Make, Rainbow, Play is a research-led kit of parts that provides endless opportunities for active play. It can be used in combination with other ready-made products for activities that promote the healthy development and well-being of children aged 2-6 years and beyond, such as crawling, balancing, building and other gross- and fine motor skills. The kit can even be used as a learn-trough play tool for learning the colors and basic maths.
Active play has proven benefits to children’s development: physically, socially, emotionally, and even academically. It also makes parenting a lot easier. Unfortunately, play has declined so much in recent years, that now some children are living a childhood without play. Hooked on screens, clinging to parents and mostly discontented from their peers. I believe that active play can help combat today’s culture of anxiety, screen addiction and hypersensitivity amongst children. There is a second dimension apart from the active play that this product has and that is its craftiness. Teachers and Caregivers can re-produce this design in their setting together with their students. That needs to be facilitated by collaboration with local workshop or maker studio with laser cutting or CNC cutting services available.
The Rainbow kit can be made out of a variety of materials. For example, cork can be used for smaller children for a lightweight and soft feel, while MDF and plywood would provide more durability and physical challenge. However, for a maximum craft experience, the kit can be cut from cardboard sheets which are then glued and layered.
In my prior work over the academic year, I explored sustainable and social themes focusing on young people and working families. Environmental, social and cultural issues have become the precedent of my design thinking and problem-solving. One of my recent projects – The paper Pulp Stool, looked into transforming the way we see wastepaper.