V.Ryan © 2025

A local toy company is seeking innovative and engaging products to expand its selection of educational toys, for children aged 8–12. The goal is to develop a new version of the classic steady hand game, which combines fun with learning.

The electronic game should incorporate hand-eye coordination and challenges in a playful / fun way.

You (the designer) must create a steady hand game based on an exciting theme (E.G. outer space, jungle adventure, or a racing track), to capture the interest and maintain the attention of children.

The game should feature a buzzer and/or LED, that activate, when a metal loop touches the wire, creating an interactive experience.

In addition, your design must be user friendly and safe for children, with the circuit held securely within a base unit. The final product must be both cost-effective to manufacture and robust enough to withstand frequent use, by energetic young players.

The steady hand game should be aesthetically appealing and stand out in the competitive toy market.

Consider using eco-friendly materials, where possible.

A concept design is the initial stage of the design process, where ideas are generated and visualised.

Concept designs often include sketches, rough models, or digital renderings that convey the overall vision and key features of a product, space, or system. While not a final design, concept designs aim to communicate the core idea clearly and inspire further development.

The design of this electronic steady hand game for children appears well-thought-out and engaging.

Positives
Interactive Components: The wire loop and wand mechanism are classic and effective for testing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Including a buzzer and / or an LED enhances interactivity and provides immediate feedback, making it enjoyable for children.

Thematic Handles: The yellow hand-shaped supports are visually appealing and child-friendly, adding a touch of playfulness that young users will appreciate.

Safety Considerations: Having an MDF base and securely mounted components suggests durability and safety, essential for a children's product. The on/off switch and reset button provide added control and usability.

Improvement Opportunities
Visual Appeal: Introducing a cohesive theme (e.g. space, jungle or sports) across the design elements, could make the product more engaging.
Adjustable Difficulty: Adding replaceable wire mazes of varying complexity, could broaden the game's appeal to children of different ages or skill levels.
Educational Value: Transparent sections to show the internal circuit or an accompanying guidebook, could teach children basic concepts about circuits, sparking curiosity and learning.

Overall: The game is a solid foundation for a fun and educational product, but incorporating additional features like thematic elements or modularity could take it to the next level.

Thematic Design
The theme of the steady hand game is important because it must capture children's attention.
For example, an ‘outer space theme’ could feature a rocket-shaped wand navigating through a wire maze, with a background designed like an asteroid field.
Alternatively, a ‘jungle theme’ might involve a vine-shaped wire and a jungle background.

Educational Value
The circuit will include components that introduce basic electronics. The PCB will hold a thyristor, resistors, LED, push to break switch, slide switch and battery snap.

Ergonomics
A comfortable and ergonomically designed grip for the wand, making it easy for smaller hands to use.

Durability
Use robust materials for the wire and wand to prevent wear and tear.
Ensure the base is stable, perhaps with a non-slip bottom or weighted material.

Safety
Securely ‘house’ electronic components, ensuring they are inaccessible to children. The steady hand game will be powered by low-voltage batteries to minimise risks.

Eco-Friendliness
Consider using recycled or biodegradable materials for the game’s base and wand.

Packaging and Assembly
The product could come as a DIY kit, allowing kids to build it themselves with parental supervision. This approach not only teaches them assembly skills, but also deepens their understanding of how the game works.

Marketing
You could design a poster aimed at promoting the game. The poster must interest parents / guardians as well as the potential users (young children).