image: Children play with wooden blocks donated by students from Okayama University of Science. The toys were provided through a crowdfunding initiative aimed at sharing the warmth of wood and bringing smiles to children.
Credit: Okayama University of Science
Aiming to bring smiles to children and help them experience the warmth of wood through play, students from the Faculty of Management at Okayama University of Science (OUS) raised funds through crowdfunding to purchase wooden toys, which they donated on March 18 to five children’s centers in Okayama City operated by the Okayama City Fureai Public Corporation.
The toys were commissioned from Asunaro Workshop, a toy maker based in Soja City, Okayama Prefecture, known for producing wooden toys using locally sourced timber. The students designed original dinosaur-themed building blocks, along with sets of chestnut wood blocks. Each of the five centers received two sets of each toy.
The dinosaur blocks are designed as a stacking game in which players build upward using dinosaur-shaped pieces; the player whose structure collapses loses, adding an element of fun and challenge.
A presentation ceremony was held at the Okayama Fureai Center in Naka Ward, where directors from the five children’s centers attended and received the toys directly from the students. Children quickly began playing with the donated toys, and the room was filled with excited cheers.
“We sincerely appreciate the donation of these toys,” said Yumiko Tanabe of the Okayama Fureai Children’s Centers. “Along with the warmth of the wooden blocks, we have also received the kindness and thoughtfulness of the students. We are deeply moved by their desire to contribute to the growth of children in the community. We will make good use of these toys in daily activities and help bring smiles to the children.”
The students expressed their gratitude as well: “We are very happy that, thanks to everyone’s support, we were able to successfully donate these toys. We will carry forward our appreciation and apply this experience to our future activities.”
The crowdfunding campaign exceeded its goal of 200,000 yen, raising approximately 320,000 yen in total.