In response to a brief combining sustainability with human-centered design, we developed ‘a toy they won’t throw away’ that grows with the child.

Noting the emotional attachment between young children and particular ‘character’ toys we developed ‘Hatch’ as a proof-of-concept. The duck was selected as a visually simple and appealing character to which a child might easily attach. (Ducklings attach to a symbolic ‘parent’ figure). A narrative accompanies the toy throughout its ‘life) beginning as an egg-shaped rattle toy, becoming a cuddly ‘duckling’, a wheeled ‘duck’. A duck-shaped book bag and so on.
This part of the project foccused on the ‘Duck’ wheeled toy and the combination of extra elements to extend play value.

Research into child development lead us to include prompts into scenario play with the range of toys. Encouraging children and guardians to play together improves both the education outcomes for the child and the lifespan of the toy.