Play, Build, Code: How Toys Are Quietly Raising A Generation Of Tech Minds

By Tari Johnson-Ayodele

   Growing up, I knew very little about technology, and I wasn’t particularly interested in it either. I fall somewhere between Millennials and Gen Z, a generation that experienced life both before and after the internet became mainstream. As a child, there were no iPads or endless online content. My world was made up of dolls, cooking sets, and imaginative play. I didn’t build with puzzles or explore how things worked. My first real interaction with a computer didn’t happen until high school, and it was only later that my dad got one for me and my siblings.

   Today, that experience looks very different for many children. For them, the first introduction to technology doesn’t begin in a classroom, it starts at home, often through play time. Toys are no longer just about entertainment. They are designed to teach, challenge, and develop skills that go far beyond playtime.

   Coding toys, for example, are becoming increasingly common. Simple robots and beginner friendly apps allow children to give instructions, solve problems, and see how commands translate into action. Without even realizing it, they are learning the logic behind programming.

   Building toys like Lego Technic and puzzles also play an important role. They encourage problem solving, patience, and navigation. Children learn how pieces fit together, how systems work, and how to fix things when they don’t go as planned. These are the same foundational skills used in engineering and other tech driven fields.

   Creativity is also evolving through digital play. With drawing apps and beginner game creation platforms, children are no longer just consuming content, they are creating it. This shift builds confidence and introduces them to the idea that they can bring their own ideas to life.

   What makes this shift powerful is how early it begins. Many children are becoming comfortable with technology long before formal education introduces it. They are learning how to navigate systems, think logically, and solve problems simply by playing.

   That early exposure matters. When technology feels familiar, it becomes less intimidating. And when it feels less intimidating, children are more likely to explore it further as they grow.

   The toys children interact with today are doing more than keeping them occupied. They are quietly shaping how they think, what they believe they can do, and how they see their place in an increasingly digital world.

Tap, Order, Cook: How Technology Is Changing Our Food Stories

By Tari Johnson-Ayodele

   When I was younger, I avoided the kitchen as much as possible. On Saturdays, while the other girls in the house helped prepare meals with my mum for the week, I would stay in my room, sometimes pretending to have a stomach ache just to get out of it. My aunties would tease me, joking that I would one day have to call my mum just to learn how to boil water. As funny as it sounded to them, it made me feel uncomfortable and pushed me even further away from cooking.

   Years later, when I moved out for my service year and began living alone, that avoidance caught up with me. I had little to no interest in cooking, so I relied heavily on eating out. At first, it felt convenient and even enjoyable, but it quickly became expensive and unsustainable. Everything changed when I came across a simple cooking video online. It looked easy, approachable, and, for the first time, I didn’t feel pressured. That moment marked the beginning of a new relationship with food, one shaped largely by technology.

   Food has always been a central part of daily life, but the way we cook, order, and experience it has changed significantly. Technology is quietly transforming the food space, making it more accessible, efficient, and even enjoyable for people who once felt intimidated by the kitchen. In the past, preparing meals often relied on family recipes, cookbooks, or word of mouth. Today, a quick search or scroll through social media can provide thousands of step by step recipes within seconds. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram have turned everyday individuals into home chefs, making cooking feel less like a chore and more like a skill anyone can learn. For many people, including those who once avoided the kitchen, these platforms offer a low-pressure way to start.

   Food delivery services have also changed how people eat. Apps like Glovo, Bolt Food, and Chowdeck allow users to order meals from their favorite restaurants without leaving their homes. While this offers convenience, especially for those with busy schedules, it also highlights the balance technology creates between accessibility and lifestyle choices.

   Technology is also improving how people plan and manage their diets. Mobile apps now help users track calorie intake, create meal plans, and monitor nutritional goals. For individuals focused on fitness or healthier living, these tools provide structure and guidance, making it easier to stay consistent.

   In addition, smart kitchen appliances are becoming more common in modern homes. Devices like air fryers, smart ovens, and digital scales simplify cooking by offering precision and ease. Some appliances can even be controlled through mobile apps, allowing users to cook more efficiently and confidently, even with little prior experience. Restaurants and food businesses are also benefiting from technology. Digital payment systems, online ordering platforms, and customer data tools help businesses serve customers more efficiently and understand their preferences better.

   What once felt intimidating can now be learned with a simple video and a bit of patience. As technology continues to evolve, the kitchen is no longer just a place of obligation, it is becoming a space of discovery, convenience, and exploration.

Sweat, Sync, Repeat: How Tech Is Reinventing Fitness

By Tari Johnson-Ayodele

   During the lockdown, everyone was required to stay indoors. This meant that many people became far less active than usual. Those who were fortunate had large compounds where they could move around and exercise, while others were confined to small apartments with very limited space for physical activity.

   I had often come across fitness apps before the pandemic but never really took them seriously until the lockdown began. Like many others, I found myself bored and binge eating. In an effort to stay active, my siblings even built a small local gym with concrete dumbbells and basic equipment. However, I had very little knowledge of gym workouts and was not ready to begin my fitness journey by lifting weights. Instead, I decided to download a fitness app.

   In the past, staying healthy depended largely on personal discipline, gym memberships, and occasional visits to healthcare professionals. Today, people can monitor their health more easily by using fitness apps and other digital tools to support healthier lifestyles. From wearable devices to mobile applications, technology is changing the way individuals approach fitness and overall well being.

   One of the my favourite developments in health technology is the rise of wearable fitness devices. Smartwatches and fitness trackers such as the Apple Watch, Oraimo smartwatch, and Garmin smartwatch can monitor steps, heart rate, calories burned, sleep patterns, and even blood oxygen levels. These devices provide users with real time feedback, helping them better understand their daily activity levels while encouraging healthier habits, such as staying active by setting step goals and drinking more water.

   Mobile fitness apps have also made it easier for people to remain active. Apps like  30 Day Fitness, Lose Weight for Men at Home, and various yoga apps allow users to track workouts, monitor calorie intake, create personalized meal plans, and set fitness goals. Many of these platforms also provide guided workout sessions, making it possible for individuals to exercise at home without needing a personal trainer. In some cases, premium versions of these apps even offer virtual coaching features that simulate having a personal trainer within the app.

   Technology has also made fitness more engaging and motivating. Many apps include social features that allow users to connect with friends, share achievements, and participate in fitness challenges which encourages friendly competition. This sense of community can encourage consistency and make maintaining a healthy routine more enjoyable.

   Online fitness platforms and virtual classes have also become increasingly popular. From yoga and pilates on YouTube to high intensity interval training on 30 Day Fitness, people can now participate in guided workouts from the comfort of their homes. This flexibility allows people with busy schedules to maintain regular exercise routines and work out at their own pace.

   Technology is not replacing traditional healthcare or professional medical guidance, but it is giving people a greater and more personalized control over their health journeys. With the help of fitness apps and virtual fitness videos on YouTube, people can track their progress, stay motivated, and make more informed decisions about their lifestyle. So start your fitness journey today from the comfort of your home.