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In the digital age, kids need more than toys. The right gifts can spark curiosity, boost creativity, and engage them in playful learning.
The best gifts combine fun with curiosity, creativity, or skill-building. (Image: AI-gnerated)
Buying a gift for a toddler or young child is never easy. Their favourites change almost every other day, and most of the time, to wrap up the task quickly, we end up picking a big, colourful toy that makes sounds or flashes lights. It feels like the safe choice—but is it always the best one?
Buying for children growing up surrounded by screens in today’s digital age is even more challenging. Many argue that too much exposure to devices makes kids less active or cuts them off from the real world. But I don’t fully agree. I believe it’s not all bad—if anything, there’s a silver lining. The right kind of play can use the same curiosity that screens spark and channel it into learning.
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A Chance Discovery At The World Book Fair
In February this year, while wandering through the World Book Fair in Delhi, I noticed a stall buzzing with parents and children alike. Out of curiosity, I walked over to see what had caught everyone’s attention.
To my delight, the stall showcased learning tools designed to make education playful. As an education enthusiast, I was fascinated. These weren’t ordinary toys—they blended creativity with tech, and that intrigued me.
Since my niece, who had just turned three, had a birthday coming up, I immediately thought of her. Like most kids of her generation, she is surrounded by screens, tapping away at smartphones with surprising ease. I wanted to give her something equally engaging but more meaningful—something that sparked learning while keeping playfulness intact.
At the stall, I found a set of scrolls that could be pasted on the wall at a child’s height. Each scroll featured outlines—shapes, alphabets, animals, body parts, and playful caricatures. With the crayons included, kids could colour freely, and the scrolls could be wiped clean with a damp cloth, ready to be used again.
In short, kids could scribble on the walls without parents panicking.
But here’s what made it truly special—the scrolls came with QR codes. Scanning them on a phone would trigger poems or rhymes related to the objects drawn. It was a smart mix of traditional colouring and interactive tech, bringing the joy of play and learning together.
Why It Changed My Perspective
Watching my niece scribble elephants on the scroll and then dance to a rhyme about them made me realise something important: screens aren’t the enemy. The problem is the lack of equally engaging alternatives.
Children are quick learners. You’ve probably seen toddlers instinctively skip YouTube ads or navigate to the next video without anyone teaching them. They’re naturally curious, and technology, if woven into playful learning, can amplify that curiosity instead of stifling it.
My Guide To Picking The Right Gift
Through this incident, I’ve come up with a simple approach when buying gifts for kids:
Observe their interests. Kids’ favourites change every day—from parrots to mops—but some patterns are consistent. Think about what engages them naturally. Scribbling, building, or storytelling—each child has a ‘thing.’
Look for playful learning: The best gifts combine fun with curiosity, creativity, or skill-building. Don’t dismiss technology. Instead, look for ways it can add value—making learning interactive and engaging.
So the next time you’re tempted to grab a flashy toy car or doll just to get gifting over with, pause for a moment. Ask yourself—can this gift make the child curious, creative, or excited to learn?
Because the best gifts are not the ones that simply entertain—they are the ones that stay with a child, shaping how they explore the world.
About the Author
Surbhi Pathak, subeditor, writes on India, world affairs, science, and education. She is currently dabbling with lifestyle content. Follow her on X: @S_Pathak_11.
Surbhi Pathak, subeditor, writes on India, world affairs, science, and education. She is currently dabbling with lifestyle content. Follow her on X: @S_Pathak_11.
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