As parents we all know the top toys brands – Fisher Price, Melissa and Doug, LeapFrog – but how many times do we think about the benefits these toys bring to our kids when we buy them? Not too often right? Most times you buy a toy just because your child likes the colour, the way it looks, or simply a friend has the same thing.
Now here we bring you the story of a computer scientist turned toymaker called Meeta Sharma Gupta. Gupta realised with all her education at IIT and Harvard, there weren’t too many problems she couldn’t understand but one thing bothered her immensely. And that was how to keep her sons occupied and engaged with toys that were not insipid and mass produced. She searched the Indian market for toys that would aid in their development but couldn’t find any made in India. That was when she realised there was a huge market in India for high quality toys that are engaging, safe and eco-friendly. She wanted to make toys that that would facilitate the natural development of the child. And thus Shumee was born.
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What is Shumee?Â
Shumee is a line of toys that are designed in such a way as to aid the natural development of the child. The makers of the toys believe in the underlying philosophy of “child drives the toy, not the toy driving the child”. So every Shumee toy is carefully designed to facilitate natural development of the child – providing a platform for open and creative play rather than closed and directed play.
The toys are all made of natural, high quality wood with water-based, safe (lead and chemical free) colours ensuring the highest quality and the safest finish for every child. Gupta had a few designs in mind, she contacted a local manufacturer near Bangalore and by the time she knew it Shumee was alive!
Their website has toys divided by age so parents can browse according to their child’s needs. Each toy also has a list of the ways it will help in your child’s development.
What we love
- Toys from Shumee are plastic and lead free, which means your child can chew away on them and you can be worry free!
- No more annoying toys that sing and dance and play extremely loud music, thanks to batteries. Think of all the times you have had to run out to buy batteries for your child’s favourite toy. Shumee does not manufacture battery operated toys.
- Because they are made of wood and use natural dyes, they last long and can be used by multiple children.
- Made by local artisans, they are far more well thought out than traditional toys found in India.
What we don’tÂ
- Shumee toys are priced slightly on the higher side. Though Shumee provides a wide range of toys and are manufactured in India by local artisans, the price of each toy will make buyers think twice.
- We would like to see a larger selection of toys for children in the 4+ age range
- Toys such as the Musical Activity Walker and the Rainbow Stacker resemble similar toys from big name toy manufacturers. Though plastic free, the similarity is striking.
Where to order from?
Shumee toys are available on www.shumee.in, www.amazon.in, www.firstcry.com, www.hopscotch.in
Shop Here:
Shumee Balancing Balls
Shop Here: Rs. 350/-
Tell Me A Story Cubes
Shop Here: Rs. 490/-
Shumee Construction Blocks Princess Castle
Shop Here: Rs. 600/-
Shumee skittles game
Shop Here: Rs. 600/-
Shumee Musical Carousel
Shop Here : Rs. 850/-
Shumee Shape and number sorting clock
Shop Here: Rs. 1375/-
Shumee Tree Doll House
Shop Here: Rs. 1495/-
Shumee Activity Triangle
Shop Here: Rs. 2050/-
Wooden Balance Bike (Yellow Red Blue)
Shop Here: Rs. 5800/-
KSP Team
Vaishnavi Venkatraman
Rati Ramadas Girish
Neha Savla
KSP Promotions
