This graduation project investigates the development of a modular play system aimed at stimulating motor skill development in children aged 3 to 6 through open-ended and intrinsically motivating play. The project addresses concerns about reduced physical activity and increasing motor delays in early childhood. Literature study, expert interviews, and field observations confirmed that unstructured, spontaneous, and socially engaging play offers valuable conditions for motor learning in this age group.

The design process followed an iterative approach, involving multiple cycles of prototyping, user testing, and evaluation. Each iteration focused on exploring how design features influenced physical interaction, social engagement, and developmental challenge. Findings from each cycle informed adjustments in form, material, and functionality. This iterative development process formed the foundation for translating movement goals derived from the Athletic Skills Model and five core subdomains of motor skill development: balance, coordination, ball skills, fine motor control, and movement variety into concrete play experiences.

The final concept, Movemates, consists of six soft, geometric elements made of PU foam with a TPU shell. Each element affords different types of movement, such as balancing, coordination, throwing, or assembling. User tests indicated that children engaged with the elements across all targeted motor skill development domains. The design also enabled social collaboration and imaginative use, even within a limited set.

Material experiments demonstrated the technical feasibility of combining thermoforming and foam casting as a production method. This approach met requirements for safety, softness, and durability, while allowing variation in form and surface.

The project provides insight into how iterative design methods can support the translation of developmental objectives into tangible, engaging play elements for early childhood motor development.