What it does
Grow Your Own Toy is a STEM-based, biodegradable toy where kids grow, build, and compost mycelium blocks. It teaches sustainability, material life cycles, and creativity solo or in group projects following a circular system:Grow→ Play → Decompose → Grow Again
Your inspiration
Inspired by the experience of modern nomadic life especially for children who move frequently whether by choice or circumstance, From my own journey of relocating across countries starting in Iran, then moving to New York to study at Pratt, later to London at RCA/IMP-and finally to Rwanda to work with local weavers, I wanted to design a toy that could be regrown and reimagined anywhere. A toy that doesn’t get left behind, but instead becomes a comforting, creative ritual for the child. It serves as a reminder that even after change, something new also familiar can always grow, with your own will and by your own hands, no matter where you are.
How it works
Each kit includes a biodegradable mold, hemp and mycelium substrate, cork connectors, translucent packaging that doubles as a grow chamber, and a few ready-to-use blocks. To start, add water and flour to activate the mycelium, then pack it into the mold, After two days, the piece is unmolded and left to grow for a few more days—around six days total. Once matured, it’s dried in a conventional oven at 100°F to halt growth and solidify the form. The result is a lightweight, durable, compostable block. Using the Einstein hat pattern, pieces interlock like puzzles, while cork connectors allow modular flexibility. Children can observe the growth process, explore how living materials behave, and collaborate in group projects to build larger structures. As they grow, the toy grows with them transforming from playful structures into functional elements like room dividers or acoustic wall tiles.
Design process
The design evolved through in-depth material research and hands-on experimentation with living systems. I began by testing different mycelium strains to understand their strength, growth behavior, and flexibility. To shape the blocks, I explored geometric systems—starting with auxetic and parametric patterns, and eventually selecting the Einstein hat pattern, a newly discovered monotile that creates an aperiodic tiling—covering a surface completely without repeating, using only one shape. This structure supports creative, non-linear, and modular play. I prototyped molds using CNC milling, vacuum forming, and 3D printing with sustainable PLA and PET. Cork connectors were developed for their biodegradable, safe, and flexible properties. User testing with children, parents, and educators helped refine the mold design, growth timeline, and drying process. The translucent packaging was added to act as a mini grow chamber, offering an immersive educational experience. This iterative process centered on circularity, sensory engagement, and emotional adaptability as children grow and interact with the toy.
How it is different
Unlike most plastic-based toys, Grow Your Own Toy is entirely biodegradable, regenerative, and rooted in environmental education. It shifts the user’s role from passive consumer to active maker. Instead of being mass-produced and thrown away, each toy is grown by the child, used creatively, and returned to the earth. The system is scalable and cost-effective, making it accessible for schools and families. The Einstein hat pattern introduces mathematical curiosity and puzzle-like play, while the cork connectors allow endless combinations. The packaging functions as a mini greenhouse, integrating observation and science into the experience. The project not only addresses the problem of toy waste but also fosters emotional resilience—if a toy breaks or a child moves, it can simply be grown again. This regenerative cycle turns play into a sustainable practice.
Future plans
As a startup project, my immediate goal is commercial launch. Before that, I will conduct further user testing, building on existing prototyping and feedback. I'll finalize product improvements, refining the mold and connector systems. A critical objective is to achieve zero-plastic use across all components. Currently, the blocks and cork connectors are fully biodegradable. The molds are made from sustainable PLA and PET. I am actively working to replace the PMMA in the translucent packaging (which functions as a growing chamber) with plastic-free alternatives, ensuring complete environmental responsibility.
Share this page on