This is DoJigger, the final result of a team project to make a toy for children in treatment for cancer. Children in treatment for cancer usually don’t engage in physical activities as much as they should. Physical activities are obviously good for physical wellbeing, but they are also a necessity for the child to engage in, as it enables the child to develop physical competencies such as balance, coordination and fine motor skills. As of yet, children are restricted to structured exercises during hospitalization, which is not that exciting for them.

DoJigger makes music-like sounds according to the way the child plays with it: the orientation of the object influences the pitch, and the intensity of movement affects the volume of the sound produced. The varying sound invites the child to explore further and the logical way the toy responds to the way the child interacts with it provides room for learning to play the ‘instrument’. Moreover, the different versions each make their own distinct sound, inviting the child to form a ‘band’ with other children.