BRIEF: Design one playground equipment that caters to children of all abilities, including those with sensory sensitivities. Promoting social inclusion, active play and emotional comfort for children with Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD).

CONCEPT:

Octo-Play is a new vision for playgrounds as a multisensory learning environment where every child can experience the joy of play. The design focuses on self-regulation, sensory stimulation, and peer interaction through a series of interconnected modules: Octo-Xylophone, Octo-Swing, Octo-Sit, Octo-Tunnel, and Fidget Buttons.

Each element caters to a particular sensory need:

• The Octo-Xylophone provides auditory and visual stimulation with rhythm and color.

• The Octo-Swing provides vestibular stimulation for helping children balance and become calm using rhythmic motion.

• The Octo-Tunnel provides proprioceptive input and a sense of security in enclosed movement.

• The Fidget Buttons encourage tactile exploration and focus, helping with self-regulation.

• The Octo-Sit provides areas to rest and bond for both children and their parents.

Together, these create an integrated play environment, where calming and stimulating experiences blend to help children master sensory integration while simultaneously building confidence and connecting socially.

OUTCOME: Octo-Play transforms playgrounds into sensory-inclusive zones, where design, empathy, and play come together. By responding to their varied sensory thresholds, it enables children to explore, learn, and connect so every child can experience the freedom and fun of play.