Toysit — original hand-drawn toys and lettering

From the Toysit archive

Zubber Starter Kit: plan a cast of colorful little characters

Meet the colorful Zubber Starter Kit and sketch a cast of little characters, each with a shape, a name and a part in an adventure.

Historical toy profileContext reviewed
Blue and orange Zubber Starter Kit package showing colored balls, bands, small figures and a round timer.
Original Zubber image from Toysit’s earlier coverage.

The play at a glance

A package full of little possibilities

The Zubber Starter Kit puts a bright assortment of possibilities on its front: striped bands, colored balls, a flower and small animal figures. The rounded blue-and-orange package makes the molding idea visible before the box is opened. Imagine choosing one of those little shapes, giving it a name and deciding where its adventure begins.

From a shape to a character

The package groups its examples into bands, figures and balls, with a timer pictured alongside them. The earlier Toysit description lists colored compound, an activator, molds and measuring tools. Its central idea is a change from material that can be shaped to a rubberlike creation that keeps the chosen form.

A small figure can suggest a personality through its outline alone. A long-tailed lizard might become a lookout; a flower could be the keeper of a garden gate. A round character might be the messenger who always arrives with surprising news. These roles come from the storyteller, and the same shape can play a new part tomorrow.

Try character casting cards

Start a little casting office with three cards and drawing supplies. The task is to find a team for an imaginary adventure.

  1. Give each character a clear outline. Sketch a long shape, a round shape and a shape with several points or petals. Keep the drawings simple enough to recognize across the table.
  2. Add a name and a job. Perhaps Luma the lizard watches the path, Pip the round messenger carries news, and Marigold opens the gate. Use your own names if a different cast comes to mind.
  3. Choose one memorable color detail. A yellow tail tip, a red stripe or a blue center can help a player identify the character again.
  4. Arrange the cast for a scene. Place one card at the beginning of a paper path, another at a meeting place and the third at the destination. Tell what each character contributes to the journey.

Try swapping two jobs. Does the messenger now guard the gate? Does the flower have news to deliver? A changed role can supply an entirely new ending while the drawings stay the same.

Make a small world for the cast

Fold the cards to stand, or lay them beside a map with a bridge, a clearing and a house. Add a cast list to the map so a visitor can join the story. If you have a complete, identified Zubber kit and its original directions, use only its documented preparation and molding method with adult guidance. The cards are a finished play activity on their own; they can travel from story to story in a small envelope.

The historical record

Original Toysit coverage

The original product account and commentary are preserved below as historical coverage.

Zubber Starter Set

The Amazing Zubber is a new molding compound that molds like dough and hardens like rubber. Mix two compounds together to make Zubber. Create a world of fun with Zubber molds and kits. With the starter kid, you can make your own bouncing balls, flowers, horses, lizards, and even a fun splat symbol. Kit includes Zubber activator, yellow Zubber, red Zubber, blue Zubber, timer, flat mold, extruder, ball mold, mixing plate, and measuring spoons.

Zubber: The Artistic Molding Compound

Zubber is an innovative and fun artistic molding compound that has captured the imagination of children and craft enthusiasts alike. It combines the best of two worlds: the moldability of dough and the durability of rubber. Here's what makes Zubber so enjoyable:

  • Moldability: Zubber can be easily shaped and molded like dough, allowing for endless creativity and design possibilities. Whether it's creating jewelry, figurines, or custom toys, the flexibility of Zubber provides a hands-on artistic experience.
  • Durability: Once molded into the desired shape, Zubber hardens like rubber, creating a long-lasting and resilient final product. This transformation adds a unique dimension to the crafting process and results in creations that can be enjoyed for a long time.
  • Accessibility: Zubber is suitable for various age groups and skill levels, making it a versatile crafting material. Its non-toxic composition ensures that it's safe for children to use under adult supervision.
  • Color Variety: Available in a wide range of vibrant colors, Zubber allows for colorful and visually appealing creations. Artists can mix different shades to achieve the perfect hue for their projects.
  • Educational Value: Beyond the fun, Zubber offers educational benefits by enhancing fine motor skills, encouraging creativity, and promoting problem-solving as children figure out how to bring their ideas to life.
  • Therapeutic Qualities: The tactile nature of molding Zubber can be calming and therapeutic, providing a sensory experience that many find relaxing and enjoyable.

Whether used in a classroom, at home, or in therapeutic settings, Zubber provides a unique and engaging way to explore creativity. Its dough-like texture and rubber-like durability offer a novel and satisfying crafting experience that inspires imagination and artistic expression.

Sources and editorial notes

The package photograph and complete original account are preserved, including the August 12, 2023 update. Canadian trademark journal page 447 associates ZUBBER with Blip and a toy modeling compound; it is not a kit recipe or product test. The exact Starter Kit instructions were not recovered. No mixing ratio, setting time, substitute activator or measured material benefit is supplied. The activity is original Toysit editorial work.

Images and descriptions are retained as historical material. How Toysit covers toys.

Created for Toysit by Tabbloza — the artwork in our header.