Page 12 - Craftcil Aug & Sep 2023

feature -2nd Khilona-India Toys & Games Fair

Mumtree from Haridwar is Delhi based Salasar Toys
owned by a parent couple who went showcased products from their
on the mission to revolutionize the brandname, Webbytoys,
way toys are perceived for 360 comprising art & craft, blocks,
degrees development of kids. They doll houses, early toys, games,
founded Mumtree in 2021 to play tents, plush toys, puzzles,
inculcate critical skills in early-age STEM kits and slides.
kids with toys designed to inculcate STEM Toys - Manufacturers in India respond to growing
cognitive and fine motor skills, demand with engaging product lines
social & emotional development as
Seemingly overnight, and almost by necessity, toys have
well as communication.
become teachers and the variety that is available has made
Zvata Studios from Chennai believe children actually love the challenging and engaging features of
in making unconventional, educational toys. Manufacturers are making most of the
innovative and experiential board games for all ages. They opportunity and evidently so, as the scholastic toy market has
offered play-way learning kits with books, games and activities; exploded in recent years, with some researchers estimating more
strategy games for age-groups ranging from 4+ years to adults. than $100 billion in sales globally by 2028. Some of these

manufacturers were among exhibitors at the fair.
Toy Collector at the Fair
The upwards trend is partly due to fast growing
popularity of STEM (science, technology,
Among exhibitors was a toy
engineering, and mathematics) toys that rose to
collector with a display that
renewed eminence during the pandemic to become
transcends time and gives an
a must in the learning ecosystem for children and
opportunity to see the rich heritage
parents alike. The global toy industry really did
and culture of Indian toys right from
respond to that demand. STEM toys have a growing
the Harrapan era. He has an 8500
presence in toy stores and online; scientific toys, a
years old toy amongst his oldest, a
subset of the STEM category, have grown
doll that has medicinal properties
consistently over the past three years to contribute
and toys made from wood acquired
substantially to annual toy sales.
from the salt plains of Kutch. These
toys are anti-bacterial and anti- The market is expected to observe significant
inflammatory. The exhibitor, Mr. growth because of the emergence of robotics, STEM-
Chandrasekhar Patil owns a based courses, the need for cognitive and mental
collection of about 400 toys from development, and the rise in millennial spending
all over the country including from for nostalgia - all these with inclination towards
Rajasthan, Bengal, Kashmir, etc. sustainability. India is estimated to be the fastest-
made from different raw-materials like terracotta, wood, papier machie, growing market among the major economies as it is
etc. There are toys made from semiprecious stones, gold, silver, ivory, etc. home to the youngest population in the world.
He calls himself an artist conservator who also runs a Museum in Baroda, Manufacturers here are responding enthusiastically
Gujarat. “I have historical pieces like toys from World War I and the East and their product lines speak for themselves.
India company which I have personally restored and put on display,” he Khilona-India Toys & Games Fair brought together
said. many of them including start-ups with commendable

12 CRAFTCIL • August-September 2023