Ideas for a portable screen-free toy for waiting rooms and travel

[productdesignactivities]

Hi everyone, I’m an A level Design student and I’m just starting my coursework project where I’ll be designing and building a portable product, so I would really appreciate some feedback and ideas.

The idea is to create a portable interactive product mainly aimed at children, but also possibly older people, to use in places where theres lots of waiting around like hospitals, GP waiting rooms, airports, restaurants etc.

The main purpose is to help keep children entertained without constantly using phones or ipads, while also helping with learning and emotional calmness. I’ve noticed alot of kids instantly go onto screens when waiting and I wanted to try create something that is more engaging but not addictive.

Some things I’m trying to include are:
• sensory/tactile features
• calming activities
• educational elements
• easy to clean/sterilise materials
• ergonomic and comfortable design
• durable and portable for public spaces
• suitable for different ages and abilities

I also want it to be useful for neurodivergent children or people who struggle with anxiety in busy environments.

I’d really like to know:
• what helps keep your children calm while waiting?
• would you actually carry/use something like this?
• what features would make it more useful?
• any hygiene concerns in shared/public spaces?
• do you think screen-free entertainment is realistic nowdays?

I’m still in the early stages so honestly any opinions, criticism or extra ideas would help alot because I want to make something thats genuinely useful rather then just another toy.

Thank you

I think you are looking for a unicorn product here. My kids were little before screens, I would take a selection of small things depending on what they were interested in at the time, it varies so much by age. You need no small pieces that could get lost, nothing "precious", things that aren't noisy, things that are easy to have prepared to go. A book ticks a lot of those boxes, but even then you need different ones for different ages. I would target a particular development stage if you do want to go down this route.

How about a pack of ideas of little games to play or activities to do? For example, we did I Spy from a very young age, before they knew their letters, we did "spot something that is x colour". We played "what's the time Mister Wolf" while waiting at the bus stop. (Both mine have ADHD, but we didn't join the dots until they were adults.)

I think screen free is definitely realistic, but I think the parent needs to be screen free too so they can be involved in keeping the child occupied if it's something like a waiting room situation.

Do you know anybody with children, perhaps in your family or friends of your parents or friends' older siblings? Spending some time with children IRL will probably be useful for your research if you can manage this at all.

• what helps keep your children calm while waiting?
Adult attention is the main thing. Or something novel to discover - e.g. if there are toys in a waiting area that they don't have at home.

• would you actually carry/use something like this?
I don't really have a sense of what the product is, so I'm not sure. I tend to bring small activity/colouring books and pencils for my children if I'm trying to avoid screen time, or we talk/play verbal games (like 20 questions or I spy).

• what features would make it more useful?
Self-contained packaging so that it can be kept together in a bag, and used when we might not have access to a table is helpful. Or being one piece so it doesn't have small parts which might get lost.

It has to be something quiet so that it doesn't disturb other people. So ideally no games involving shouting out for example.

• any hygiene concerns in shared/public spaces?
Sorry I don't understand this question. I don't see what hygiene concerns I would have.

• do you think screen-free entertainment is realistic nowdays?
Yes of course, but it's difficult to have one product which provides novelty and entertainment in a sustainable way. Most of the time children get bored of things when they have done them a few times. Something which has an element of being different every time is good.

My DCs absolutely loved this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/SmartGames-Puzzler-Travel-Cognitive-Skill-Building/dp/B01G3PYWCW/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=185220148063&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3Q71lkoe5zfSrxz7OB-1KQVDDX3J_qL7dfAOSLjenCSKnR5Yc5Mv-KmuaDDEwMjPakWZ2qhdoxUR0AEc4l3h8wXVNtMmejX6IYFZSpJJDq9-TiyzalwbEx0ThI_C6-rWxUtUj_jBdO_HO9QPDSMtWa7uSwtgg26zEoXuCqGsxnL5ePhpARUkbWyavOHhvXMWewkWd9dJK09Us8crFlUCCw.qINzkxUKQ7EK1Eto5BYsYPu4B4c2SiT5H6-W3GHD6hU&dib_tag=se&gad_source=1&hvadid=793384961748&hvdev=m&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9045119&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=1048136482598976285--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1048136482598976285&hvtargid=kwd-316461654673&hydadcr=29318_2575432_374788&keywords=iq+games+for+kids&mcid=444c4d667e77335299dd8bbf7a0e9339&qid=1779708516&sr=8-3

and a bit younger
https://www.axelbooks.com/products/usborne-sparkly-stickers-5-books-collection-set-sparkly-summer-fairies-unicorns-princesses-and-sparkly-sticker?variant=44225220575407&currency=GBP&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google%2Bshopping&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18725986282&gbraid=0AAAAAoK7J2RtQOakQseIwX-cwhCpeFAsQ&gclid=CjwKCAjw5s_QBhAdEiwADD_gBqT5lhv2N_MYM3xAo37Lcan1J6YZNm48N0WCbSfm4OYLJM7RbQ9A5xoCFhgQAvD_BwE

YY a pack of cards with different ideas or puzzles on is a good one, we have a set of these (Usbourne 50 things to do on a plane) although it needs a dry-wipe pen which is a pain as those rarely last very long before drying up, and they can stain if they get onto soft furnishings.

If you can think up a kind of puzzle which somehow changes each time you do it rather than just having a set of puzzles which can be exhausted because once you've done it 3-4 times you memorise all the answers.

Look at products which are already marketed for use while waiting or travelling, those things are helpful. Travel versions of board games etc. One Card Maze is a clever one.

A book?

There were no screens when I had young children. I would have killed for one , really don't understand the aversion to them . Seems like another way to make it hard for Mums .

We had a portable AquaDraw, which we never used at home so it was a bit of a novelty. No messy pen, it's water, just had to fill the pen before going out. (could refill in a bathroom if needed).

I do like the idea of some kind of changing puzzle, like a lucky 8 ball, where you click something, then is chooses what you play from a set of, say 8 ideas.

I spent a lot of time with my kids in waiting rooms as both have SEN, these are my thoughts:

1. they loved whatever toy was there because of novelty value, even if it was shit and broken. A new hospital or clinic was a thrill for them as there would be something new!
2. i only let them play with the provided toys if I could give them a wipe down with an antibacterial wipe first, hygiene was a huge concern for me
3. i always took toys of our own, something compact and self contained that could be easily picked up and packed away - if you suddenly get called in to your appointment you need to be able to grab the toy quickly
4. nothing noisy - if you’re waiting somewhere for hours the last thing you need is a tinny tune on repeat
5. books were a preference of ours as we could make them last ages, looking at each page in detail, discussing and chatting about little details
6. when they were old enough, Where’s Wally was a godsend