Toying with creativity

"My daughter seldom asks for a smartphone or iPad. She prefers to play the games with me," the father says.

He hopes that his video can provide an innovative solution for parents, especially fathers, on how to enjoy a quality time with their children and encourage them to use screens less.

Early last year, his book on how to make toys from cardboard was published by Posts and Telecom Press. He has made the craft skill his career.

Traditionally, around the world, most of the child rearing work has been the responsibility of women. But studies have also highlighted the importance of a father's role during parenting.

A recent study by academics at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge and the Lego Foundation agrees that children whose fathers make time to play with them from a very young age may find it easier to control their behavior and emotions as they grow up.

Zhang agrees: "To grow up with Nini will be the most meaningful thing for me."

For Zhang, Nini has been a great helper in making these toys.

"We discuss every detail in making a toy, such as what color to paint and where a press button should be installed," Zhang says.

Besides participation in the creativity process, toy making is inexpensive, albeit time-consuming, according to Zhang.

"For a simple cardboard toy, it takes two or three days to finish. A complicated one can take dozens of days," the father says.

Most families have bought too many toys. But Zhang doesn't have such concerns with Nini, who has participated in the making of most of her toys.

"She always plays with these toys with care. I think her efforts in building them may be the reason. She knows how difficult it is to build a toy," Zhang says.

The girl now has her own toolbox and started coming up with her own ideas for design in toy making with her father.

"I will make more and better toys out of cardboard. I hope more parents will find their own way to spend time with children," the creative father says.