Best Creative Play | Junior Design Awards 2019
We created this brand new category for 2019. Why? Because there were so many play brands specifically designed to stimulate the imagination and yes, creativity that we felt they deserved an honour all of their own...
WINNER: JOINT GOLD BEST CREATIVE PLAY
WHO: Petit Collage - Shine Bright Collection
WHAT: A portable magnetic dress up and play set designed to inspire girls to dream big and shine bright! Each set includes two scenes contained within a handy tin case and more than 25 magnetic pieces so kids can lay out their characters, dress them and choose their surroundings.
WHY: Our judges loved the fact that this was so neatly packed and easily portable. The perfect on-the-go toy to keep them entertained without having to rely on a screen. Everyone loved the bright illustrations and endless magnet configurations as well as the gender norm shunning subject matter. Our judges said:
Love the cute design & idea behind it.
Why haven’t we see female astronauts in toy shops before?! This is great!
Magnets are genius. No falling out everywhere
Great play set, beautiful design and +++ for being eco-friendly!
WHERE: Petit Collage
More like this
WINNER: JOINT GOLD BEST CREATIVE PLAY
WHO: Cotton Twist - Gift Range
WHAT: A playful selection of engaging crafts that give children a project to get their teeth into. Ranging from colourful beading kits & craft selection boxes, to ocean / wildlife scenes & story tokens, the emphasis is on creativity and sustainability. With minimal plastic in their packaging and paper and wood based components these kits are a refreshing change from the glut of plastic packaging we usually see.
WHY: These intricate, and beautifully conceived kits are perfect for mini crafters looking for a project they can be proud of. The planet friendly topics will definitely spark awareness and conversation about protecting the world around us and the finished result is a keep-sake piece that can be kept on display. Our judges were so impressed with this entry and said:
Beautiful design! Love the sustainable element too.
Cute gift idea that would hold their attention. Great for imagination and we love that it’s wooden.
WHERE: Cotton Twist
WINNER: JOINT SILVER BEST CREATIVE PLAY
WHO: My Busy Bots
WHAT: Colourful, portable and reusable zipped pouches filled with engaging activities to encourage learning through play.
WHY: Our judges felt that these kits were perfect for slipping into a handbag or taking along on a trip away. The strong educational element was much appreciated as was the ‘mess free’ promise. Great for keeping children entertained on the go without leaving glue smears on train tables and ideal for keeping little minds stimulated without resorting to screen time.
Super fun and clever activities for kids, and great price range too!
Great product, great price point, our kids play with them and they are genuinely engaging. Plus they come with a coffee sachet!
I love the packs and what’s inside - how wonderful! Great to encourage growing minds
Such a clever yet simple design with so many uses, I love it!
WHERE: My Busy Bots
WINNER: JOINT SILVER BEST CREATIVE PLAY
WHO: Of Unusual Kind Paper Dolls
WHAT: Celebrating the cherished tradition of paper dolls, these kits contain everything you need to make and dress a vintage inspired paper doll. Each doll comes with exquisitely hand-illustrated clothing and accessories, providing hours of fun and endless stylish configurations. Hand illustrated by founder and creative director, Anja Kroencke, the paper dolls are printed in the USA and hand assembled with care in their studio in NYC.
WHY: These dolls are SO beautiful! Was the general consensus amongst our judges who loved this refresh of a time old tradition. There was a lot of love for the Frida Khalo doll and our panel were very excited about the inclusive feel of this range that presents dolls with a whole range of different hair and skin colours. The beautiful and intricate illustrations with their quirky details were much admired. Our judges wrote in their notes:
Gorgeous : )
These are gorgeous - remind me of the paper dolls I used to play with but a modern updated version.
Beautiful, unique playsets.
When craft gets this stylish it turns out to be something I actually look forward to doing with my girls.
WHERE: Of Unusual Kind
WINNER: BRONZE BEST CREATIVE PLAY
WHO: WALKYTALKIES
WHAT: Bright and beautiful children's socks specifically designed to be used as sock puppets as well as being worn in the conventional way. With 16 different models there is a character for everyone.
WHY: First of all: Great name! We do love a clever pun. Our judges were super impressed with the huge range of sock puppets available in this range and could see them making a great gift or stocking filler that would provide plenty of fun and entertainment with no tech necessary. Our judges commented:
Love this idea. Nothing new about making socks into puppets but love how they have turned this idea into a creative product for children.
Give a child a sock puppet and you’ve unlocked hours of silly fun and crazy voices –at least in our house. Love the fact that these are fine enough to be worn so they have a life beyond puppetry.
WHERE: WALKYTALKIES