Kiko + brings Art. Play and the Forest to Children
When I first saw Kiko + at a pop-up shop in Osaka, I was impressed with the brand's aesthetics- its clean design and the concept of bringing nature back into play objects.
In Japan, children are fascinated with this toy vending machine we call "gatcha gatcha". Its name is an onomatopoeia, derived from the very sound the machine makes when one turns the knobs.
Here's a photo of my own baby being really obsessed with it.
With each turn of the vending machine's knob, the machine rattles the plastic capsules inside until one falls out with a surprise toy. With Gatcha Gatcha, Kiko + re-invents this children's favourite, bringing to it, a hearty and delightful finish with the set of 40 beads and 5 different shapes in beautiful colours. The pieces are all made from wood and is a much appreciated departure from the plastics that already crowd our nurseries and playrooms.
Kaz Shiomi, Kukkia's director, wanted to produce wooden toys to help kids use their imagination and enjoy every moment of play.
The tactile feeling of a weighted wooden object engages the senses more so than a plastic toy can. In the former, it is alive and it is connected to nature.
Looking at the range of toys for Kiko + (which references Wood or Ki and Kid or Ko), I think they are quite successful in being another choice alternative for kids today. Other toys are really great at teaching motor skills such as stacking, sorting and even creativity.
I hope to see Kiko + in Singapore!
Images are taken from Kiko Kids. And they are sold throughout various online shops.