Play Go Round may only have held its soft opening in late 2019, but that still recent milestone concluded an impressive planning period. The partners stumbled upon the business concept at their daughter’s 3rd birthday party, when the star attraction received an astronomical number of “trendy” toys from her friends.

Baz quickly realised that the gifts were not suited to his daughter’s development needs. “During the following year, she had a room full of plastic dolls, houses and games that she wasn’t really playing with,” Baz said. These toys, like so many others around the world, were prime candidates for landfill.

To tackle the toy industry’s wastefulness, Baz and his partner did extensive research and consulted several pediatricians and child psychologists. They discovered that children are more likely to become bored with toys if they have an overly wide selection. 

Play Go Round satisfies this pedagogical need by providing a range selection of toys, which families can exchange for new boxes at the appropriate time. Of course, this business model also supports the circular economy by allowing other children to benefit from the toys after they are returned.

Baz hopes that this philosophy of sustainability will impact children’s lives long after they stop receiving boxes from Play Go Round. “Our plan is to nurture our youngest generation with healthy habits towards sustainability,” said Baz, “which gives us a good chance to apply a concept like the circular economy on a global level.”

Happily, Play Go Round has already forged early links with local parents, schools, and even social media influencers. Yet the business still needs to survive in the cut-throat toy industry, while following higher principles than its competitors. Specifically, Baz refuses to advertise directly to children which, at least for now, may put Play Go Round at a disadvantage.

Yet Baz remains undaunted by obstacles — from powerful toy manufacturers to deeply ingrained consumer trends — perhaps thanks to the youthful enthusiasm he and his wife bring to Play Go Round. “We have gone back to being children sometimes,” Baz said, “when we have sat down and selected all the cool toys we get to work with.”

Learn more about Play Go Round through the website and Instagram.

Photos courtesy of Play Go Round