Playsafe Competition

What is it?

Playsafe is a toy design competition run by Trading Standards in association with the British Toy and Hobby Association.  Ensuring toys are safe is an important part of our work and the competition helps to highlight the features necessary for a child's toy.

 

What does it involve?

The challenge is for young people in three categories (two age groups 6 - 11 and 12 - 17 years old, and students from Special Schools) to design a toy suitable for children aged three to seven. As well as drawing their designs, they have to provide detailed notes explaining how the toy is to be used, the safety features and the play and child development benefits. They must also show whether the toy is for indoor or outdoor use and if it is suitable for children with special needs.

The winners are announced at the Trading Standards Annual Conference in June.  Prizes are awarded, and the best young designers in each category receive a £100 gift token, and their school is awarded a £100 gift token.  One overall winner will receive an additional £1,000 worth of IT equipment of their choice for their school.

 

The 2010 competition

We received 549 toy designs from Kent schools and the top 15 designs from each age group (primary schools aged 6-11) and Secondary schools (aged 12-17) were sent to the national organisers for judging.

There were 118 entries nationally and the winners were announced by the judges, including the British Toy and Hobby Associated, during the Young Consumers of the Year competition at the Trading Standards Insititute National Conference.

 

First prize for Kent student

Rebekka Wearon from the Holywell Primary School, Sittingbourne won the first prize for the 6-11 age group for her design 'Nature Time'.

Joint 2nd place in the 12 - 17 age group

Molly Smith from the Homewood School & 6th Form Centre, Tenterden won joint 2nd prize for the12-17 age group for her design 'My name is Francis'.

 

Highly commended

19 Kent students were awarded 'Highly Commended', for their designs. The students are from the following schools: Allington Primary, Bodsham Primary, Brenzett Primary, Chiddingstone Primary, Dymchurch Primary, Holywell Primary, Kings Farm Primary, Mersham Primary, Molehill Primary, Yalding Primary, Homewood Secondary School & Highsted Grammar School.

 

More Information

Kent schools that are interested in entering the competition and would like more information can email Sandra Cook or call her on 01233 614067.