flavor folk

Fall 2025 8 Weeks KU x Inspired Homes Show

Create an educational kitchen toy for children that facilitates

fine motor development, cultural connection, & play.

user group

A toy for curious children ages 6–10 who enjoy hands-on, DIY activities, & for parents seeking a safe, educational experience that fosters togetherness and cultural immersion.

research suggests kids should be playing with food…

Allowing children hands-on kitchen experience such as measuring, mixing, and preparing food builds confidence, fine motor & math skills, & encourages curiosity through play. This also fosters independence, meaningful family connections, & helps children develop a positive, lifelong relationship with food.

in person interviews

Anne Marie Wertin, mom of 7

needs: fills time between cooking tasks

"We don't use convenience items, I want something that will encourage slowness and intentionality."

Clare Wertin, daughter

needs: cute, fun to play with

"Sometimes I want to take a break from cooking to play."

Jeni Doolittle, mom of 6

needs: natural materials, manual, safe

"Cooking with kids is more rewarding, but I want a product they can use unmonitored."

insights

The solution needs to playfully engage kids while educating within a safe & manual setting.

sketch exploration

prototype analysis

styling

simple geometry, personality, sense of place

sketch refinement

final concept

The final design incorporates product, packaging, & graphic application in way that cultivates a sense of place & nostalgia.

Slide open the box to reveal a lineup of spice bottle characters ready to play.

Twist the funnel on top of the spherical grinding body & the bottle on the bottom.

Fill the funnel with desired spices & turn the crank to grind, or simply mix.

Unscrew the bottle when finished & replace the head cap.

how it works

To create a spice blend simply select a bottle & flip to the corresponding recipe in the provided booklet. Once grinder is assembled, follow the color-coded fill lines to layer spices & herbs in the funnel. Pop the lid onto the funnel & grind the blend into the bottle below.