# Lego-Like Dishware Placematix Wants Kids to Eat, Play and Learn By Michael Plishka | Published 2010-03-16 | Life-Stages Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/placematix References: [eurekaconcepts](http://www.eurekaconcepts.com) As children, we were often told not to play with our food. The developers of Placematix take issue with that tradition as their motto is 'Eat, Play, Learn!' and their goal is to get children to use their creativity during mealtime. Based on similar technology to [Legos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego2) (which it is compatible with), this patented toy enables young diners to create their own placemats, complete with [interlocking dishes and utensils](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/guaranteed-to-be-eaten-by-kids). The Placematix dishes are made of Food Grade ABS and are therefore dishwasher- and toddler-gnawing-safe. I can think of multiple children (and perhaps even their parents) who would really like this. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 23% | Activity: 57% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages) > [Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/toys) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Customizable Dishware:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop a platform that allows individuals to design and customize their own dishware, bringing personalization to mealtime. - **Interactive Eating Experience:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create technology or products that enhance the eating experience by incorporating interactive elements, such as games or educational content. - **Child-centric Mealtime Products:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design and manufacture dining products specifically tailored to the needs and preferences of children, making mealtime more engaging and enjoyable. ### Where This Applies - **Toy Manufacturing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore ways to integrate educational and creative elements into toys, enabling children to learn and have fun simultaneously. - **Home and Kitchenware:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop innovative and child-friendly dishes, utensils, and placemats that promote imagination, creativity, and learning during mealtime. - **Education and Learning Technology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Build technology solutions that combine food-related activities with educational content to foster learning while children eat. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Coordinated Children-Focused Tableware](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tableware-bundle-for-children.md) - [Table Manners-Teaching Tableware](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/baby-tableware.md) - [Playful Restaurant Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/restaurant-of-imagination.md) - [Kid-Friendly Biobased Tableware](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biobased-tableware.md) - [Kids Cookware Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/material.md) - [Sustainable Sensorial Play Pads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stokke-playpad.md) - [Life-Sized Toy Construction Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/funphix.md) - [Kid-Friendly Kitchen Stations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/studio-eggi.md) - [Food-Based Toy Block Alternatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-6.md)