India:  The first ever action packed Kids’ Expo in India ‘World Children Expo

2012’ conceptualized by Creative Children Media Pvt. Ltd. saw the weekend of May 26-27 at the Ambience Mall, Gurgaon flooded with children of all ages. From shoes to apparel, stationery to games, books to toys, meeting and greeting cartoon characters to attending workshops and sessions – there was not a single dull moment for the kids present. An exclusive range of merchandise, comics and Interactive activities with free goodies set the mood for fun and frolic!

“Children had a wonderful time taking part in a variety of game shows and interactive sessions. Kids eagerly flocked at different stalls with merchandise including Apparel, Toys-Action Figures, Comics, DVDs, Watches, Mugs, Photo-frames, Key Chains, Magnets, School Bags, Board games, and other Gift items. The lucky draws and free prizes from Chhota Bheem and Disney ensured that excitement levels remained at an all time high! Parents also joined in with the kids at the several workshops organized for their benefit and entertainment,” explained Rahul Gupta, Director and CEO, Creative Children Media (P) Ltd.

Kids and families were thrilled to be a part of fun and exciting activities at the World Children Expo 2012. Children participated in interactive storytelling sessions on Mickey and the Bean stalk and Disney Princesses. Fans got to live their own Princess moment with an opportunity to undergo a make-over with Disney Princess helpers. Kids were seen posing against Cinderella and Donald Duck figurines expressing their love for these Disney characters.

Marvel enthusiasts were in for a treat too! Spider-Man fans of all ages got a chance to meet their favorite superhero and a special opportunity to strike their very own ‘Spider-Man’ pose with him! Not just that, the Hulk figurine got his fan boys excited to give their best Hulk pose as their keepsake.

Comic lovers browsed through comics and graphic novels that Comic Con India brought together from multiple publishers across India along with exclusive Comic Con India merchandise range. While bookworms prodded through educational and fiction books for children by Hachette, Scholastic and Grolier.

Ms.Anjum Chopra, former skipper of the Indian women’s cricket team and popular TV cricket expert, was there at the Youth Must Read stall. She gave away 10 autographed mini-bats to kids and interacted with them stressing that they should inculcate the reading habit.

The Birla Sun Life’s ‘Not Jobs but Passion’ workshop was organized to guide parents and kids to choose careers that kids are passionate about and not careers that they choose because of herd-mentality and peer-pressure. The mentors over the 2 days were Manish Sachdeva, Puppeteer;  Denise Carlson, Former Director, Original Movies at Disney Channel and Nila Madhab Panda, Director, I Am Kalam. Parents were encouraged to learn more about their child’s potential and understand the choices and decisions they can make to help their child build a successful career around their passions and interests.

Another workshop, “Mogly’s Gurukul” organized by My City for Kids was a spiritually inclined value based program designed for kids to uphold our rich multicultural traditions and ethical values in a play-way method of learning.

Ben 10 and Ben 10 Ultimate back-to-school products, novelty candy, sporting goods and publishing titles also saw a huge response. Ben 10 fans were also in for a special treat with the launch of T-ebooks like Ben 10, Gwen 10, Ben 10 Alien Force, Ben 10 Ultimate Alien, Powerpuff Girls and Generator Rex with Attano Media & Education.

Gaming enthusiasts witnessed the exclusive launch of new games and introduction to newer e-learning program, which engages young target audience through Android and IOS platforms in addition to traditional print formats.

An exciting and exclusive range of merchandise was on display by Dream Theatre Pvt. Ltd. which included merchandise of Angry Birds, Noddy, beebop, stuff toys and cushions from Madagascar etc. There was a separate Microsoft XBox gaming zone at the Expo as well.

A short movie screening of 16 minute film in English called the “Jungle Gang meets the Rhino” was also organized by WWF (World Wildlife Fund). Kids could display their love for color at the Painting Corner by WWF where a display of grand canvas with the outline of a rhino was present for children to fill up by painting and write their pledges to protect the rhino.

Overall, India’s first children expo successfully turned out to be a one-stop destination for kids looking to have a good time and parents seeking the latest in the market for their kids.