For Class VI student Jyotisman Biswas, it was a proud day. He earned Rs 570 for the first time — by selling handmade toys.
Always a creative child, Jyotisman makes miniature toys out of paper. From the common monkey and scorpion, he has ventured into the lesser-known world of armadilo, Indian Flying Fox and the mythical unicorn, making colourful paper toys of each.
“I cut out the shape of the animal and paint on both sides. It takes me almost an hour to make a paper toy,” says the student of Satish Chandra Memorial School, Chakdah, who contributed 30 such toys for his school’s recently held science exhibition.
Jyotisman is not the only one, though one of the most appreciated. Around 400 children from the school, right from Upper Kindergarten to Class VIII, have contributed handmade toys for the exhibition. The toys were not only showcased in 10 kiosks at the event but many of them were also purchased by the visitors.
“Our students are tired of playing with Chinese toys. They wanted to create stuff on their own,” says principal Arup Sarkar.
From cloth toys to battery-operated ones students made an assortment of creative toys on the occasion, some of which sold like hot cakes.
Class VI students Sayak Ghosh and Santam Sarkar’s Thor’s hammer was another favourite. The boys had fitted a light circuit inside the cardboard hammer. The light can be switched on and off making it an attractive toy for Rs 80.
“My friend created the hammer while I worked on the light circuit,” said Sayak.
Subham Paul of Class V made a smart dustbin with ultrasonic sensors that would open automatically when someone stood before it. It took him four days to create the smart dustbin and it was sold for Rs 800.
“The students used their classroom knowledge to make their toys and other creations. Most of them ideated and created their’s during class hours,” said the school’s biology teacher and middle school science coordinator Bidita Banerjee.
In the end, 335 toys were sold for a total of Rs 15,000.
Nimit Biswas of Class VII sold five portable holograms.
“I used transparent fibres to make holograms in two sizes. They can be fitted on mobile phones and it’s fun to watch the light projections through them. It gives the effect of a 3D game,” said the boy who wants to try making more creative toys.
The principal is encouraging. “Making toys and utility items are a regular part of our school activity now. The children are encouraged not to buy if they can make it,” he said