5 guilt-free games you can buy for your child

Availability: Amazon.in or download for free on the Android and IOS app.

The global market for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) based educational toys is valued at $29 billion and is expected to grow to $35 billion by 2020. But, today’s educational system is marred by rote learning and so there is a major need for learning-based and engagement driven activities that not only initiate problem-solving but also push your child towards a technology-driven future.

How it Works: This learning game engages your kids and enables them to learn through a variety of STEM-based learning kits that contain around 100-200 supremely interactive activities that young minds need to assemble referring to the manual and then play with them.

Benefit: This exciting game employs Augmented Reality (AR) and STEM principles to diversify your child’s experience as they get to learn about a variety of themes. A child’s imagination and social skill thrives when they play with toys that provide them with an opportunity to express their own thinking.

Price: Approx. Rs. 179 to Rs. 300 (depending on the age group).

Cubetto (Primo Toys)

Age: 3 years and above

Availability: On Amazon.in or Eupheus.in

Programming is indisputably the new literacy that is leading to a growing emphasis on computers and use of other digital utilities in our educational system. Therefore, parents who are looking for toys that nurture the basics of computer programming through adventure and hands-on play into their child’s learning regime will enjoy Primo’s Cubetto, brought to India by Eupheus Learning.

How it Works: A friendly wooden robot, a physical programming board, and a set of colourful coding blocks make up a programming language or code that your child can touch. Offering a fun and engaging way of learning the principles of coding through a myriad of themes and subjects, it teaches Literacy, Numeracy, Maths, Science, etc. It also helps them to develop important proficiencies such as spatial awareness, teamwork and storytelling.

Benefit: Screenless, friendly and ready to play; this is literally your child’s first coding set.

Price: Approx. Rs 24,350

Step & Learn (Wizefloor)

Age: 3 to 12 years (Also meant for children with special needs.)

Availability: Eupheus.in

A kinesthetic mode of learning, Step & Learn (Wizefloor) formulates a hands-on experience and strengthens your child’s basic concepts through this interactive learning game. Recipient of the Red Dot Design Award as “Best of the Best in Education”, it applies breakthrough tracking technology to improve your child’s learning by activating their gross motor functions. It combines play, learning, and movement in the most interesting way.

How it Works: From a projector in the ceiling, different learning-games are projected onto the floor. The children use their hands and feet to interact with the floor and solve the games.

Benefit: It is an interactive floor that promotes collective and differentiated learning styles and needs through play and physical activity. It also stimulates the sensory system by staging a playful atmosphere along with improving learning by activating the gross motor functions. Step & Learn also develops collaboration and teamwork among children from a young age.

Price:  On request

Laugh & Learn Touch Screen Tablet

Age: 12-36 Months

Availability: Firstcry.com

Trust us; your child is way more accustomed to digital tools than he/she is to pen and paper, even in their nascent stage. Umpteen brands have come up with creative escapades that augment listening skills, attention skills and overall social skill development for your toddler. Laugh & Learn Touch Screen Tablet is one such item.

How it Works: Built with Smart Stages technology, this exciting item helps babies develop at their own pace owing to its variety of developmentally appropriate songs, phrases and sounds within three levels of play. The baby can press any one of 28 app buttons to activate sounds with music and unlock learning about letters, first words, animals and more. As far as the noise levels go, brands make sure their tablets are manufactured and tested to not damage children’s hearing ability.

Benefit: Hands-on exploration, imitation, and imagination through early role play introduce a myriad of new experiences to the baby.

Price: Approx. Rs 1,400

Flintobox

Age: 2-12 years

Availability: Flintobox.com (Also available on Google Play)

Promoting early child development in a fun and explorative way is the Flintobox. Catering to the 12 developmental areas of a child, it incorporates play-based activities into the overall skill development of your child. These easy learning activities are age-appropriate and have multiple benefits attached to it.

How it Works: Receive fun and creative activity age-appropriate play-based activities and worksheets through the subscription box on your smart-phone with a new theme every month.

Benefits: From overall brain development to enhancing cognitive, sensory and motor skills of your child, the activity kits introduce fresh concepts, easy learning for just about any interest. Additionally, this research-based box has been crafted by Montessori experts and child psychologists.

Price: Subscription-based, for three months and six months.