Turning Trash into Treasure

It's Christmas time and you've spent a huge amount of money on some extravagant, shiny gift.

Your kid pulls off the bow and paper pulling the new truck out of the box. Placing it aside, they begin to play inside the box. Blown away? You shouldn't be. Our minds are creative and as young children we were still untempered. We could make fun out of just about anything and the newest technology really meant nothing to us. It was only time before someone saw this and decided to cash in; but, ultimately the real fascination is behind the implementation.

Kid's Learning Happens Through Play

The toy launched in Australia a few years ago and has been growing steadily. Now showing up in

American stores, the idea is to conserve, recycle, and reuse what parents once considered trash. In the formative years of a child's development, this is the most critical time frame to teach them how to think. By infusing creative play, Makedo has turned trash into a kit/toy. The current toy is composed of three main components: zip-tie like a "re-clip", an adjustable "lock-hinge", and a dull, plastic "see-saw". The company has opened up a user-submitted gallery on their website where customers can post photos of their creations; surprisingly all quite different ranging from mazes and robots to wedding dresses.

Considered the Anti-Toy

Appealing to kids is really their starting block to success. Admittedly, most parents cannot understand why their children want to play with trash. It seems to not be as appealing as the shiny toy trucks and Barbie dolls lining the shop aisles. After putting up a fight and winning numerous awards, the company is starting to get the respect and market share they deserve. Currently in America, they are being offered in stores like Fat Brain Toys and MindWare. They've started making two types of kits that allow for free play or ones with instructions on designs that could help the less creative of us. This play-toy is probably the best anti-toy on the market and one of the most creative 'ah-ha' moments I've seen to date. I'm sad to say that I'm past my child formative years, but as a college student I'm still highly considering investing in a kit. Niche market or not, they've blown my mind. Props to you Makedo; keep on innovating.