that theme.

What do you think? Would you let your kid play "tattoos"?

Via Neatorama

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Comments (11)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Uly 11-20-2006 @ 9:19PM

I think that if I have nothing against something, I don't compare it to "getting drunk" or "smoking cigarettes for the rush".

It follows that I suspect *you* have something against tattoos, and more so on kids. There's nothing wrong with that, we all have our views.

Kristin 11-19-2006 @ 7:11PM

Uly, actually, maybe I worded it poorly.

I meant to convey that Getting Drunk and Smoking Cigarettes (I drink socially and used to smoke) should be an *adult* activity.

I do not have a problem with tattoos, in fact I like them.

Kellie 11-19-2006 @ 7:50PM

I would totally let my kid.

Michelle 11-19-2006 @ 9:22PM

I hope my kids don't get tattoos. I like to look at them, but they are expressly prohibited in Judaism. I also think that they're so overrated and trendy now. It was perhaps more exciting when just bikers and convicts had them. I'm waiting for the amputation trend to take off. (kidding, of course)

Stacy B 11-19-2006 @ 9:44PM

I don't see anything wrong with this set...seems fun. Actually, I wouldn't mind playing with it myself : ) Most children like temporary tattoos & coloring so this combines the two. I think if they are old enough for this toy, then they are probably old enough to recognize the difference between pretend play and reality, between pretend tattoos and real tattoos. Just as playing with a doctor kit doesn't make it any more likely that a child would enjoy going to the real doctor for real injections, lol!

Belinda 11-19-2006 @ 10:16PM

I like tats as long as you don't get something stupid like someone else's name on you that is NOT BLOOD family. Like my fiance want's to put my name and our daughter's name in a heart with a rose. Our daughter's name sounds great but I don't like him doing my name and I voiced my opinion, but he said it is his body and I am his soulmate end of story. While I KNOW and believe him, I still do NOT feel comfortable putting his name on my body and he said it is okay, but I will be doing a tattoo of our daughter's name with her birthday.

I have a friend that has her EX boyfriend's name tatooed on her thigh, her EX, now she is working with an artist to see what she can do to cover it up!

Other then that I think they are great, but as for the tattoo TOY, I think it should be marketed towards teens (like 15 and up) that have an interest in being a tatoo artist!?

southerncharm 11-19-2006 @ 10:57PM

I see kids all the time at amusement parks getting "airbrush" tatts with parents standing right there. I don't have a problem with "pretend" tattoos on kids. That' just my thoughts.

Amee 11-19-2006 @ 11:43PM

Kids always play as grownups; if they see adults getting drunk & disorderly, or smoking for the rush, they'll play it with or without a kit.

The only way to make these things a positive modeling experience for them is direct communication:

1. Real tattoos hurt. They have to break the skin. You'll bleed and have to put disinfectant on it until it heals. It'll only be fun if the design is worth it.

2. Real tattoos can't (easily) be changed. You can either get something so inoffensive as to be uninspiring, or you'll limit your social acceptance.

3. Anything you can do with real tattoos, you can do with fake ones, only temporarily. I'd say if something is worth getting touched up regularly, with extra care to keep it the same, it might warrant tattooing.

But even as an adult, I want the opportunity of variation. I like being able to take on the persona and role I want at any given moment. There are only a few things I consistently think about getting tattooed, and they're all symbolic of deeper beliefs.

I don't want to tattoo for fun, and have the novelty wear off and leave the ink, when I can simply get henna and have them fade at the same time.

If you can communicate these things to your kids, and listen to their viewpoints without the temptation to invalidate, play of this sort should be little issue. If not, I think there's bigger problems than the toy in question.

("you" in this comment is used in the indirect sense, meaning anybody.)

Ginny 11-20-2006 @ 12:28PM

I just don't know HOW I feel about this one. My kids love temporary tattoos. Their dad has MANY tattoos. I love (SOME) of my DH's tattoos, but I don't want one myself. I think I'd be disappointed if my kids got tattoos when they grew up. Not sure if a toy like this would encourage them to want tattoos or if I should even be worried about it. I wonder why I am even replying. lol

baggage 11-21-2006 @ 6:31PM

I would absolutely let my kids. Drinking and smoking are drugs. A tattoo isn't. Totally different thing. It's no different than a game where you pretend to drive a car.

christine rossi 12-10-2006 @ 10:51PM

Well being as my husband is a Sucsesful/Well Paid Amazing Tattoo ARTIST I feel like this is really cool that my children get the opportunity to pretend like daddy !! If kids can play fireman and cops with guns why cant they pretend to be an artist!

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