OddBlocks creates opportunities for interactions in surprising and imaginative ways. Spontaneous creations become the basis of play with limitless possibilities.
Playful learning typically involves objects with which children play to learn. Children learning shapes, for example, handle objects of different forms, perhaps tracing the forms with their fingers in addition to seeing them. In this way, it embodies cognition.
Dr. Angeline S. Lillard
‘Playful Learning and Montessori Education’
American Journal of Play, vol. 5 no. 2 (2013)
OddBlocks encourages curiosity and open-ended play, allowing for playful interactions such as 3D puzzles, stacking games, improvised stationery, fidget objects, permutable tabletop sculptures, imaginary creatures, playscapes and more.
OddBlocks creates scenarios for inventive play and imaginative engagements. As adults in the creative field, we already had preconceived ideas of how to compose shapes and volumes. However, OddBlocks presents a new experience of trying to uncover something fresh, simply because the shapes are odd — not your normal geometrical usuals. Because they are odd, there is lesser resistance to have order in the way we play. Perhaps play for children should be as free-minded as this.
Timo Wong and Priscilla Lui
STUDIO JUJU
OddBlocks is designed with an underlying system between the surfaces and proportions, stimulating discovery of these relationships and how they relate to the environment and objects in our daily lives.
It is designed to grow with a child, facilitating different types of play at different ages. It is simple, yet versatile — allowing playful interactions that feed our curiosity and desire to understand the world.
Play develops empathy — an important trait for communication — and allows us to connect to one another.
Play ideas may not come easily for everyone, and we believe no one should be stressed over play. We have developed a series of play ideas as an open resource, hoping it will serve as a starting point for play!
These free-to-download play ideas are intentionally designed to facilitate printing with any home printer that can print PDF files in A4 size. We will be releasing more PDFs progressively.
Please feel free to drop us suggestions on how you have been creatively playing with OddBlocks. We aim to create a platform where ideas for purposeful play can be freely shared.
A resource kit for educators is separately available for use in schools. Please contact us via email to find out how we support educators in using OddBlocks for meaningful play.
I do believe that all kids and even most adults enjoy playing and fooling around with building blocks, stacking bricks and other similar play objects. And when we were first introduced to OddBlocks, we were really intrigued and eager to try them out. Firstly, the geometrical shapes of the blocks were different from regular ones. They are very comfortable to hold and while certain pieces can be joined like 3D puzzles, they also encourage imaginative free play. Secondly the texture of the granulated cork material is so pleasant to touch, not to mention it is great that they are made from sustainable raw materials that is naturally mould-resistant. OddBlocks are indeed awfully interactive and ingenious, definitely for anyone who enjoys some curious exploration with their hands and minds.
Claire, Renn, Aira and Pann created OddCreatures, an art exhibition showcasing a series of imaginary creatures made using OddBlocks as a printmaking tool.
HOLYCRAP.SG
These peculiar play objects are made from granulated cork, a sustainable raw material that is naturally mould-resistant, soft, and light.
Box set contains 24 odd-shaped playing blocks, which can be configured into 8 different cubes, each measuring 60mm x 60mm x 60mm.
Size of blocks range from 40mm x 40mm x 20mm to
60mm x 60mm x 60mm.
OddBlocks is pending safety certification.
Suitable for all ages.
Designed in Singapore, made in Portugal.
OddBlocks was conceived from our search for a suitable toy for a child. As designers, we were looking for something that was thoughtfully produced, and did not feed into the throwaway culture of age-specific toys. Although there are already some great products out there, we saw an opportunity to do something about it, and have fun in the process.
Nicole Ong, Founder
PUPILPEOPLE
Pupilpeople is a design studio based in Singapore. We are interested in the role of design to create meaningful interactions for society.
© Pupilpeople Design Pte Ltd, all rights reserved