Founded in April 2022, Panda’s Box is a Delhi-NCR–based startup creating screen-free, culturally rooted early learning experiences for children aged 0–6. Inspired by the founder’s personal parenting journey, the brand offers a range of thoughtfully crafted mantra chanting plushies, interactive musical books and storytellers that nurture emotional well-being, creativity, and connection to Indian heritage.
Panda’s Box aims to support holistic childhood development by offering calm, hands-on alternatives to digital engagement, helping families build strong foundations for children through purposeful play. (https://www.instagram.com/pandasbox_india/)
Earlier this year Panda’s Box rolled out its #ScreenFreeNavratri campaign, a nine-day digital detox initiative aimed at encouraging families to reduce screen time and engage in culturally rooted activities during Navratri.
Positioned at the intersection of digital wellness and cultural engagement, the campaign invites families to replace 15 minutes of daily screen usage with offline activities designed to foster mindfulness among children and strengthen parent-child bonding.
The initiative is built around community participation, leveraging hashtags such as #ScreenFreeNavratri, #OfflineIsTheNewCool, and #9Nights0Screens to encourage families to share their experiences and inspire others to adopt similar habits.
Medianews4u.com caught up with Sukriti Mendiratta founder Panda’s Box
Q. What was the gap seen in the early learning sector that led to the launch of Panda’s Box?
Panda’s Box came about from my desire as a parent to give my son Arjun the same subtle exposure to Indian culture that had influenced my own childhood through stories, familiar sounds, traditions and values that were felt rather than explicitly taught. This was something my husband and co-founder, Rajat Mendiratta, and I deeply resonated with as parents.
In a world that is increasingly fast-paced, noisy, and screen-oriented, Panda’s Box serves as a gentle reminder that childhood can still be slow, meaningful, and deeply tied to culture one toy, one story, and one shared moment at a time.
Q. Panda’s Box has raised ₹1.2 Crore from Shark Tank India. How has exposure on the TV show helped gain recognition and build awareness?
For us, Shark Tank wasn’t just about the investment; it was about the introduction. We’ve always believed in our products, but we hadn’t yet invested in telling our story on a large scale. The show did that for us overnight.
We found that once people were exposed to the concept, they connected with it instantly. There was no ‘hard sell’ needed, the visibility acted as a direct catalyst, turning viewers into customers and building a foundation of trust that would have otherwise taken years to establish.
Q. What do investors like Aman Gupta bring to the table?
Investors like Aman Gupta bring far more than capital. They bring clarity, scale thinking, and brand-building expertise.
Aman, in particular, understands how to build a brand that connects emotionally while scaling aggressively-something that’s very important for us.
Q. What goals have been set in terms of expanding its distribution channels? What is the gameplan to get there?
Our focus is to make Panda’s Box accessible wherever parents are online and offline.
We’ve already built a strong D2C presence, and now we’re expanding into marketplaces like Amazon (including international markets like the US), and curated offline retail.
The game plan is simple: scale distribution, but never dilute the experience. Every touchpoint should still feel calm, meaningful, and intentional.
Q. Could you talk about the brainstorming with the creative agency that led to the #Screen-Free Navratri Campaign?
The #ScreenFreeNavratri campaign came from a very simple insight . Festivals were once about connection, but today they are becoming passive consumption moments.
We asked: What if Navratri becomes a reset?
Like a lot of other things that we detox from during these 9 days and nights, we could also do some form of digital detox. We said start small, replace just 15 minutes of your and your child’s screen time in a day with mantras, stories, dance and craft, temple visit-doing these activities together.
We got a very encouraging response and gave away 4 consolation prizes apart from the winner because of the kind of efforts they all had made.
Q. What other marketing campaigns and innovations can we expect in the coming months?
We are moving towards storytelling-led marketing.
You’ll see more heartwarming narratives coming up- children playing in the divine company, grandparents doing bedtime storytelling , small everyday rituals which connect them to their roots and also shape their value system in the process.
Q. Will the media mix revolve around digital?
Digital will remain a strong pillar, but not in a “performance-first” way.
We believe in meaningful storytelling, so platforms like Instagram and YouTube help us build that emotional connection.
At the same time, we are exploring offline experiences events, schools, and community-led interactions.
Q. Will satisfied parents become influencers through areas like Facebook referrals?
Absolutely and in fact, they already are.
For us, the most powerful marketing isn’t influencer-led, it’s parent-led.
When a parent shares how their child sleeps peacefully with a mantra plush or starts folding hands in front of a mandir that authenticity cannot be manufactured.
Q. Is Panda’s Box also working with influencers in the education category?
Yes, but very selectively.
We collaborate with educators, child psychologists, and conscious parenting voices who align with our philosophy.
The idea is not to promote products, but to start conversations around mindful childhood.
Q. Does Panda’s Box do a lot of work with schools, teachers, counselors?
We don’t do this at the moment. But I would like to in the near future as we feel schools and counselors play a critical role in shaping children’s early year experiences.
The intent would be to integrate storytelling, mindfulness, and cultural familiarity into those environments as well.
Q. WhatsApp has steadily introduced features for businesses. Has this grown in value as a platform?
Yes, significantly.
WhatsApp has become a very personal bridge between us and parents. From support to storytelling to post-purchase engagement-it feels like a continuation of the brand experience, not just a channel.
It helps us stay close to our customers in a very human way.
Q. What role is AI playing in product innovation like plush toys and storytelling companions?
AI is helping us enhance creativity and personalization.
From prototyping designs faster to building richer storytelling formats, AI allows us to move quicker while staying thoughtful.
But the heart of Panda’s Box will always remain human. AI is a tool, not the storyteller.
We also plan to come up with our own AI powered toy in the cultural realm.
Q. How important is it for early childhood to be untouched by constant stimulation?
It’s extremely important.
A child’s early years are not meant to be filled they are meant to be felt.
Constant stimulation can take away a child’s ability to sit with stillness, imagination, and inner comfort. That’s something we are very conscious about preserving.
Q. Tech companies design addictive products. For parents how big a challenge is this?
It’s a very real challenge.
Today, parents are not just raising children they are competing with highly engineered systems designed to capture attention.
That’s why alternatives matter. We can’t just say “don’t use screens” we have to offer something equally engaging, but calming.
Q. Some State Governments are looking at banning social media platforms for kids. Your views?
It’s a step in the right direction, but regulation alone won’t solve the problem.
The real shift has to happen at home.
If we can create environments where children naturally gravitate towards meaningful play, stories, and connection then screens automatically become less dominant.
