Gumbek

Didactic Toy for Kistra

Gumbek is a didactic plush toy that stimulates creativity and encourages the development of fine motor skills through play. This modular toy comes in parts and kids have to assemble their own toy by connecting the parts together in order to create a whole. There are seven different segments; three larger ones and four smaller ones. The pieces are attached to one another by threading the buttons through the buttonholes, which helps to improve fine motor skills, Also, the arrangement of different shapes helps to develop imagination and creativity as the toy can be put together in different ways.

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Kištra by Vavra Didactic Toy

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Gumbek Didactic Toy Press Releases

Press resources for Gumbek are offered in several languages: English.

Gumbek Didactic Toy Media Articles

We provide articles ready for publication on Gumbek, offered in several languages: Japanese, Hindi, English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Dutch, Chinese (Mandarin), Portuguese, Indonesian, Arabic (Standard), Turkish, Korean and Russian.

Unique Properties

Gumbeki are modular plush toys that stimulate creativity and enhance motor skills through play. Each toy consists of seven parts which children connect to each other by buttons in order to create a whole, which helps improve fine motor skills. The parts are made of colorful materials with different textures so they provide a good stimulus for the development of sensory integration. The arrangement of different shapes helps to develop imagination as the toy can be put together in lots of ways.

Tags

toy, soft toy, plush, didactic, educational, creative, children

Production Technology

I wanted to make a soft toy that kids could assemble themselves so I created a plushie that consists of several different parts that can be connected to each other with buttons. All of these parts are handmade. The fabric pieces are cut by hand, pinned together and sewn on a sewing machine. After that, they are turned over and stuffed. The hole left after stuffing is sewn shut by hand. The buttonholes are sewn on a sewing machine. The final step is to sew the buttons, which is also done by hand.

Design Challenge

I noticed a lack of emotional connection to toys in today's children, which is important for their development. Also, parents are increasingly giving kids activities on screens that can be harmful to children's physical development if used excessively. I wanted to create a soft toy that kids would connect to emotionally, but I also wanted them to learn an activity through play. Didactic toys are mostly made of hard materials, so it was a challenge creating a one with a soft tactile experience.

Project Duration

The project started in 2016. in Zagreb, Croatia and finished in 2018. when it was put on the Croatian market and exhibited in numerous exhibits, festivals and fairs, such as Zagreb Design Week or Exhibition of Croatian design 1718.

Operation Flow

This modular toy comes in parts and kids have to assemble their own toy by connecting the parts to one another. There are seven different segments; three larger ones with buttons and buttonholes sew, and four smaller ones with just buttonholes. The pieces are attached together by threading the buttons through the buttonholes. There are lots of different ways of putting them together, but for those children who view the toy as a puzzle there is an assemby scheme for the way we imagined them.

Research

Through the review of various literatures I researched the topics such as the history and different types of play, typology of toys, cultural differences, the impact and importance of playing for children's physical and emotional development etc. I also conducted two surveys on 200 parents about kids playing habits today and the importance of childhood toys. I found that children today have a large number of toys that often quickly bore them because they do not stimulate their development.

Inspiration

My grandmother, Ruzica Vavra, had one of the first toy productions and toy stores in Croatia. Her popular stuffed toys brought joy to many generations, but unfortunately the store was closed due to the arrival of global manufacturers on our market. I have always been inspired by that story, and after finishing my education at the Faculty of Architecture - School of Design, I decided to revive the family tradition from a designer's aspect, creating smart toys, stimulating for kids development.

Image Credits

Image #1 : Photographer Lea Vavra, Gumbeki, 2022. Image #2 : Photographer Lea Vavra, Gumbek - warm, 2022. Image #3 : Photographer Lea Vavra, Gumbek - cold, 2022. Image #4 : Photographer Lea Vavra, Gumbek - earthy, 2022. Image #5 : Photographer Lea Vavra, Gumbek assembly variations, 2022.

Project Overview

Gumbek Didactic Toy has been a Bronze winner in the Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design award category in the year 2023 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.

Bronze Recognition

Kištra by Vavra was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2024, a testament to excellence of their work Gumbek Didactic Toy.

Kištra by Vavra Press Releases

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Gumbek: A Modular Plush Toy Stimulating Creativity and Motor Skills

Kištra by Vavra Introduces Gumbek, a Didactic Toy for Children's Development

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