'Shadow Friend' Protects Children! A New Sun and Rain Umbrella for Kids Fosters Parasol Habits Through Play
All Stadium Co., Ltd., in collaboration with the design firm torinoko, has developed a children's umbrella that projects a 'shadow friend' on the ground when used. As a countermeasure against extreme summer heat, it aims to foster a habit where children voluntarily walk in the shade through play. Pre-sales will begin on Makuake on May 19, 2026.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 03:16
- 🔍 Collected: May 18, 2026 at 19:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 18, 2026 at 19:08 (6 min after Collected)
'When a shadow becomes a friend, children want to use an umbrella.'
In the extreme heat of summer, what protects children is 'fun shade.'
All Stadium Co., Ltd. (Tokyo), in collaboration with the design firm 'torinoko', has developed a sun and rain umbrella for kids called 'The Umbrella Children Want to Use Themselves', which children will voluntarily want to use.
This product features a playful design incorporating a mechanism where a cute 'shadow friend' appears on the ground when the umbrella is opened on a sunny day, naturally making children want to walk in the shade.
By chasing the shadow and naturally walking in the shade while playing, children cultivate the habit of protecting themselves from the heat and strong sunlight.
Starting May 19, 2026, pre-sales will begin on the crowdfunding service 'Makuake'.
URL: https://www.makuake.com/project/kodomohigasa/
'Protecting children 365 days a year, rain or shine'
Prioritizing 'fun' over 'logic'. Breaking down the barriers to children's parasol usage
In recent years, as life-threatening extreme heat continues, preventing heatstroke in children has become an urgent task. Shorter children are more susceptible to the effects of heat reflecting off the ground, exposing them to even higher temperature environments than adults experience.
Especially when commuting to and from school, children often walk alone for long periods in strong sunlight, becoming a major source of anxiety for parents.
However, we have heard many voices from parents saying, 'Even if I tell them to use it because it's hot, they close it right away,' 'Even if I recommend a parasol, they are too absorbed in playing to use it,' or 'They hate it becoming a burden.'
Therefore, we thought:
What is needed is not to force children to take countermeasures with 'logic,' but a 'mechanism that makes them want to do it themselves.'
Focusing on 'shadow play' loved by children
Children love stepping on and chasing shadows stretching across the road.
If a 'fun shadow' is created by using a parasol.
Wouldn't they want to use the umbrella themselves, even without being told?
'Shadow Friend' was born from this idea.
When the umbrella is opened on a sunny day, a 'shadow friend with eyes' appears on the ground.
Children naturally walk in the shade as if chasing that shadow.
Not 'making them use it,' but 'making them want to use it.'
It is a new form of heat measure that combines play and behavioral design.
Shadow Friend
Supporting children's independence through 'Play x Mechanism'
This product is not just a character design.
It aims to naturally foster the 'habit of using a parasol by oneself' during early childhood to early elementary school years.
We believed a mechanism was needed where they 'want to do it themselves' rather than 'doing it because they were told.'
From 'making them use it' to 'making them want to use it': When the umbrella is opened, a 'friend' appears and follows along when they walk. This experience turns the commute to school into a fun adventure, ultimately supporting the establishment of a 'parasol habit' of staying in the shade.
The power of behavioral design: It is not based on the reasoning 'because heatstroke is dangerous,' but a new form of heat measure that directly connects a child's intuitive 'play' to the action of blocking sunlight.
'Supporting children's independence through Play x Mechanism'
Product Features
■ Design where a shadow friend appears
Due to the design on the umbrella's surface, a 'shadow friend' with eyes is projected onto the ground when the umbrella is used on a sunny day.
■ Usable in both sun and rain
Designed for use 365 days a year, intended for everyday use during school commutes, lessons, and outings.
■ High UV and heat shielding performance
Under the umbrella feels as cool as the shade of a tree.
UV cut rate 99.9%
UPF50+
Shading rate 99.9%
Has heat shielding effect
■ Lightweight design easy for children to handle
A lightweight design of about 250g that is easy to handle even for early elementary school students.
It features a design that does not block the field of vision and a safety structure to prevent pinched fingers.
Rib length 50cm
Weight approx. 250g
6 ribs
Target age: Around 1st grade of elementary school
Product Overview
Product name: The Umbrella Children Want to Use Themselves
Scheduled release: May 19, 2026
Price: 2,800 yen (tax included, estimated)
Color: Green
Sales method: Pre-sale on Makuake (All or Nothing method)
URL: https://www.makuake.com/project/kodomohigasa/
Seller: All Stadium Co., Ltd.
About the Project
This project started with an encounter at the 'Design Management School' hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Companies with different backgrounds came to jointly develop this product based on a shared desire to 'create a product that protects children from risks.'
