The Lantern is a curiosity-led toy for babies and toddlers aged 12 to 18 months, designed to replicate the joy of exploring everyday objects in a safe, developmentally rich way.
Created by Japanese toy brand 1curiosity, The Lantern was inspired by the real play behaviours of young children, particularly their fascination with tissue boxes, containers, and objects they can pull, poke, and post. Through extensive observation and development, the design evolved to include a soft, transparent body filled with sensory-rich slots, bumps, and graspable items that can be inserted, removed, shaken or chewed.
Every detail of The Lantern serves a purpose. It supports babies’ growing confidence in fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem solving. It invites trial and error through open-ended play, helping children build independence as they discover how their actions affect the world around them.
What sets The Lantern apart is its simplicity and thoughtfulness. It captures the tactile magic of everyday discovery while meeting rigorous safety standards and using soft, baby-safe materials. There are no flashing lights or gimmicks, just beautifully considered design that encourages natural exploration and engagement.
The Lantern deserves to win for the way it reflects how babies naturally play, offering a refreshing alternative to over-designed toys and encouraging real discovery during a child’s earliest stages of development.
1curiosity.com
