The Rigamajig is a new large-scale building kit conceived for hands-on free play and learning. This unique toy was conceived and designed as a custom play feature for the High Line Park in New York City, by independent toy designer Cas Holman of Heroes Will Rise, and Friends of the High Line, in collaboration with early learning educators, woodworkers, and children.
Rigamajig was launched in 2011 as the High Line Children’s Workyard Kit, and will be distributed by KaBoom, a national non-profit that has partnered with Heroes Will Rise to provide easily accessible, cognitively challenging play opportunities that include science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) to all children in diverse communities.
This collection of wooden planks, wheels, pulleys, nuts, bolts and rope allows children to follow their curiosity through play. There are no right or wrong answers. Children create contraptions to convey buckets, three legged spaceships, elephant movie projectors hiding under robot monsters, and all-purpose “Rigamajigs”. The act of playing and building is the goal, not the finished product.
The New School is the first school in the area to have access to this unique learning material. Mary Cunningham created a slide presentation about the New School’s experience with the Rigamajig.