About torinoko
A design firm based in Kyoto and Tokyo.
In the extreme heat of summer, what protects children is 'fun shade.'
All Stadium Co., Ltd. (Tokyo), in collaboration with the design firm 'torinoko', has developed a sun and rain umbrella for kids called 'The Umbrella Children Want to Use Themselves', which children will voluntarily want to use.
This product features a playful design incorporating a mechanism where a cute 'shadow friend' appears on the ground when the umbrella is opened on a sunny day, naturally making children want to walk in the shade.
By chasing the shadow and naturally walking in the shade while playing, children cultivate the habit of protecting themselves from the heat and strong sunlight.
Starting May 19, 2026, pre-sales will begin on the crowdfunding service 'Makuake'.
URL: https://www.makuake.com/project/kodomohigasa/
'Protecting children 365 days a year, rain or shine'
Prioritizing 'fun' over 'logic'. Breaking down the barriers to children's parasol usage
In recent years, as life-threatening extreme heat continues, preventing heatstroke in children has become an urgent task. Shorter children are more susceptible to the effects of heat reflecting off the ground, exposing them to even higher temperature environments than adults experience.
Especially when commuting to and from school, children often walk alone for long periods in strong sunlight, becoming a major source of anxiety for parents.
However, we have heard many voices from parents saying, 'Even if I tell them to use it because it's hot, they close it right away,' 'Even if I recommend a parasol, they are too absorbed in playing to use it,' or 'They hate it becoming a burden.'
Therefore, we thought:
What is needed is not to force children to take countermeasures with 'logic,' but a 'mechanism that makes them want to do it themselves.'
Focusing on 'shadow play' loved by children
Children love stepping on and chasing shadows stretching across the road.
If a 'fun shadow' is created by using a parasol.
Wouldn't they want to use the umbrella themselves, even without being told?
'Shadow Friend' was born from this idea.
When the umbrella is opened on a sunny day, a 'shadow friend with eyes' appears on the ground.
Children naturally walk in the shade as if chasing that shadow.
Not 'making them use it,' but 'making them want to use it.'
It is a new form of heat measure that combines play and behavioral design.
Shadow Friend
Supporting children's independence through 'Play x Mechanism'
This product is not just a character design.
It aims to naturally foster the 'habit of using a parasol by oneself' during early childhood to early elementary school years.
We believed a mechanism was needed where they 'want to do it themselves' rather than 'doing it because they were told.'
From 'making them use it' to 'making them want to use it': When the umbrella is opened, a 'friend' appears and follows along when they walk. This experience turns the commute to school into a fun adventure, ultimately supporting the establishment of a 'parasol habit' of staying in the shade.
The power of behavioral design: It is not based on the reasoning 'because heatstroke is dangerous,' but a new form of heat measure that directly connects a child's intuitive 'play' to the action of blocking sunlight.
'Supporting children's independence through Play x Mechanism'
Product Features
■ Design where a shadow friend appears
Due to the design on the umbrella's surface, a 'shadow friend' with eyes is projected onto the ground when the umbrella is used on a sunny day.
■ Usable in both sun and rain
Designed for use 365 days a year, intended for everyday use during school commutes, lessons, and outings.
■ High UV and heat shielding performance
Under the umbrella feels as cool as the shade of a tree.
UV cut rate 99.9%
UPF50+
Shading rate 99.9%
Has heat shielding effect
■ Lightweight design easy for children to handle
A lightweight design of about 250g that is easy to handle even for early elementary school students.
It features a design that does not block the field of vision and a safety structure to prevent pinched fingers.
Rib length 50cm
Weight approx. 250g
6 ribs
Target age: Around 1st grade of elementary school
Product Overview
Product name: The Umbrella Children Want to Use Themselves
Scheduled release: May 19, 2026
Price: 2,800 yen (tax included, estimated)
Color: Green
Sales method: Pre-sale on Makuake (All or Nothing method)
URL: https://www.makuake.com/project/kodomohigasa/
Seller: All Stadium Co., Ltd.
About the Project
This project started with an encounter at the 'Design Management School' hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Companies with different backgrounds came to jointly develop this product based on a shared desire to 'create a product that protects children from risks.'
About torinoko
A design firm based in Kyoto and Tokyo.
FAQ
When will the 'Shadow Friend' umbrella be released?
Pre-sales will begin on May 19, 2026, via the crowdfunding service 'Makuake'.
Can this umbrella be used on rainy days?
Yes, it is designed for both sun and rain, making it usable 365 days a year.
What is the target age group?
With a lightweight design of about 250g, it is targeted at children around the first grade of elementary school.