Mumbai, July 2026; In an era where screens have become the default distraction, Swiggy Dineout has partnered with Apsara by Hindustan Pencils to introduce the Apsara PlayPad, an engaging, screen-free activity placemat designed to make dining out more enjoyable for children while encouraging families to reconnect through creativity.
Available across 50+ restaurants in 8 cities, the Apsara PlayPad features a thoughtfully curated mix of colouring activities, puzzles, mazes, word games and creative challenges that keep young diners entertained as they wait for their meals. The initiative transforms idle waiting time into an opportunity for imagination, learning and quality family interaction, without relying on digital devices.
The collaboration was inspired by a simple yet relevant question: How do you keep kids engaged at a restaurant without handing them a screen? Instead of turning to technology, Swiggy Dineout and Apsara chose a timeless solution of paper, pencils and creativity. As families increasingly seek more mindful and meaningful experiences together, the Apsara PlayPad offers restaurants a simple yet impactful way to enhance the dining experience while encouraging children to explore their imagination in a fun, interactive format.
Commenting on the collaboration, Aishwarya Shinod, Chief Marketing Officer, Hindustan Pencils, said, “At Apsara, we’ve always believed that creativity begins with the simplest of tools, a pencil, a sheet of paper and a child’s imagination. Our collaboration with Swiggy Dineout reflects this belief by creating moments where families can slow down, connect and enjoy screen-free experiences together. The Apsara PlayPad is more than just an activity sheet, it’s an invitation for children to colour, solve, imagine and create while making waiting time a joyful part of the dining experience. We are delighted to bring this initiative to families across the country and reinforce the value of creativity in everyday moments.”
With experiential marketing becoming an increasingly important way for brands to create meaningful consumer engagement, the Apsara PlayPad demonstrates how simple, thoughtful interventions can elevate everyday experiences while promoting creativity and family bonding. The Apsara PlayPad is now available at participating Swiggy Dineout partner restaurants across 8 cities, inviting families to swap screen time for playtime, one meal at a time.
About Hindustan Pencils:
Hindustan Pencils Pvt. Ltd. is the largest primary school stationery manufacturing company in India. Their brands Apsara and Nataraj are household names. Established in 1958, Hindustan Pencils have mastered the art of making high quality stationery products. With the latest machinery set up, today they have state-of-the-art manufacturing units that produce 8.5 million pencils daily, 1.7 million sharpeners, 2.7 million erasers, 0.2 million scales and 1 million pens. They believe in manufacturing products of high quality.
