Bronze Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design · 2025
Crabee Kid's Swimming Learning Aids
by Chih-Yun Li
- A' Design Award 2025 Bronze Winner in Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: Li Chih-Yun
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 41,797
- Verification code 8193881C87 · Verify this award
About Crabee Kid's Swimming Learning Aids
Crabee is a learning flotation device for children aged 3 to 9. Crabee is intended to reduce fear of water through interactive play. The modular shell is made of water-resistant foam and includes five rings of different diameters, so the conical body can be adjusted to the size of each child. Children can throw, catch and place the rings on the body. Two periscopes allow a view of the underwater world from the surface. Floating balls add a treasure hunt game. Children of different swimming abilities can play together.
Crabee Kid's Swimming Learning Aids represents a thoughtful contribution to the domain of aquatic learning accessories designed specifically for early childhood swimming education, where the introduction of water confidence remains a foundational developmental milestone requiring carefully calibrated support systems that balance safety, comfort, and graduated independence. The design demonstrates sophisticated understanding of pediatric ergonomics and the psychological dimensions of aquatic skill acquisition, employing a modular stacking system of four distinct inflatable components that appear calibrated to different developmental stages and body sizes, allowing caregivers to customize buoyancy support according to individual needs and progressing capabilities. The chromatic strategy deploys gentle pastel hues across the lavender, pink, green, and cream spectrum, color choices that traditionally signify approachability, gentleness, and non-threatening engagement within childhood product contexts while avoiding gendered color stereotyping through balanced distribution across warm and cool temperatures. The formal language of the accessories evokes marine life morphology through subtle biomorphic references—the radiating appendages suggesting crab legs, the nodular surface treatments recalling aquatic textures, the organic contours echoing underwater creatures—creating visual narratives that may help children construct imaginative frameworks around water interaction, transforming potentially anxious experiences into playful marine adventures. The material execution appears to prioritize soft tactile qualities with matte surfaces that invite confident handling while the varied surface treatments across ribbing, nodules, and smooth zones offer multisensory engagement supporting haptic exploration and grip security. The compositional presentation within an actual pool environment rather than isolated product photography establishes authentic use context and emotional validation, as the central child's upward gesture and visible delight provide testimonial evidence of successful design outcomes in fostering aquatic confidence and joyful learning experiences. The background tile pattern's geometric regularity provides environmental grounding while the generous natural illumination suggests transparent, supervised, safe learning spaces where childhood development unfolds under attentive care. What might this thoughtful integration of ergonomic support, developmental sensitivity, biomorphic inspiration, and chromatic gentleness suggest about evolving approaches to designing learning aids that honor both safety imperatives and the preservation of childhood wonder during foundational skill acquisition?
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Crabee is a learning flotation device designed for children aged 3 to 9, to reduce their fear of water through interactive play. Its modular shell design lets children switch between different play modes, enhancing their water adaptability while having fun.
Additionally, accessories such as periscopes and floating balls are included, allowing children of various swimming abilities to engage together. This helps prepare them for future swimming lessons and reduces the risk of drowning. - Dimensions & Packaging
- 1. All five rings are assembled: the dimensions are 44 cm in height, 38 cm in length, and 36 cm in width. With three rings assembled, the height is 34 cm.
2. The diameters of the five rings: from largest to smallest, are 36 cm, 33 cm, 30 cm, 26 cm, and 21 cm.
3. The product uses eva foam, mirrors, and polycarbonate. - Tags
- Flotation device, Children, Learning
- Production Technology
- 1. The main body and five rings are made from eva foam, offering water resistance, high chemical stability, and durability, produced using foam molding technology, followed by cooling and cutting processes.
2. Periscope housing constructed from pp plastic using injection molding technology, cooled, polished, and surface-treated.
3. Periscope lenses are made from pc plastic using injection molding technology. After cooling, the lenses are polished and coated to achieve optimal optical clarity and durability. - Design Challenge
- This project initially used pvc and pp to manufacture the products to reduce storage space. However, these materials are prone to rupture, posing safety risks, and users are unwilling to inflate the products before each use. Additionally, discussions with manufacturers revealed that pvc and pp face challenges in buoyancy calculations and cannot produce intricate designs. After careful consideration, we decided to switch to eva materials to extend the product's lifespan and simplify production.
- Project Duration
- The project began in June 2023 and completed the samples in February 2024. Expert testing is scheduled for August with plans to launch in mid-2025.
- Operation Flow
- First the crabee’s body (a conical tube) can be adjusted according to the child's body size, allowing for the assembly of different sizes that can be held and floated on the water. Second, children can throw, catch, and place multiple rings onto the crabee, helping it find its shell. Third, children who are not yet able to hold their breath can use crabee's eyes (periscopes) to explore the underwater world while staying at the water's surface. Finally, children can use floating and sinking gems (floating balls) to play a treasure hunt game.
- Research
- We collect secondary data to analyze the shortcomings of swimming aids available in the market and employ qualitative research methods to interview parents. This helps us understand their educational approaches and the timing and circumstances under which children learn to become comfortable with water. Ultimately, we integrate child development benchmarks to provide tailored play recommendations for users of different ages, incorporating short stories to enhance children's learning motivation.
- Inspiration
- According to the world health organization , approximately 370,000 people die from drowning each year globally, with 60% of these deaths occurring in children under the age of 18. Drowning is also a leading cause of accidental death in children aged 1 to 4. We interviewed a primary school swimming instructor, who indicated that individuals who fear water are at a higher risk of drowning. Therefore, reducing children's fear of water through appropriate education is crucial for ensuring their safety in aquatic environments.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Creator Li Chih-Yun, 2024
Image #2: Creator Li Chih-Yun, 2024
Image #3: Creator Li Chih-Yun, 2024
Image #4: Creator Li Chih-Yun, 2024
Image #5: Creator Li Chih-Yun, 2024