Cubcho Lab: Tools for Shaping Play

Turn. Shape. Play.

Cubcho is built on the philosophy that less is more. What began as one mechanical press for transforming old paper has grown into a family of hands-on tools, offering different shapes, scales and ways of making. Children can experiment with paper, water, colours, spices, seeds, natural fibres and new material recipes, discovering how small changes create completely different results. Each tool offers a different experience, while the principle remains the same: children take charge of the process, make their own choices, master the mechanics and find their own rhythm through making.

Learning never ends

When children work with their hands and have fun, learning happens naturally. Designed for curious minds aged 3–12, Cubcho gives just enough structure to get started, while leaving plenty of room for imagination. With every new block, children discover something different — how materials behave, how colours mix, how much pressure is needed, or how a small change can alter the result. The more blocks they make, the more possibilities appear: building a favourite character, inventing structures, creating patterns, exploring math, storytelling, or simply following their own ideas. To support parents and educators, Cubcho comes with an illustrated manual and a Classroom Guide with recipes, games, experiments and lesson ideas.

Cubcho lab

Since the first Cubcho, the project has grown into a family of tools that explore different scales, materials and ways of making. A large-scale version requires two people to operate it, turning the pressing process into a shared physical experience, while a lightweight aluminium version explores self-assembly and portability. Another experiment asks a very different question: what if the tool itself is temporary? A version 3D-printed in biobased, biodegradable PHA investigates this possibility, while the original stainless-steel and wooden Cubcho remains designed to last for generations. Together, the different versions explore how scale, mechanics and materials — wood, steel, aluminium and PHA — change the way the tool feels and how people interact with it. New shapes, textures and material recipes continue to expand the possibilities. At Dutch Design Week, visitors can explore the growing Cubcho family, experiment with materials and press their own block to take home.