DS Smith and Fantasy Forts spark imagination with new concept in sustainable creativity

DS Smith and Fantasy Forts are collaborating to bring sustainable, imaginative, and open ended play to life.

Fantasy Forts set out with a mission to spark children’s inspiration with innovative DIY construction kits for building houses and fortresses. The toys are intended to engage children in imaginative play and to encourage them to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills and develop confidence around the building of personalised creative spaces.

The DS Smith team refined the design and composition of the Fantasy Forts play kits, including the folding structures, die cutting methodologies, and accessory integration using 100% recyclable corrugated cardboard materials that are both robust and easy to produce at scale. 

DS Smith also minimised the volume of materials required to make the products and eliminated corrugated plastic elements in the structure. In addition, the latest design incorporates a clever and versatile click system design that enables the play sets to be integrated into furniture and suitable for both indoor and outdoor play scenarios.

Marco van den Berg, founder, Fantasy Forts, said: ‘The concept seemed simple, but the technical execution required a lot of thought. We were looking for a partner who could translate our creative vision into a product that was sustainable, easy to manufacturable, and scalable. From day one our new packaging was extremely well received by our consumers who are mostly parents, and the feedback has been superb. Our play kits are sparking unlimited creative potential and providing children with hours of creativity and screen free play. The panels can also be made compact for storage and folded away neatly when not in use.’

The Fantasy Forts toy kits are manufactured and produced locally in the Netherlands and packed in a social workplace represented by Social Work Netherlands (ESN). The company is proactive in spearheading opportunities for the local community and in creating ‘social impact’ to help to drive and develop its customer base and international expansion. 

The collaboration between DS Smith and Fantasy Forts was initially inspired via a PackRight Centre, a dedicated venue and part of a network of wider facilities where companies and brands are encouraged to meet with the manufcaturer’s experts to explore, define, and agree on specific optimisation areas and develop packaging solutions in line with bespoke requirements and priorities.

Remko Berkhout, marketing and communications manager, DS Smith Benelux, said: ‘We are excited to collaborate with Fantasy Forts on this innovative cardboard solution and to support this valued customer in its strategic vision to create a sustainable and versatile product. Due to the technical expertise of our designers, the corrugated cardboard elements of the play kits are not only inventive in their design, but remarkably durable and this is vital given the need for them to withstand so many different options for creative reinvention.’

The fun play kits can be purchased from a variety of online retailers, including the Fantasy Forts e-commerce shop that can be accessed online, and they are tailored for both indoor and outdoor use.