"The Motherland begins with a toy": the best Russian creative solutions for children were presented at the National Centre RUSSIA

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The final of the All-Russian contest "Native Toy" is being held at the National Centre RUSSIA on 9 September. During the day, interactive zones, expositions, quests and other events are being held for participants, experts, families with many children, and other guests, allowing them to explore the history and culture of different regions of the country through the game.

"It is with a toy, even more than with a picture in an alphabet book, that the Motherland begins for a child. After all, up to the age of six, as you know, the leading activity is play activity, and the toy simply has no competitors here. It is in the first decade of life that a person's worldview is largely formed, and their views, tastes, and attachments are shaped. Therefore, it is very important that all this takes root in the spiritual soil native to the child," said Yelena Yampolskaya, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation, co-chairman of the Organizing Committee of the All-Russian contest "Native Toy".

Children's laughter, bright colors and a festive atmosphere — this is how the National Centre RUSSIA welcomes its guests today. Even the organizers could not resist the attraction of the games: Maxim Dreval, Director General of the Russian society Znanie, joined the process of practical "testing" the competition works, proving by his personal example that a good toy can bring people back to childhood.

"A real celebration has unfolded at the National Centre RUSSIA — the festival of childhood and the toy festival. Children can not only see the prototypes, but also play with them, participate in play zones and interactive activities. And you know, the most vivid impression is when you see a child who is so involved in the game that their eyes light up and their sense of time is lost. At that moment, you realize that we have succeeded, we are moving in the right direction. I won't hide it: I have a desire to play many games myself. I spent several hours at the exposition, and I really liked many of the toys. I have an incredible feeling that we have managed to create a small miracle," Maxim Dreval admitted.

The All-Russian competition "Native Toy" is organized by the Russian society Znanie together with the Movement of the First in 2024. The initiative aims to support the development and production of domestic games and toys which help children learn about the country's history, develop creative and technical thinking, and foster patriotism and family values.

This year, the contest received more than 28,000 applications from all regions of Russia. 59 projects from 34 regions reached the final in five categories: "Story-Based Toy", "Board Game", "Constructor and Assembly Model", "Technical and Technological Toy" and "Multimedia Project". All of them were presented as part of the Festival. The festival programme also includes an exposition of toys-mascots of the Russian regions, prepared by Movement of the First, and an exposition of children's drawings set up as a result of the competition "Create Your Own Toy" held jointly by the Russian society Znanie and the Sun TV channel.

When choosing the winners of the competition, the Organizing Committee will take into account not only the votes of the expert jury, but also the opinions of the exposition visitors, the Movement of the First participants, and 130 representatives of the family community "Rodnye-Lyubimye" ('Dear-Loved Ones').