Interactive toy
For my A-level Product Design Project my aim was to design and create a children’s toy which helps children with their learning and development. This toy has moving and removable parts to make it interesting and engaging for the children. I designed a product suitable for children aged 2 – 5 years. This age group enjoy being active and exploring as well as using role play and their imaginations. This is the age when children start to ask why (why things work, why they are being told to do something etc.), instinctively wanting to learn and develop. This is why it is important to make products which entertain children and can hold their focus as well as letting their imaginations and creativity work.
The base and the top come apart for easier storage and transport. They have secure clips to keep the two parts together when in use. Each board slides into the frame and can be moved around or customised to fit the child and child provider's needs. I used CAD software to make sure all the parts would connect and slot into place. The whole black base is a chalkboard with my animal cartoons painted on to add more fun and creativity to the base. This allows for the child's imagination to 'run wild' at a height where they can easily sit and create. Being chalk, it is easy to clean off all areas of the product.
The boards consist of multiple different stimuli for a young child, focusing on hand-eye coordination and using their motor skills. This includes putting things in slots, working around a maze, matching shapes, sliding and spinning parts and peaking behind doors.
