Core77

Makedo construction toy makes Lego look positively limiting

By Rain Noe - January 25, 2011

in Object Culture

From a cognitive development standpoint, you could argue that the strength of Lego is also its only drawback: The parts are standardized. Which is to say, a child never has to think about the connections or the materials, as they're both fixed. They are free to create--as long as they remain within the boundaries of what the building blocks are capable of.

Enter Makedo, which is something like Lego for the real world. It's a system of connectors that lets the child join a variety of material together, paper cups, cardboard, empty boxes, and whatever else you've got laying around. A series of simple (and safely blunted) tools enable the child to perform primitive construction operations and modify materials to accept the connectors, truly reinforcing the notion that you can shape the world around you with a little imagination and elbow grease.

How to makedo - extended from MAKEDO on Vimeo.

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Ed

13 years ago

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Why not just use sticky-tape, string, and glue? Much cheaper. Also, half the appeal of Lego is the accessories and the people.
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Casper Willer

13 years ago

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LEGO is actually playing in the field of non-standarized systems with their Muji collaboration http://www.muji.com/lego/
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Kelly G in ATX

13 years ago

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WOWZA! I am so getting one of these for myself, erm, I mean my three year old. This is such a cool toy!
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mimi

13 years ago

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this is fantastic! our 5-yr-old is in deep with cardboard creations. we have let him use a pocket knife, with our supervision, and would like him to know how to use knives respectfully. i am a fan of kids knowing how to use equipment, and a tool like this is a great segue into cutting!
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user name

13 years ago

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I've tried this toy. This saw is not harmful at all. You can try to cut your finger 5 minutes and you won't even see a scratch. However, cutting paper with this saw is a bit tiring work... Anyway, it is totaly safe for kids.
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Pj

13 years ago

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Hi John. The safe-saw is tested to meet all mandatory child safety standards for 3+ in the territories it is marketed. As with any object, it can be misused but its intention is to allow kids to get active in creative pursuit without putting sharps such as scissors and blades in their hands. It has proved to be a highly tactile and engaging device, especially for the younger makers.
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leonard hamersfeld

13 years ago

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The company is highly experienced in manufacture of these types of toys. All the items are tested, age graded and approved....go for it!
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Eric

13 years ago

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looks like a great idea, especially as far as dealing with another use for recyclable materials, and a way to teach kids about recycling (if that hasn't already been drilled into their heads), however I spotted a couple things right away. I see a possible choke hazard, so I was wondering about how they stand up to a choke gauge? Also I see one of the parts has a point, so what are the possibilities that a child being inside one of these cardboard castles or masks may possibly poke his/her eye out? I'd hate to see a product with such potential go the way of the "Red Ryder Lever Action BB rifle, with a real wood stock" (sorry, I know Christmas is over)
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Adam

13 years ago

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Hmm. This looks familiar... but I can't... quite... put... my finger on it...
http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/makedo_-_a_playful_toy_connector_kit_for_imaginative_minds_17709.asp
;-)
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john everett

13 years ago

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This looks interesting though I wonder about liability issues with that saw if this is to be marketed as a toy for children. 10 and over maybe?
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