Nearly 1 in 5 school age children in the U.S. has obesity. Studies have shown that children who develop healthy eating habits are more likely to make healthy food choices as adults. Healthy eating is also closely connected to a child’s overall well being, self esteem, and development. How might we encourage children to eat healthy food and ensure they meet developmental milestones?

Research for the Little Peanuts Cooking Kit included reading medical studies, conducting a competitive analysis, and establishing a target market and target audience, including demographics, psychographics and geographics. Further research was conducted on children's learning milestones, early childhood education, and the importance of healthy eating and nutrition. Toy industry trends were also considered during the design process.

Little Peanuts' target audience is millennial parents who want their kids to eat nutritious, home-cooked meals. They buy food that is minimally processed, low in sugar, and organic. They often eat together as a family, involve their children in the cooking process, and expose them to food from different cultures. They are involved in their child's education and read to them often. They value authenticity, transparency, and unique experiences.

Inspiration for the Little Peanuts Cooking Kit was found in the minimal design of Scandinavian toys, geometric patterns, and the idea of hygge, a Danish term associated with coziness, charm, and special moments. The design process included research, competitive analysis, mind mapping, identifying tone words, creating moodboards, and analog and digital sketching. Multiple iterations were explored and refined before deciding on a final product.

Little Peanuts believes in creating high quality, sustainable toys that fit seamlessly into your home and are passed down to future generations. The company's identity is a reflection of this belief. It is modern, playful, and timeless with a witty and approachable personality. Like their toys, the logomark strikes a balance between the handmade and the mechanical by pairing free-flowing lines with detailed typography (Filson Soft Bold & Cambria), creating a charming mark. For more information, view the brand guidelines.

Little Peanuts believes healthy eating begins with play. We designed a children’s cooking kit that encourages pretend play, skill development, and curiousity around food. The kit includes a set of handmade wooden vegetable and utensil blocks, stainless steel pot and pan, apron, tool rool, and block storage bag. An activity book is included to help parents facilitate lessons on counting, vocabulary, following directions, and more. A portion of every purchase supports early childhood nutrition education programs.

Packaging for the Little Peanuts Cooking Kit is a seamless extension of the brand and was designed to create additional opportunities for imaginative play and learning, or "play with a purpose." The sliding lid box converts to a stove for immersive pretend and imitative play, the vegetable blocks fit together like a puzzle, and the various shapes and colors of the hangtags, printed on French Paper Company's Pop-tone line, create a teaching opportunity for parents. The kit packs up quickly and easily for stress-free clean up.