Rigamajig®

A large-scale building kit used for hands-on free play and playful STE(A)M learning

This collection of wooden planks, wheels, pulleys, nuts, bolts and rope allows children to follow their curiosity through play. Engaging the inquisitive mind and creative spirit, Rigamajig® empowers children to think in three dimensions, building things larger than themselves. Rigamajig® Basic Builder is ideal for classrooms, children's museums and groups of children learning and playing collaboratively. The solid wood 3/4" thick planks range from 12"-44", allowing children to build things larger than themselves.

Children often say "this isn't a toy, this is real!" as they familiarize themselves with the scale and weight of working with wood. All the while they are cooperating and communicating to problem solve, pretend and play.

New research linking Rigamajig®
with kids' STEM learning

The CarMax Foundation, KABOOM! and Purdue University have released an independent research study describing the engineering-related, physical and social play behaviors kids display when playing with Rigamajig®.

Read the results of this exciting, new research

Benefits of Rigamajig®

Promotes playful, cooperative learning

Rigamajig promotes playful, cooperative learning

Rigamajig® creates playful, cooperative learning communities, through means of collaborative building and child-directed play. The kit enables easily accessible, cognitively challenging play opportunities for children of any age in any environment.

Enhances STEM and STEAM learning

Rigamajig enhances STEM and STEAM learning

Rigamajig® fits with principles of STEM and STEAM education, which promote focus on science, technology, engineering, math, and art through hands-on, inquiry-based learning to provide children opportunities for creativity, innovation, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Develops problem-solving skills

Rigamajig develops problem-solving skills

Children simultaneously practice problem solving while designing and playing with their technological inventions. They create and work with simple machines (e.g. pulleys, ramps, and screws) as a means to create new, more complex machines.

Encourages cognitive thinking and investigations

Rigamajig encourages cognitive thinking and investigations

Play, fantasy, and imagination are all part of children's everyday cognitive thinking and investigations. It is when these are all manifested in a single activity that children invest and fully engage in problem solving and amazing feats of creativity.


How to Clean Rigamajig® Products

Any of the following cleaners are safe to wipe the boards clean:

  • Lysol All-Purpose Cleaner Spray
  • Lysol Brand II Disinfecting Wipes
  • Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
  • Soap and water

KABOOM! also recommends that washers, nuts, and bolts are placed into a dishwasher or laundry washer. Enclose those components in a mesh bag to avoid damaging your appliance while it is spinning.


Our Story

Conceived and designed as a custom play feature for the High Line Park in New York City, Rigamajig® was developed by Cas Holman for Friends of the High Line in collaboration with early learning educators, woodworkers, and children. It was launched in 2011 as the High Line Children's Workyard Kit and reflects the High Line's industrial history, simple and honest materiality, and the organization's dedication to creating meaningful play opportunities for children and families.

Since its debut, Rigamajig® has found its way into numerous schools, playgrounds, children's museums, and backyards. The award-winning design is evolving and expanding as we learn from our pilot schools and playful friends.

Cas Holman continues to design and advocate for play, imaginative making, and art education. Her ongoing relationships with visionary schools, teachers, and children's museums give her opportunities to observe and learn from experts in childhood and play. She is a Professor of Industrial Design at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and is constantly discovering connections between design education, early childhood, and play.

Heroes Will Rise

Heroes Will Rise was founded by Cas Holman in 2006 to support well designed, imagination-centric toys. In an effort to maintain a high standard of quality and design, (and because few things are more fun than a factory tour) the company manages the manufacturing of all of its products.

Good toys make good people ®