Winner:GOLD - Best Creative Play (Craft)
Who:DJECO
What:La Mode
Why:
La Mode lets young designers aged 7–12 step into the world of fashion – no needles or thread required. Each kit – Marie, Lucille, or Caroline, gives children the opportunity to create stylish outfits for 25 cm dolls using real fabrics, easy-to-follow patterns, and high-quality materials. Illustrated booklets guide every step, making couture accessible, fun, and confidence-building. Children can cut and assemble their outfits, adding accessories and braids to personalise each look. Standing upright like real mannequins, the dolls showcase every finished outfit and let your child experience pride in their creations. Packaged in FSC®-certified cardboard, La Mode by combines creativity, sustainability, and self-expression, while offering an imaginative introduction into fashion.
This was hugely popular with our judges who all wanted to take it home for their children. A sure-fire sign that this is a Junior Design Award winner.
What a wonderful way to get children creating! Easy to use, thoughtful and encouraging creativity. Everything you need included. My daughter would love this!
Stylish, well-presented, and beautifully illustrated, the La Mode by kits have a distinctly Parisian charm. An inventive way to introduce children to fashion design without the need for sewing or complicated tools.
Winner:SILVER - Best Creative Play (Craft)
Who:Craft Buddy
What:Crystal Art Wildlife Buddies
Why:
These craft sets bring creativity, learning, and mindfulness together in one sparkling package. Designed for children aged 6+, each wooden animal comes from one of five wildlife locations — Safari, Jungle, Ocean, Down Under, or Misunderstood — and includes everything needed to decorate it with dazzling crystals. Every kit also features a collectible educational card with fun facts and a QR code for interactive learning. The JDA panel could see that these sets would be extremely absorbing for kids, offering a mindful activity with a fabulous result to be proud of at the end. Sustainably made from responsibly sourced wood, they offer screen-free, hands-on fun that encourages creativity, emotional intelligence, and a love of animals — a perfect blend of play and purpose.
Bright, charming, and accessible, these collectible wooden animals are visually engaging and thoughtfully scaled for children. A clever fusion of crafting, education, and mindful play.
Winner:BRONZE - Best Creative Play (Craft)
Who:Bandai
What:The Rainbow Loom Cute-ique Fantastic Dreams Set
Why:
Our judges could see how much fun this bracelet making kit would be and those with loom band fans in the family loved the brand-new Auto Loom™ mini-machine that enables kids aged 7+ to create single chain and fishtail rubber bracelets four times faster than before — no hooks needed! The JDA panel agreed that this kit would be perfect for crafty kids. A vibrant, playful introduction to jewellery-making that encourages self-expression and fun!
A clever evolution of a beloved creative brand. Affordable, inclusive, and fun.
If you know a loom band fanatic, you’ll know how much they would love this gift!
