More play, less screen, all fun for the children

The second edition of Qatar Toy Festival, currently underway at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC), is promoting interactive play and reducing children’s reliance on screens, according to parents at the event.
The event, organised by Visit Qatar, runs until August 14 and offers a wide array of live shows, unique activations, workshops, games, and educational entertainment for children and adults.
“Mainly we came for the kids, and my son is enjoying more than my daughter. He’s five years old and loves number blocks. He never sits in one place, but he’s been playing for 20 minutes now,” Indian expatriate Tamil, who arrived in Doha two months ago, told Gulf Times yesterday.
“I see this event helping our children avoid spending too much time on their phones and mobile devices,” he said.
Tamil noted that his son, familiar with popular cartoon characters from television, was excited to see them in person.
“He was happy to sit and see the blocks and do things, maybe he was watching on TV all the time,” he noted.
“Now seeing things like all these characters come in front of them, and that makes them really happy,” Tamil added.
The festival has been expanded this year, occupying more than 17,000sq m of indoor space with 10 themed zones.
New additions are Anime, Movie Land, and Retail zones, joining returning favourites like Preschool, Girls, Boys, Family, Stage, F&B, and Theming Area.
More than 50 international brands, including popular ones such as Barbie and Naruto, as well as newcomers like Mr Bean and Barney, are participating.
The festival features live shows on stage, dance performances, parades with stilt walkers, and mascot appearances.
“It is my first time visiting the place and my children are enjoying the numerous toys and the activations,” said, Fareed, an Iranian who has been residing in Doha for 25 years. “It is a big area and a very good festival. It also has a lot of sections for painting and art workshops, many games ... this idea is exceptional.”
Echoing Tamil’s view, Fareed lauded the festival for creating an environment that encourages children to play actively away from mobile and electronic devices.
He plans to return to the festival with his family, saying: “We like the activities at this festival and we want our children to spend their free time here instead of playing games with their phones.”