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Project Play

Play is critical for healthy childhood development and it is also an important part of malnutrition treatment, however many children do not have access to toys. UNICEF will reuse RUTF cardboard boxes and other packaging as fun and appropriate toys.

A photo of a ball and animal stacking block made out of cardboard. RUTF packets are in the foreground.

The challenge

Play is critical for healthy childhood development, helping build cognitive, social and physical skills. It is also an essential part of severe acute malnutrition treatment, with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommending 15-30 minutes of play stimulation per day for recovery.

Each year, UNICEF delivers thousands of tons of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), a fortified, peanut paste for treating malnutrition in children under five. In 2021, 3.5 million RUTF cardboard boxes circulated the world. There is an opportunity recycle these boxes into relevant and fun toys.

UNICEF is also working to address climate change through sustainable procurement across all supplies. Our environmental impact has consequences for children, their future and planet they will inherit.

An icon of two boxes, one has a tiger face on it and the other a rabbit face.

15-30 minutes

WHO recommends 15-30 minutes of play stimulation per day for malnutrition recovery.

3.5 million

In 2021, 3.5 million cardboard boxes circulated the world as part of RUTF packaging.

5 million children

UNICEF could reach an estimated 5 million children by recycling RUTF carboard boxes into toys to support malnutrition recovery.

The response

UNICEF will print and pre-cut toys on the flaps of corrugated cardboard cartons, recycling boxes into toys for malnutrition recovery and learning through play.

In 2021, a design institute was contracted to create a range of carboard toys which help develop cognitive, motor and social skills in children aged six months to five years. All toys have inclusive elements (contrast colours, tactile features, easy to grip) so children with and without disabilities can play with them. How-to-use guides will also be included for adults building the toys, and crayons ideally provided so children can colour them in.

There are three key applications of Project Play:

Malnutrition recovery: Toys will be printed on RUTF boxes to support the recovery of children through play stimulation, maximizing impact with almost no additional cost or shipping needs.
Emergency response: Toy designs will be printed on flat pieces of carboard shipped to or printed at child-friendly spaces and Blue Dots Hubs in conflict or disaster zones. Play provides a sense of routine for children in crises, helping them feel safe.
Learning through play: UNICEF will explore adding toy designs to all packaging to support early childhood development. As a public good, UNICEF will also publish all designs online so other organizations can benefit from this innovation.

In late 2022, Project Play will be trialled in three countries in existing UNICEF-supported health centres providing RUTF treatment to prove and refine the concept.

A gif of 'pop up smile' a paper toy where you can show and hide a smile.

UNICEF/Supply Division/2022/Porritt

An early Pop-up Smile prototype for general learning though play. Later versions may have changes to clothing for gender diversity.

A graphic of a flat box with toy designs printed on the flaps

UNICEF

A mockup of a Gaze-and-roll Ball and Animal Stacking Blocks printed on UNICEF RUTF box flaps. Both toys are specifically designed to support malnutrition recovery in young children through play stimulation.

The impact

Through this frugal innovation UNICEF will be able to supply simple, yet effective toys to children with severe acute malnutrition, increasing the likelihood of recovery.

By recycling packaging and giving cardboard boxes a second life UNICEF also limits waste, contributing to a more sustainable world for future generations.

If scaled, this project has the potential to reach up to five million children per year – the number of children who received UNICEF-supported severe acute malnutrition treatment and care in 2019. If toy designs are added to the packaging of other supplies, UNICEF could potentially reach tens of millions of children per year.

While it may sound like fun and games, play is a critical part of healthy childhood development

The first five years of life are a critical period of brain growth in every child, with learning taking place at a speed that will never be equalled. Through play children build cognitive and motor skills and learn through experimentation – figuring out how the world works for themselves. It also teaches social skills, including leadership and group skills.

When a child is malnourished, the lack of nutrients affects both their body and their brain, and it can halt critical cognitive development. By providing toys and encouraging play UNICEF can help ensure children’s brains begin to recover. The presence of toys will also help UNICEF raise awareness of the importance of play among caregivers.

UNICEF/UN0633976/Holerga

A little boy plays with plastic blocks on the floor of a classroom. Stacking blocks or geometric tiles help promote object identification and categorization. Children also learn basic concepts, such as two squares can form a rectangle and two triangles can form a square. Blocks also help develop eye-hand coordination and balance.