Fun and learning: How technology, tradition changed India's toy story

What to keep in mind when you ask your children to pick what they want to play with

Bengaluru resident Lakshmi Ramachandran’s toy story from her childhood is sparse. “I grew up without toys. Nobody bought me toys and this wasn’t unusual then. One doll made its way into our house somehow and I played a lot with it, for hours. My brother and I played with mud and stones and sticks,” said the 33-year-old.

As a mother of two, Ramachandran’s children have a room full of toys. Her eight-year-old son loves his Lego set and daughter, aged 5, has assorted dolls and other play material.

Each toy has its benefits. Games or toys that make children play