The exercising monkey at Children’s Corner at Ranchi Science Centre that helps children learn maths tables. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Does your demanding toddler bawl for new toys or clothes or junk food almost every day? Is your pre-schooler hooked only to television and cellphone games? Are you worried you are making your four-year-old a mall-and-multiplex addict?

It’s time to take your child to Ranchi Science Centre, Chiraundi.

Though some 6km from the city, the centre has a fascinating Children’s Corner, which can be nothing short of vitamins for the young, curious mind.

Ranchi parents who have visited Calcutta’s Science City or New Delhi’s Nehru Museum will be glad to know that Children’s Corner has exhibits that can engage, inform and entertain the child.

The corner, with dimensions of some 30x30ft, can accommodate between 16 and 20 children at a time.

The speciality of the room — vividly decorated and with wall-to-wall carpeting, no less — lies in the extraordinary games kept on small desks shaped like cubes.

For instance, there is an exercising monkey. It teaches maths tables while making children laugh as it flexes its arms.

Children can also learn why like poles repel each other from magnetic coins that make beautiful shapes.

“The infotainment-based games are designed and provided by the National Council of Science Museum for children. Through enjoyable live demonstrations, children cultivate scientific temper and learn fundamental concepts,” said centre’s curator Ram Shankar Choudhary.

He added the corner was only for children upto the age of five. Entry fee is only Rs 5 per child. In case of bulk visits — 40 or more children — a 20 per cent discount is offered.

“Parents and schools do visit us but we want more footfall and more people to be aware of the facilities here,” he added.

The museum is closed on Tuesdays and gazetted holidays, which makes it an ideal weekend destination. Open from 11am to 5pm, a ticket allows a child entry for an hour.

“But we have seen that children, once they enter, get so engrossed in scientific games that we allow them another half an hour or so. They keep asking questions to their parents or our staffers. After all, our purpose is to ignite the minds of the children,” the curator smiled.

Beats potato chips and television any day.

Have you tried innovative ways to teach your toddler?

Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com