Best Creative Play (Screen Free / Mindful) | Junior Design Awards 2022

JUNIOR DESIGN AWARDS WINNERS FOR BEST CREATIVE PLAY (SCREEN FREE / MINDFUL): GOLD

WHO: Time Tokens

WHAT: A screentime management system using a fun voucher system that empowers kids to develop healthy screen-time habits.

WHY: When our generation came back from school there was TV, reading or playing outside – possibly a computer game or two. These days, highly addictive screentime has taken over and there is seldom a moment when a child takes some downtime without requesting or simply taking a screen to keep themselves entertained. Enter Time Tokens, a brand that our judges felt could really help families by empowering younger children to manage their own screen time with a system of tokens, incentives and a downloadable timer. Time Tokens also helps parents to find a framework that they can work within too, without constantly giving in and feeling like they’re failing. The JDA judges also thought the accompanying Screen Time Guide written by leading child psychologist Dr Elizabeth Kilbey was a great resource for parents.

These cards feel fun and empowering rather than something to feel hemmed in by. A great idea for families who want to create boundaries and limit screen time in a positive way. Its been wonderful to see this brand grow during the JDA and I just love the new packaging design.

It's amazing how screen time can creep up without you noticing. This feels like a great way to reduce the stress and disagreements that often crop up around phones, tablets and TV.

WHERE: Time Tokens and WHSmith

JUNIOR DESIGN AWARDS WINNERS FOR BEST CREATIVE PLAY (SCREEN FREE / MINDFUL): JOINT SILVER

WHO: MindShot

WHAT: MindShot Nature + Now Pocket-sized fun eco activity packs.

WHY: These beautifully designed, pocket-sized eco activity packs are a fantastic way to guarantee that kids take a 20 minute break from screen-time to do something stimulating, educational or creative . Our panel thought the tactile matte paper packages were perfect for little hands and that the element of surprise in each sealed pack would be really enticing for kids. The eco-focussed Nature + Now series that includes puzzles, stickers and fact files felt like a great selection that would also work well as a travel activity.

Mind shots are brilliant because you can take them anywhere. Pop them into your handbag to pull out when the kids are nagging you for your phone or you want to settle them at the table without resorting to a screen.

I really love the compact tactile feel and bright design of these packs that make the enclosed activities feel like an exciting treat!

WHERE: Digital Detox Kids and Not On The High Street

JUNIOR DESIGN AWARDS WINNERS FOR BEST CREATIVE PLAY (SCREEN FREE / MINDFUL): JOINT SILVER

WHO: Tonies

WHAT: Toniebox by Tonies - kids screen-free, portable audio player

WHY: These bright and cheerful audio players with their accompanying 3D figurines were a familiar sight to many our JDA judges who were already big fans of this innovative story telling cube that is triggered by placing a story character on top. The panel was impressed by the growing collection of story characters -over 90 options so far - including familiar Disney faces and iconic storybook heroes like Peter Rabbit and The Gruffalo. The ease of use for little hands, the multiple options for listening to content and even making content really impressed. A great way to keep kids entertained, develop listening skills and remove the need for screens.

An audio story is a wonderful way to help children unwind and Tonies are such a great way of empowering children to choose their own stories in a wonderfully tactile way.

Who needs a screen when you can have a whole shelf of beautifully crafted figurines that make stories magically come to life whenever you decide.

WHERE: Tonies, Very and John Lewis

JUNIOR DESIGN AWARDS WINNERS FOR BEST CREATIVE PLAY (SCREEN FREE / MINDFUL): BRONZE

WHO: Jellystone Designs

WHAT: DIY Calm Down Bottle - a refillable sensory bottle

WHY: The JDA editorial team and judges were mesmerised by these easy to hold, water filled sensory bottles. The panel was impressed with the ease of creating your own personalised bottle with just water, a dash of washing up liquid and the enclosed selection of sparkles and objects! The fact that you can refill and reuse these bottles with endless combinations of mini flotsam and jetsam time and time again, was a big plus and everyone was excited to hear that sensory bottles have been used by carers, teachers, & therapists to successfully help children (and grown-ups!) calm their breathing, self-regulate and improve focus.

A wonderfully tactile and visually stimulating toy that gives children something fascinating, yet soothing to focus on and calm them down.

Calming, beautiful to look at and robustly made - these are a great idea for calming toddlers and can be filled with anything from rice to tiny Lego pieces.

WHERE: Jellystone Designs