Child’s Play

If there is one caution that every parent is taking nowadays,it is to make sure that their tiny tots do not grow up to be couch potatoes,nestled in front of the TV or glued to a gaming console. In fact,many parents in the tri-city are designing play areas for their children at their houses.

“These play areas are interactive,competitive and in a way that is sure to develop a child’s motor skills,” says Bindiya Kaura,a senior faculty at Institute of Finance,Banking and Insurance (IFBI),who has helped her reletives and friends design outdoor spaces for toddlers. For her daughter Voanya,she’s created an activity area with a splash pool at her residence in Sector 22,while Alka and industrialist Pyush Jain have remodeled their front lawn to create ample indoor-outdoor space that is safe and inviting for their son Arnav. “The idea is to make it entertaining,educational and physically challenging. A badminton court has been designed for the evening hours,while mornings are usually spent gardening,” she adds. To make it interesting,she has placed metal frogs,plastic butterflies and ladybirds.” It appeals to the senses and nurtures interest in nature and horticulture,” she says.

Step into lawyer Ashish Chopra’s house in Sector 16 and a slide and swing greet you in bright colours. “The readymade play structure includes swings and slides. It’s a place where our daughter Naaz can explore,learn,and relax without our worrying about her safety,” says his wife Nidhi Chopra.

While there are others who use painted recycled tires for children to sit on and to make temporary sand pits,Simran Bhogal,a housewife,is all set to grow a flower maze for her twin daughters. “I want the maze to be ready before they walk,” mother of four-month-old twins Ishrat and Kudrat. She saw the concept in a magazine and now wants to replicate it.

But none of these facilities diminish the importance of adequate protection for children. Trishna and Gaurav Chadha,who are in the hospitality business,tell us,“to make it safe for our two-year-old son Vedaant we have secured the outdoor play area with portable gates and always keep an eye on him,though from a distance.” Agrees Pooja,a lecturer,who gives the play area a makeover every few days alternating between a playhouse,pool and folding slide to keep sons Tushar and Amay,on their toes. “It’s all about using a little imagination and creating a fascinating,stimulating and safe outdoor place for children to play,” she says.