The GUIDE does a round-up of the city's toy libraries which offer fun toys and books available at an economical rate and help children develop various skills
While the word ‘library’ usually conjures images of a roomful of books, there are also another kind of libraries, one where toys and puzzles take centrestage.
We are talking about the erstwhile American concept of a toy library which is slowly becoming a fixture across the city. These libraries are targetted at kids who are aged six months to 12 years. Kids can borrow the toys for a day or a week and return them once they areu00a0bored of it.
ADVERTISEMENT
Representation pic
Prajkata Upadhya, founder of Mindgym, a toy library in the city, admits that the best part of running a toy library is to witness the excitement and joy that kids experience when they spot a toy that they love. Upadhya adds that kids enjoy their toys for a short span of time following which they are relegated to the corner of the house. “At Mindgym, we follow a better route; kids get to play with what they like and when they get bored, they can exchange it for
a new one.”
Mindgym has a range of amazing puzzles which are suitable for one year old kids as well and they educate as well as help the children develop various skills. Check out the wooden hammer game for kids that infants can play to develop the skill of holding something in their hand and hitting it.
Mindgym in Pune. Pics/ Krunal Gosaviu00a0
There are also musical games, bicycles and soft toys which are popular among the younger kids, 3D books, picture and musical books. The fees start from '300 onwards for a month. Mindgym has more than 85 members at the moment.
Such libraries are also a godsent for busy parents and are economical over the long run. At certain places, the toys and books are selected after consulting the kids.
Nutan Gala, founder of the two-year-old Unnati Books and Toy Library, states that they specialise in wooden and imported toys. There are flash card games for kids and they boast of more than 150 members.
Mamta Kandula, who runs the Shanti Juniors Toy Library in the city, said that they have toys for kids upto the age of eight; the toys are mostly educational. “We also do home delivery of the toys and bring them back within a 10-15 km radius,” she adds. Charges start from '500 for
a month.
From 10 am to 2 pm; 4 pm to 8 pm (Thursdays off); at Mindgym, Dhanganaga —Ganga Dham Phase 1, Marketyard; call 24248484
At Unnati Books and Toys Library, Nisarg City 2, near Kalewadi Phata, opposite Hotel Ambience, Kaspate Wasti Road, Wakad.
At Shantijuniors, Kamal Baugh Housing Society, near Wagheshwar Temple, Pune Nagar Road, Wagholi.
log on to www.shantijuniors.com
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
