Children can be motivated to learn,
when new ideas or explanations are practically linked with, playful things or toys. There are many factory made and costly toys available in the market, but there is more charm in the simple things, when made by the children themselves. Each of these toys will help the children, in generating creativity. Contained in four sections viz. Sound and Music, Timeless Devices, Spells of Motion, Mini Mysteries, the book gives details of 101 such toys, under the general headings like, You need, How to make it, Try out, Find out, and Note. Generally one page contains the details along with several sketches, for one toy. The Appendices give details of toys for different age groups, main materials for the toys and
scientific principles of the toys. It does not matter whether children make or break these toys, since these are very cheap. If broken, they will learn afresh by remaking the toys, and by their creativity they may make them better. This will generate the basic scientific bent of mind, by the process of making, playing, breaking,
experimenting, remaking, replaying and improving. Their sense of curiosity helps them in this regard. Besides self learning, they also learn from their friends, older children, parents and teachers. These toys help the children, in learning the step by step method of working, using simple and common tools, using various materials, understanding assembly process, evaluating and judging the improvements required.
An example is given for making a parachute, using a handkerchief, four pieces of thread and a stone, tying the four ends of the threads to the stone, dropping it from a high level and watching its slow descent. They have to find out why it goes slowly; will it work on the moon or if handkerchief has a hole. In another example the toy is a clock, which is made by using a match box, a pin, a piece of thread, a small stone and a safety pin. This toy introduces the child to the working of a clock, and the pendulum system. This resource book provides details with sketches, of simple but useful playthings, some of which are made in various parts of India. It will motivate the children to make experiments in toy making. This book is mainly for children, but also for the adults, parents, teachers etc., so that with their help, they can make the toys, have fun, learn without much cost and build confidence.