Katja Runge

Cooplay – play table round by Irena Vent

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Cooplay arises as a response to the loss of contact with nature and the excessive consumption of toys during childhood. In my research I discovered many studies that pointed to the harmful effects on childhood of children spending more and more hours in enclosed spaces.

KokoLoko – playful furniture by Hana Ciliga Zadro

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KokoLoko is a bench, stool or a shelf, but at the same time a car or a doll house. A design that gives children a possibility to create a character in a playful furniture.

KILE – playful furniture by Taran Johanne Neckelmann

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KILE is a playful furniture that has at least 4 set furniture functions, which means that they can be a part of the furnishing solution in the children’s bedroom. But it can also be turned into whatever the children think of through play.

Alma Therapy Dolls – play therapy toys by Yaara Nusboim

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I did some research and was surprised to learn that to this day generic toys are being used for treatment of children with emotional problems, even though the therapist’s and the patient’s needs are very different from what regular toys can provide. This was my motivation for the project: to design therapeutic toys that are tailor-made for the treatment of children with emotional problems in order to make it easier for them to connect to their inner world and heal their soul.

afilii presents meaningful design for kids at Spielwarenmesse Nuremberg 2025

From 28 January to 1 February 2025 afilii – platform & community for meaningful design for kids presents at the renowned toy fair in Spielwarenmesse in Nuremberg ‘meaningful design for kids’.

TALKY – play therapy toys by Katalin Pataki

It was a thoughtful design step that my play therapy toy ”Talky” has simple formal appearance. It is more helpfull for the therapy, because children can see different meanings in the forms. And what the child imagines in the forms can be a telltale sign for the therapist.

Inclusive Furniture for children by Patrycja Badura

My main idea was to design a piece that would invite all children to play together in a way they feel comfortable, equal, resourceful and independent.

BILU toys – creative wooden toys for kids

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During the avantgarde Torres García was pioneer in Uruguayan toy design, creating his own brand ‘Aladdin Toys’. The geometric and simplicity of Clan shapes are inspired by this great artist.

Group Group – wooden building blocks by Nathan Paul Rice

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I wanted to make a series of playful objects for children that could also be enjoyed and appreciated by adults and where the parts could be interchangeable.

YaWood – rocking horse & play furniture by Argo4 Studio

The goal was to create an object that could be used individually, but that would be more funny when shared. It is made by a curved wood profile that follows the lines of the body. The design concept is inspired by the mother’s hand as a symbol of protection and kindness.

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