Colorful BABSY Build-A-Brush toothbrushes and interchangeable character pieces arranged on a yellow background

Children's Toothbrush Design

Client

Babsy

Product

Children's Toothbrush

Year

2025

Services

Manufacturing

Industrial Design

Branding

Packaging Design

Go to

Babsy

Branding

IDA Design Awards for BABSY Build-A-Brush
IDA Design Awards for BABSY Build-A-Brush
IDA Design Awards for BABSY Build-A-Brush

Babsy was started by two pediatric dentists, who were frequently asked by parents what the best toothbrush is for their child. They found themselves answering time and time again:

“Whatever gets them to brush twice a day!”

Leadoff worked with Babsy to design a toothbrush for children that actually gets them to brush. Build-A-Brush is a solution that children can build and customize themselves–turning brushing from a chore to an activity. We also designed Babsy’s branding and packaging.

Colorful BABSY Build-A-Brush toothbrush assembled from interchangeable character pieces
Hands holding and assembling a purple BABSY Build-A-Brush toothbrush with interchangeable pieces on a yellow background

Ergonomic design

When designing a toothbrush for children, we drew inspiration from action figures, miniatures, fidgets, and cognitive learning toys.


The key components we focused on:

  • Easy assembly and user experience.

  • Interchangeable parts for limitless options.

  • Smooth material finishes for an easy grip.

  • Social and emotional benefits that encourage play.


We engineered the children’s toothbrush design with the perfect matte finish that makes assembly smooth and ergonomic for a toddler’s dexterity.

Child’s hands assembling colorful pieces onto a BABSY Build-A-Brush toothbrush
Four colorful BABSY Build-A-Brush toothbrushes assembled with different character combinations
Magenta BABSY Build-A-Brush toothbrush surrounded by colorful interchangeable character pieces

Optimizing fun in children's health

The threaded rod and the bits are what Build-A-Brush is all about! When a child opens the box they are greeted with an explosion of color, organized in a system they can easily understand and assemble. Each bit is soft with rounded edges, and comes complete with a unique character or symbol.

Four BABSY toothbrushes showing different stacked character-piece combinations
Blue BABSY Build-A-Brush toothbrush surrounded by colorful interchangeable character pieces
BABSY toothbrush handle assembled with purple, blue, and yellow interchangeable pieces

Design strategy

Kids can assemble the brush with the bits that appeal to them. As a young child is growing and figuring out who they are as an individual, they can make sure the brush is always appealing to them, and reflects who they are. It uses the child’s sense of self to promote daily brushing habits at an early age.

The modular toothbrush is quick and easy for children to customize. Building the toothbrush without the help of an adult is a confidence builder, which leads to children using the toothbrush more frequently for its primary purpose: oral hygiene.

BABSY toothbrush heads, handles, rings, and character pieces arranged in a colorful grid

Sustainable design from recycled plastic

Build-A-Brush is made from 100% Recycled Plastic. Every bit is made from a mono-material that can be recycled at the end of its lifecycle. Instead of completely replacing the brush every 3 months, users can easily swap out a new brush head.

Three BABSY recycled-plastic component prototypes in blue color variations
Child assembling a BABSY Build-A-Brush toothbrush from the open activity kit
BABSY toothbrush components in multiple colors displayed with matching material sample cards
Three BABSY recycled-plastic component prototypes in blue color variations
BABSY toothbrush components in multiple colors displayed with matching material sample cards
Child assembling a BABSY Build-A-Brush toothbrush from the open activity kit

Let's start creating

Reach out to our New York-based design studio and let's turn

your next health, wellness, or lifestyle idea into something real.

Contact us

Let's start creating

Partner with our New York-based design studio to turn your next health, wellness, or lifestyle project into something real.

Contact us

Shape function into feeling

(646) 450-9378

info@leadoffstudio.com

Copyright @ 2026 Leadoff Studio

Shape function into feeling

(646) 450-9378

info@leadoffstudio.com

Copyright @ 2026 Leadoff Studio

Shape function

into feeling

(646) 450-9378

info@leadoffstudio.com

Copyright @ 2026 Leadoff Studio