JONA

ONA is a construction toy designed to support developmental play through tactile, open-ended interaction. It invites children to build freely using a joinery system of hair ties to connect colorful triangles and squares made from beech wood. The simplicity and flexibility of the system open up a wide range of play possibilities and leave room for children’s imagination to develop. Designed for children aged 7–10, the system encourages creativity, fine motor skills, spatial understanding, patience, and collaborative play. From abstract geometric structures to recognizable objects, and further into creatures and animals, JONA opens up a fantasy world made of triangles and squares for children to explore. The project is grounded in research on psychology, pedagogy, and toy design, focusing on the value of analogue and explorative play in an increasingly digitalized childhood. By combining a simple joining principle with a high degree of creative freedom, JONA creates playful learning experiences that continuously evolve through experimentation and imagination.