A couple of years ago, I was building stuff from paper towel and toilet paper tubes with my two kids, then 3 and 4. We assembled a bunch of random sculptures using tape, scissors, and lots of glue, then I had a light-bulb moment, “If only there was a way to easily connect these things.”

So playtime turned into a product brainstorming session with my kids, then 2 and 4. Over the following weeks, I couldn’t stop thinking about tubes. Everywhere I looked, I saw cardboard tubes that needed to be connected. I regularly pulled them out of “recycling” bins and trash cans with a view to giving them a new life as a cool new sculpture. At first, I thought an eco-friendly set of connectors would work. But tubes are tricky: they come in different diameters and thicknesses and injection molds aren’t inexpensive.

Continued…

I explained to my father that my tube connector project was stalled – that I was toying with a cardboard disc as a solution to my initial pipe connector designs. He said matter of factly, “Oh, I could make that for you over the weekend.”

Cardboard runs in the family. My dad has been in the cardboard business his whole life – just like his father and his father before him, who has started the family paper box business. My career interests had taken me in other directions.  And yet, here I was, on the brink of getting into the cardboard business. Blood is thicker than water, but cardboard is thicker than blood it seems.

The last project we worked on together was a model car kit over twenty-five years ago. I was excited by the prospect of working on something together as adults.

So I sent him this:

And it became this:

Let’s just say it took more than a weekend.

My dad and I had tons of design, marketing, production, and packaging issues to work out. And with every little tweak, we got closer and close to a product that satisfied us both. But something else was going on as well: something that had nothing to do with cardboard, toys, or die-cut machines. A cool eco-friendly toy wasn’t the only thing that emerged from all this development, but also a closer relationship with my dad.

Without his expertise, patience, and hard work, Tubls would have never gotten past the concept stage.  If I wasn’t a dad myself, this notion never would have popped into my head.

Tubls made their public debut at my co-inventors’ classrooms this week.  The response was very positive from the kids, teachers, and parents. The website is public and the first orders have started coming in. I think these Tubls are in for a fun journey.

But, thanks to dad, I already feel like we’re in the black.  Happy Father’s Day Dad. Thanks for being a great dad and eco-construction toy co-inventor.

Tubls – An Eco-Friendly Construction Toy.

This is a “trophy” that even a hardcore vegan wouldn’t mind putting on their wall.

Cardboard Safari

I love this idea. Our all time favorite toy is a simple cardboard box. And this is a really ingenious way to make cars, trolley’s, houses on wheels with your cardboard boxes.

Of course, kids are going to want to get inside it and wheel each other around, but that’s just not going to work, is it? (via Gizmodo)

Rolobox Puts Toy Wheels On Cardboard Boxes | Gadget Lab | Wired.com.

Came across this very cool cardboard playhouse made by architecture firm Super Colossal based in Sydney.

This colossal cardboard play palace, isn’t built to last forever. You’ll want to recycle it after the first rain.

Still, what a fun piece of cardboard design.

Super Colossal.

Some kids need that extra bit of privacy when learning to go all on their own. I say, “Hey, whatever it takes.” Stickers, stars, bribery – anything to get them out of diapers. And, if it helps, I’d even consider buying my child their very own private cardboard outhouse for encouragement.

Found this, like so many other great things via minor details

MA CACABANE by Pirouette Cacahouète Creator – Made in France – Recyclable > Home.

This is a great looking variation to the cardboard house theme. But, like lots of people, I have a hard time getting my head around spending $275 for a house made of cardboard. Makes this rocketship seem like a deal. The villa does look cool, though.

Babygadget: Cardboard villa.

Recycled cardboard chair and art storage unit. So far, only available in the UK from what we can tell.

Posted via web from Chad

This set is made of biodegradable and recycled carton. You can decorate them, then use them to store the mess you just made. From the good folks at minor details. 

Posted via web from Chad

RC Nerf Tank. By travis7s  
   
While not for the beginning tinkerer, this instructable details the creation of  a badass Nerf gun mounted remote control tank. Now, if you could just add a live video feed, it might be the ultimate weapon in a Nerf war. 

Remote Remote Control. By Code128 
 
Tired of the short range on most remote control baby devices, Code128 has outlined a way to extend their range making it even easier to be a remote remote control dad. Why get up when you can just click?

The Silence of the Toys. By kelseymh  
 
The only thing more annoying than a loud electronic toy is one that doesn’t have a volume (or even a mute) switch. I’m sure that many of these devices were designed to torture parents. Thanks to kelseymh for coming up with this great hack. 

T-Shirt Folding Machine. By 246guy  
 
This one gets the simplicity award. It’s just a cardboard box with some strategic flaps. Nothing like making a game of a chore. 

How to Make Your Own Decomposable Baby Wipes. By lilybee 
 
Not only are store bought wipes expensive, but most of them are made with polyester. Easy to follow instructions for making your own wipes.

This tree toy is made of recycled cardboard. A great way to keep the plastic quotient down in your closet.

Posted via web from Chad