This article was originally published with the title “ Kids Need Better Places to Play ” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 329 No. 1 (July/August 2023), p. 6 doi:10.1038 ...

The slow-blinking, fuzzy robots on stage — a cast of singing characters known as Munch's Make Believe Band — have been a fixture of the kids play place since Chuck E. Cheese opened in 1977.