Gold Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design · 2023
Tenki Spliced Magnetic Attraction Toy
- A' Design Award 2023 Gold Winner in Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design
- Awarded April 15, 2023
- CLIENT: Zhejiang Sci-Tech University Desis Lab
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 2,268,888
- Verification code 8A1CFBC811 · Verify this award
About Tenki Spliced Magnetic Attraction Toy
Tenki is a magnetic construction toy designed to teach children basic circuit knowledge. The set includes power generation modules, power consumption modules and structural connectors. Each module contains wires that are joined through magnetic connectors, so no wiring is exposed. Children assemble the modules freely and explore different ways of converting energy. In one combination, turning the handle of a hand-cranked generator supplies power to a buzzer and produces sound. The basic two-way connector measures 30 by 15 by 15 millimeters.
Linglin Liang's Tenki Spliced Magnetic Attraction Toy, recipient of the Golden A' Design Award in Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design, exemplifies the contemporary movement toward open-ended educational play systems that honor children's innate creative intelligence while providing thoughtfully engineered construction components. This modular magnetic building system operates within a design philosophy that balances engineering rigor with organic aesthetic sensibility, evident in the juxtaposition of precisely machined cylindrical connectors and softly curved propeller elements that suggest natural forms such as flower petals or wind-catching blades. The chromatic restraint of the ivory-white primary components allows the coral-orange accent pieces to function as visual punctuation, guiding attention toward kinetic elements and interactive attachment points while maintaining an overall palette that integrates harmoniously into contemporary domestic environments. The formal merit of this construction system lies in its elegant modularity, each tubular segment and spherical connector representing a grammatical unit within a larger language of spatial possibility that children intuitively comprehend and elaborate upon through hands-on exploration. The inclusion of wheel components and propeller elements extends the system beyond static sculpture toward vehicles, machines, and kinetic constructions that spin, roll, and transform, thereby engaging multiple developmental domains including fine motor coordination, spatial reasoning, cause-and-effect understanding, and imaginative narrative play. Material choices reflect careful consideration of tactile pleasure alongside safety requirements, the matte surface finish inviting repeated handling while the magnetic connection system provides satisfying resistance and secure attachment without requiring the precise alignment that frustrates younger builders. This toy participates in a distinguished lineage of constructivist play philosophy stretching from Froebel's gifts through to contemporary STEM education approaches, honoring the understanding that children construct knowledge through active manipulation of their physical environment. Viewers might consider how such thoughtfully designed objects shape not only individual play experiences but broader cultural attitudes toward creativity, engineering, and the relationship between aesthetic beauty and functional purpose.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Tenki is a splice type digital toys for children. This design provides basic power knowledge for children through different power generation modules and combination of power modules. Magnetic suction module is built into the toy structure to bury the wire into the connector. This form avoids the hidden danger of wire exposure caused by traditional electronic toys. Tenki aims to effectively connect children with digital life in a more accessible and low-threshold form.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The basic size of the two-way connector is 30 mm x 15 mm x 15 mm. The base size of the six-way connector is 60 mm x 60 mm x 60 mm.
- Tags
- Splicing toy, Magnetic attraction splicing, Circuit knowledge, STEAM education
- Production Technology
- This design includes power generation module, power consumption module, structural module and magnetic attraction. There are wires in each module, which are connected by magnetic attraction. The power generation module is connected with the structural and the power consumption module by magnetic attraction, and the electric energy generated by the power generation module is transmitted to the power consumption module by internally arranging wires.
- Design Challenge
- Due to the space limitation inside the connector, high-precision assembly is required when wires are built in, so that multiple wires are connected in parallel to each port.
- Project Duration
- The project started in September 2022 in China and finished in December 2022 in China.
- Operation Flow
- First of all: children can choose connectors at will and conceive building blocks. Secondly, select and assemble the appropriate power generation module and power consumption module. Finally, children can explore various combinations of energy conversion. For example, children can form a simple hand buzzer. By shaking the handle of the hand-cranked generator, the buzzer can be energized to make a sound.
- Research
- Type of Research: the combination of STEAM education and digital toys. Research Objectives: This design opens up a new way of space splicing in the form of low threshold, and makes fun STEAM toys that children really need. Methodology: circuit knowledge analysis, children's psychological analysis,
Material analysis, toy type size analysis. Data Collection: 6-9 years old children's user survey, market analysis, teaching material analysis. Tools Used: Rhinoceros 3D, Adobe Illustrator, KeyShot. - Inspiration
- With the gradual popularization of digital life, children at low age have a need for digital toys. However, most of the traditional digital toys for children are suitable for high age. Because of the high threshold, children of low age usually cannot have more suitable digital toys. We developed Tenki, aiming at using simple conductive structure as a carrier to spread interesting circuit knowledge. In the form of low threshold, children are exposed to the digital life.
Colors of Tenki Spliced Magnetic Attraction Toy
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Educational Toy Design and STEAM Product Innovation
We specialize in designing innovative educational toys and STEAM learning products for children. Our award-winning expertise combines child psychology, circuit knowledge, and safety-first design to create engaging, low-threshold digital toys that connect young learners with technology through…
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