Toybank - Development through Play

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Toybank - Development through Play

Impacting 2,00,000+ at-risk children in improving their learning outcomes, across 12 districts in Maharashtra through our Life Skills Play Programmes

The Opentree Foundation is a Mumbai-based non-profit founded in 2004, which uses play-based learning as a transformative tool to empower children from marginalised communities with essential life skills and emotional resilience through its Conscious Play® approach, enabling them to thrive as well-rounded individuals capable of making positive contributions to society. Through our flagship project Toybank - Development through Play, we impact 1,50,000 children across 12 districts of Maharashtra. We work with Government and low-income semi-government schools, and Government and Non-government CICs (Child Institutional Care) NGOs, and CBOs (Community based Organizations). Our journey is rooted in the deep understanding that Play provides the most optimised environment for children to learn and grow, and that by empowering children, educators, community leaders and policymakers through play-based learning, we can transform the future of our country and society.

05/09/2026

For years, we’ve measured the impact of play. It was time to understand the State of play.
At The Opentree Foundation, our work has shown us what changes when play becomes part of children’s lives. But as play-based learning begins to take root within India’s education system, we realised there was a bigger question we needed to answer: What does play actually look like in children’s everyday lives?

The State of Play Report brings together the voices of children, parents, teachers and Anganwadi workers across Maharashtra to understand how children experience play, what gets in the way, and what must change to ensure every child’s right to play is realised.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll unpack the findings one by one.
Explore the State of Play Report. Link in bio.

22/06/2026

After a successful declaration — Pahila Divas Shalecha, Ek Taas Khelacha, by the Ahilyanagar district CEO at Protect Play, Protect Childhood — our International Day of Play Roundtable, here's how our teachers and students at Dada Chaudhary Marathi School, Ahilyanagar, brought the idea to life.

Over 1000 schools across Ahilyanagar transformed into happy, vibrant spaces through Play — and we hope to bring these glimpses to all of you over the coming days.

Do you think all schools should start their school year like this? What would this change — for children and the way they learn? Tell us in the comments.

18/06/2026

“School is a happy place because we get to Play.”
“Let us Play. Let us learn through Play.”
Two government school children from Mumbai, Arpita and Parth, stood on a national stage in Delhi and reminded a room full of leaders, educators, and changemakers what play-based learning truly looks like.
At the Children’s Panel at the National Play Dialogue, hosted by The LEGO Group LEGO and facilitated by The Opentree Foundation The Opentree Foundation - Development through Play , Arpita and Parth shared their lived experiences of learning in a play-based classroom alongside their principal, Dr. Sanjay Chavan, our CEO & Co-founder, Shweta Chari Shweta Chari and our Playworker, Akash.
Not what adults imagine children need. What children themselves know they need.
The room listened. A powerful reminder of the — and the importance of building learning environments where every child can learn, create, and thrive.
📍India Habitat Centre, New Delhi · June 15, 2026
ChildLedAdvocacy

13/06/2026

A declaration lands when the right people are in the room.

On June 11, in a room full of the teachers, principals, and Block Education Officers, Ahilyanagar Zilla Parishad CEO, Shri. Anand Bhandari, IAS announced:

Pahila Divas Shalecha, Ek Taas Khelacha

On June 15, every single school across Ahilyanagar's 14 talukas will welcome students with one hour of Play.

5000+ schools are gearing up to mark the new school year with a commitment to joyful, play-integrated learning.

04/06/2026

Some places become part of your story. Some become part of your purpose.

For The Opentree Foundation, Ahilyanagar has been more than a district of our work. It has been a place where we have witnessed the power of communities, educators, and local leadership coming together to reimagine childhood through Play.
From classrooms to communities, the journey here has strengthened our belief that when systems come together, Play can move from being an activity to becoming a priority.

As we gather in Ahilyanagar to strengthen the movement for , we celebrate a district that continues to shape our vision: a future where every child has the time, space, and opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. through Play. Keep watching this space to see our journey in Ahilyanagar.

03/06/2026

The future of any society is shaped by the experiences and opportunities we create for its children today.
The environments children grow up in, at home, in schools, and across their communities, influence how they learn, think, build relationships, develop skills, and contribute to the world around them.

Meet the leaders and changemakers from the state, district, and municipal government in Ahilyanagar at “Protect Play, Protect Childhood” — a district-level dialogue on their vision for strengthening play-based learning and creating an ecosystem where Ahilyanagar’s children can thrive today and shape the future.

07/12/2025

How do we build a stronger national case for Play? By grounding it in evidence, shifting narratives, and moving together with collective intent.

This panel brings leaders from policy, design, administration, and social impact to explore what it really takes to put Play on India’s development agenda.

Featuring:
- Anant Bhagwati, Partner, The Bridgespan Group, India
- Ratan Batliboi, RJB-CPL
- Mokshada Patil, IPS
- Sharad N Ughade, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation
- Shweta Chari, The Opentree Foundation

RSVP: https://forms.gle/3KWRsCgu3AZR8WodA

For the full programme schedule: https://shorturl.at/CyUhq
(Registration is compulsory for all attendees, including plus-ones.)

Shweta Chari | Vikram Nerurkar | StudioPOD | IES College of Architecture, Mumbai

03/12/2025

How do we strengthen India’s play ecosystem? By grounding it in data, evidence, and lived experience.

This conversation will unveil The Opentree Foundation's latest research: offering fresh insights into how Play shapes children’s holistic development and why a Play-centered approach is essential for India’s future.

Featuring:
- Anant Bhagwati, Partner, The Bridgespan Group, India
- Hanif Shaikh, Assistant Director – Education, Snehalaya
- Vijaya Balaji, Founder, Social Lens; Managing Director, toolbox INDIA Foundation
- Zhooben Bhiwandiwala, Executive Director & CEO, Mahindra Holdings Limited

To secure your spot, please fill the RSVP form: https://forms.gle/jRcNxtchD72Y4yfy7

We’ll continue sharing session highlights through the week: panels, workshops, hackathons, and more. For the full programme schedule, visit: https://shorturl.at/CyUhq

(Registration is compulsory for all attendees, including plus-ones.)

More session highlights coming soon!

02/12/2025

How do we make Play a national priority? By coming together. This dialogue explores how aligned vision, shared expertise, and strong partnerships can accelerate change for children across India.

Featuring:
- Ashraf Patel, Co-founder, ComMutiny - The Youth Collective & vartaLeap Coalition
- Nita Luthria Row, Executive Director, Adhyayan Quality Education Foundation
- Deepika Mogilishetty, Chief of Policy & Partnerships, EkStep Foundation
- Kirti Zala, Project Head and CEO, aProCh - a Protagonist in Every Child

To secure your spot, please fill the RSVP form: https://forms.gle/3KWRsCgu3AZR8WodA

We'll continue putting out individual posts for each session this week: panels, workshops, hackathons, and more. For the full programme schedule, visit: https://shorturl.at/CyUhq

(Registration is compulsory for all attendees, including plus-ones.)

More session highlights coming up soon!

Address

Mumbai
400016

Telephone

+918080868235

Website

http://www.opentree.org/

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