Little Locksmith: A Unique Wooden Educational Toy for Kids

Combining Cognition Training and Storytelling

This industry-leading wooden educational toy, designed by Qiongzhi Qian, Yibo Dai, and Linling Shi, is a one-of-a-kind creation that provides interactive fun while meeting the requirements of multiple cognitive training for children. Inspired by key-switches, the Little Locksmith is not just a toy but a tool for developing and cultivating children's imagination and manipulative abilities.

The Little Locksmith stands out from other toys with its combination of five sets of keys and locks, each representing different themes. The five lock cylinders are designed to match keys of various shapes and colors, with only the correct key able to open each lock. This unique feature helps children recognize shapes and colors while engaging in a fun and interactive play experience.

What sets the Little Locksmith apart is its focus on cognitive development. The five locks correspond to different cognitive exercises for children under 3 years old, including animals, fruits, weather, marine life, and vehicles. By exploring these themes, children can effectively enhance their coordination abilities of eye and hand.

The design of the Little Locksmith is not only educational but also visually appealing. Each lock handle features distinct animal-related elements, which are consistent with the cute animal shapes on the keys. The choice of bright colors, along with contrasting color designs, not only attracts children's attention but also integrates various cognitive exercises, saving users' purchase costs.

The realization of the Little Locksmith involves a clever combination of cognition training and storytelling. Each lock body has two windows that can be opened. The top window displays objects related to the theme, while the bottom window showcases corresponding scenes. For example, the top window may feature a snowflake and snowmen, while the bottom window depicts scenes of making snowmen. This interactive feature allows children to explore different scenes and objects, enhancing their observational skills and imagination.

In addition, parents can engage with their children by turning the scroll wheel in the bottom window, displaying different scenes. This allows parents to lead their children to find and identify designated objects in the scene, while also telling them various interesting stories based on the five attached picture-books.

The Little Locksmith is not only designed to be a toy but also a decorative piece. The lock's appearance can be hung on the wall, seamlessly blending into the indoor environment. This feature also makes it easy to store in daily life, providing users with a convenient and caring experience.

The Little Locksmith project was completed in August 2021 in China, with extensive research in children's cognitive science serving as the foundation for its development. The design team overcame various creative, technical, and research challenges to create a truly unique and engaging toy for children.

This exceptional design has been recognized with the Iron A' Design Award in the Toys, Games, and Hobby Products category in 2022. This award is given to well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. The Little Locksmith stands out for its integration of industry best practices, competent technical characteristics, and its contribution to a better world by providing fulfillment and positive experiences for children.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Yibo Dai
Image Credits: Yibo Dai
Project Team Members: Qiongzhi Qian Yibo Dai Linling Shi
Project Name: Little Locksmith
Project Client: Yibo Dai


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