Best Toy Design 3-5 Years | Junior Design Awards 2020

JUNIOR DESIGN AWARDS 2020 PLATINUM WINNER: Best Toy Design 3-5 Years

WHO: Triclimb Ltd

WHAT: A multifunctional, interconnecting range of climbing toys featuring innovative locking joints. Designed to support development and encourage imagination and open-ended play.

WHY: The Triclimb (pronounced Tree Climb) product range proved to be a huge draw during our JDA20 judging day and many of our judges were intrigued and excited by this slimline, colourful climbing apparatus for toddlers and young children. They loved the fact that this development of the traditional Pikler triangle design was ethically made, versatile and was perfect for entertaining children indoors or out – providing them with endless open ended play opportunities and a very real framework for physical development. With scope to add and build to your Triclimb with additional products that lock safely together without the need for tools or tricky assembly instructions, this toy proved to be a huge, platinum winning hit with our panel.

WHERE: TriClimb

JUNIOR DESIGN AWARDS 2020 GOLD WINNER: Best Toy Design 3-5 Years

WHO: Yoto Player

WHAT: A carefully connected screen-free speaker and audio library with no camera, no microphone and no advertising, made for kids and controlled with physical cards.

WHY: Our judges really loved this simple but well designed audio library that gives kids access to an ever-growing curated selection of audiobooks, music, educational activities, podcasts, radio and sound effects without the worry of access to the internet or dependence on a screen. Simply listening to content is such a great way of improving concentration and developing imaginations and our judges felt that this was a great way for children to have some autonomy over what, when and where they listened, without adults having to worry about the content they access. The simple cards that active the audio system and the ability for families to record their own stories or songs and link to a card were other impressive factors.

WHERE: Yoto Play

JUNIOR DESIGN AWARDS 2020 SILVER WINNER: Best Toy Design 3-5 Years

WHO: Le Toy Van – Oxford Kitchen

WHAT: A wooden kitchenette toy designed to promote extensive pretend play complete with kitchen utensils including a whisk, a spoon, a salt and a pepper..

WHY: Our judges really liked this modern and layered interpretation of the classic play kitchen. The sweet butler’s sink, built in microwave and kitchen window complete with curtain really appealed to the panel who felt it would keep children engaged and interested over a long period of time. The added extras including beautifully carved salt and pepper grinders and a whisk and wooden spoon added to the sense that is is a well made, thoughtfully put together toy that can be passed down through many children.

WHERE: Le Toy Van

JUNIOR DESIGN AWARDS 2020 BRONZE WINNER: Best Toy Design 3-5 Years

WHO: Tender Leaf Toys – Bird’s Nest Café

WHAT: A wooden cafe with accessories for children to create their own coffee shop.

WHY: Many of our judges observed that at a time when heading out to a café isn’t something you can necessarily take for granted, a coffee shop in your own home is a wonderful thing! Our panel loved the attention to detail in this authentic wooden frame café that comes complete with coffee machine and a host of amazing accessories including cutlery, teabags, a chocolate shaker and much more. That this café can be placed on any table top makes it very versatile and a great space saving idea and our judges really felt that this toy would be great for endless roleplay sessions and creative play. So much fun!

WHERE: Tender Leaf Toys