Our Play Lab builds upon a foundation of 30+ years in toy invention. We have brought over 250 youth-oriented products to market in partnership with beloved brands like Hasbro, Mattel and Sesame Workshop — including the classic Aerobie football, the Fisher-Price Jumperoo, and numerous digital and physical toys that have enabled kids to role play with their favorite characters.
Playhouse MD brings comfort, connection, and a little joy to pediatric care.
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Sesame Street iPhone apps for Sesame Workshop.
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Designing a new virtual reality case for an iconic toy.
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Helping Google design a set of blocks that can be arranged to code almost anything.
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Aboard the Verizon Explorer Lab, students can travel to Mars and learn engineering basics along the way.
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From pizza shooters to board games, there's something for every kid — and kid-at-heart.
A joyful embodiment of the importance of designing for friction, and creating moments for people to slow down and enjoy the moment.
Michelle Lee at Config: the pitfalls of designing seamless experiences and what we can learn from play about adding friction.
Alicia Quan and Sarah Mondestin hang out with Michelle Lee, Partner and Managing Director of IDEO's Play Lab.
And more lessons on how the brickmaker approaches digital thriving.
Turn them into a game customers love playing.
Lessons from young people on AI's thin line between productivity and interference.
Google's Director of Mental Health shares insights into its core principles.
From our series on Play x Work: setting teams up to feel seen.
Michelle leads IDEO San Francisco, including the Play Lab — a team that brings expertise in youth and play to developing products, services, and experiences that are both meaningful and joyful, co-creating with young people to center their voices.
Almost two decades shaping the future of toys and games. Has designed digital apps for Sesame Street, strategized how play can transform companies like Weight Watchers, and invented products for Hasbro and Mattel.
15+ years in strategy, startups, and innovation, with a proven track record in helping organizations take ideas from zero to one. Leads with the belief that play is a powerful driver of engagement, creativity, and growth.
Filters the world through the lenses of play and storytelling. Helps clients make meaningful choices, create engaging experiences, and unlock creative potential.
Supports partners at the IDEO Play Lab to enable experiences that spark joy, growth, and connection through purposeful play. Previously developed products for the education sector in the Bay Area and Beijing.
Whether you're designing the future of your organization, service, or product — we'd love to chat. Bring along the details, anecdotes, or playful sparks that brought you here today.
