BARBIE AND BARNEY BACKLASH DAY
On December 16th, Barbie and Barney Backlash Day allows parents to take a vacation from all the repetitive sing-a-longs and storytelling.
#BarbieAndBarneyBacklashDay
While Barbie and Barney aren’t the only toys and television shows of childhood, these two do strike a nerve from time to time. The day permits parents to turn off the annoying cartoons and songs. Parents may insist on a different book to read at bedtime. Put away the noisy toys. If you dare.
Sheryl Leach created Barney & Friends in 1987. The show first aired on PBS in 1992 and was aimed at children ages 1 to 8 years old. The friendly, purple tyrannosaurus rex dinosaur sang and danced many of his educational messages. While children adored Barney, many adults found him disturbing. Despite the adults’ feelings, Barney & Friends aired for 14 seasons, plus reruns.
Barbie’s full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts, and Ruth Handler created the fashion doll. In 1961, Mattel introduced Ken Carson, Barbie’s boyfriend. Interestingly, Barbie was one of the first toys to have a marketing strategy based extensively on television advertising. Estimates place over a billion Barbie dolls have been sold worldwide in over 150 countries.
Often, Barbie is criticized for being an unattainable ideal of a woman. Her figure alone is unrealistic. Over the years, Barbie evolved both in style and shape. In 2019, the Barbie brand honored pioneering women across several eras, as well.
HOW TO OBSERVE BARBIE AND BARNEY BACKLASH DAY
Purge your feelings of annoyance for sing-song children’s shows and games. Remember, the popular toys of the day do change from generation to generation. Try these tips to celebrate the day:
- Make a list of all the Barney characters who aren’t purple dinosaurs. For example, Barney Rubble, Barney Fife, and Barney Miller.
- Create a doll that represents the kind of person you want your child to see as a role model.
- Sing a song that won’t become an earworm like the purple dino’s song does. “Paradise City” by Guns n’ Roses should do the trick.
What annoying song, book, or toy would your child play on repeat? Use #BarbieAndBarneyBacklashDay to post on social media.
BARBIE AND BARNEY BACKLASH DAY HISTORY
Thomas and Ruth Roy at Wellcat.com created Barbie and Barney Backlash Day.
Barney and Barbie FAQ
Q. When did Barbie debut?
A. Mattel, Inc. and Ruth Handler debuted Barbie at the American International Toy Fair on March 9, 1959.
Q. Where did Barbie get her name?
A. Creator, Ruth Handler, named Barbie after her daughter Barbara.
Q. When did Barney debut?
A. The human-sized purple dinosaur debuted on PBS on April 6, 1992.
Q. Who created Barney?
A. Sheryl Leach, a former school teacher and marketing executive created the human-sized t-rex.
