Toy fair brings a world to children

Khilona, a three-day toys and game fair that took place in Greater Noida from August 18-20, brought together over 150 businesses of the toy industry, with artisans, painters and manufacturers of toys showcasing their wares.

The second edition of the fair, organised with the help of Ministry of Textiles and Ministry of MSME, showcased a special collection of hand-made and regional toys across 12 segments, covering 24 product categories.

The fair featured a range of toys from different states of India such as Assam, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh besides those from private enterprises.

The variety from states included toys made of wood, leather and terracotta.

There were also children’s play accessories, robotics and soft toys along with other categories.

The expo also included other necessities for children and homes such as picture story books, art books, home décor and furniture specifically made for children. Many things related to schools and classrooms were also available in the expo.

Govind Bhat, who hails from Jaipur and had a stall, said, “Making toys is traditional work in our family and has passed down through generations. It is a family business which I’ve been a part of since childhood. We make a variety of puppets, other decorative materials and toys, all on our own. I also teach kids and other people the process of making puppets and I want to continue this forever. It is a small effort to keep alive our tradition and we hope to carry this on to the next generation.”

Niharika Pathak, founder of Rhythm Rumble, also showcased her products at the exhibition.

“Our range of toys comes under the ‘fun tantra’ category. It’s a new category for us as we started making them just two months ago. Here, we provide toys specifically made for brain development and motor movements of the child. All our toys are made of wood and no plastic is used in the process. It makes them eco-friendly. We provide three levels of toys starting from the infants — from 11 months to 18 months — and going up to kids of four years. Our toys are meant for educational purposes only. We have been in contact with several schools too.”

Akshita Bhatia came to the expo from west Delhi’s Rajouri Garden, along with her children.

“I got the knowledge of this toy expo from a pamphlet. I thought it is an opportunity for the kids to explore new toys, since a variety of toys are available here. As a parent, I always focus on the educational factor of the toy. Therefore, I think traditional toys like puzzles are important for children to develop themselves.”

The timings of the expo are from 10 am till 6 pm. The nearest metro station is Knowledge Park-⅓ metro station on the Aqua Line.