Toy Concepts

The following are sketches for toys that children could possibly play with and secretly learn something about the world or themselves.

Customizable Wind-up LEGO Car

Interaction

Children can reconfigure the car and add to it with any LEGOs they may already have so that they can create a working wind-up car to their imagination. They can experiment with different configurations by combining different shapes and sizes of wheels with different axle widths and car lengths and weights to see how well the car runs. They can of course run the car on flat or sloped surfaces, and try it out on surfaces of different textures. The bricks that house the gearbox could either be wound up by turning a crank, or by rolling the wheels a few times to wind up the spring inside. They can just as well make cars without the "engine" and just let it roll from gravity, or from any push that they give.

Principle

While building the car and fitting the parts together in various ways, children can improve their spatial awareness and finger dexterity, as well as the concept of mechanical energy. They can also learn about what type of wheels with get their car to go further, as they may have to wind up their cars a lot with the smaller wheels to get it to go the same distance as if they used the larger wheels, where they'd only have to wind it up relatively less. 

Cost: $40-50 for a set. Includes different wheels, wind-up and plain axles, and connectors.

Durability: Very.

Safety: Be wary of leaving LEGOs spread out on the floor. Potential choking hazard for smaller parts. Suitable for ages 5 and up.

Reflection

I wanted to come up with something that could be LEGO-compatible, as I remember LEGOs being very popular when I was younger.  They were probably my favourite toy set to play with, and came in so many variations, with so many different custom sets, such as Star Wars. The goal here was to make something that could be easily integrated into their LEGO sets. Though, it was difficult to think of something that would be interesting and not too complicated that kids can play with together.

Interactive-learning Instruments

Interaction

The instrument is interactive in the sense that it gives the child feedback, if they wish, as they play. As they press a key, or press down on a string, the key or corresponding button will light up.

Principle

Children can improve listening skills, dexterity, and concentration.

Cost: Maybe around $60-100, depending on construction costs.

Durability: Rather durable, though not something one should get wet or drop.

Safety: I imagine it would be rather safe, save for potential snapping of strings from over-tightening.

Reflection

I remember, as a typical  kid, I really enjoyed visually stimulating things, things that lit up or had moving parts---as well as taking them apart and trying to put them back together. I also really liked music. And though I had never taken an orchestra or band class in elementary/middle school like everyone else seemed to do, I enjoyed playing on this little Casio keyboard and taught myself some of the demo songs I liked. I think that this could actually be something I would enjoy as a kid, and could learn something. It seems that the next step would be to make sure that the child playing would also learn any proper fingering, which is really helpful as the piece played gets more complicated.

Reflection

It is quite difficult coming up with something that could possibly be used by others---especially children. I tend to throw away ideas that do not meet a certain percentage of expectations or constraints, and I think more on the ones that do and try to improve those to get them close to 100%. The other thing is, I often do this in my head, though this project shows that I should definitely write everything down. After coming up with the first toy concept, I found it was easier to come up with more as I scribbled down notes and sketches. It also helped me to think about the purpose for what we're making, rather than just making some toy that can entertain a kid for a little bit.