Kodo Kids

What Kodo Kids does

Kodo Kids is a Broomfield, Colorado-based manufacturer and retailer of play-based educational materials focused on early childhood (birth through approximately age 9) STEM and whole-child development. Founded in 2008 by Chris Hume and operating as a private, founder-owned business with 11-50 employees, the company designs and produces open-ended physical learning tools — including Magnet Wall systems (indoor, mobile, outdoor variants with ramps and accessories), Light Exploration Labs (color-mixing tables and panels with RGB controls), Wind & Flight products (wind tunnels and flight labs), wooden Discovery Ramps, and the original Chalk Spinner — alongside an extended catalog of over 230 SKUs covering blocks, dramatic play, math manipulatives, sensory, pre-literacy, and outdoor learning. The company partners with Rigamajig and Learning Beautiful (an MIT Media Lab–origin Montessori-aligned computer science curriculum) to resell adjacent products and offers bundled kits for comprehensive classroom setups.

The business operates as a direct-to-consumer and B2B hybrid, primarily through a Shopify-powered e-commerce storefront at kodokids.com, supplemented by a "Request a Quote" system for institutional/institutional orders and an international distribution channel. Pricing ranges from $5 accessory items to $4,150 large kits, with self-paced online courses priced at $35 or less. Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales, recurring professional development services, and a subscription-style content library (Kodo Education & Resource Hub) bundled with tool purchases. The company markets through the Kodo Journal blog, Instagram, email newsletters, expert-led webinars, and NAEYC conference participation, and supports educators through a Play Ambassador community program.

Kodo Kids manufactures its products in Colorado, U.S.A., and emphasizes neuro-inclusive design, durability (Baltic Birch construction, weather-resistant outdoor options), and curriculum alignment — including a co-developed "Kodo Kit for Teaching Strategies." The business is bootstrapped, with no disclosed venture capital, private equity, or acquisition activity, and operates as an independent, founder-led entity serving early childhood educators, schools, daycares, parents/families, and occupational/therapeutic specialists.

Name

Kodo Kids

Legal name

Kodo Kids

Website

https://kodokids.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kodo Kids is a Colorado-based manufacturer and online retailer of open-ended, play-based educational materials for early childhood (birth to age 9) STEM learning, selling direct to educators, schools, daycares, parents, and therapists via a Shopify storefront and B2B quotes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Early Childhood Educational Equipment

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)

akta.pro primary industry

Math & STEM Learning Technology (incl. Coding/Robotics Platforms) (EDAJAMAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Digital/Interactive Curriculum Content (Apps, Games, Multimedia Lessons) (EDACAJAK)

Keywords

• Early childhood education
• Play-based learning materials
• STEM classroom equipment
• Educational manipulatives
• Open-ended learning toys

Headquarters

HQ city

Broomfield

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: One-time hardware sales of educational play materials and STEM learning tools. Products range from individual items ($5-$4,150) to comprehensive kits. Revenue is generated through direct e-commerce sales to educators and institutions.
2. Professional Development Services: In-person and virtual professional development workshops for educators, along with self-paced online courses (priced at $35 or less) that provide certificates on completion.
3. Resource Hub Subscription: The Kodo Education Resource Hub is included with tool purchases for unlimited reference, providing step-by-step implementation guides. Self-paced courses available separately.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kodo Kids designs, manufactures, and sells open-ended, play-based learning materials and STEM classroom equipment for early childhood education, including magnet wall systems, light exploration labs, wind tunnels, ramp systems, and the original Chalk Spinner, alongside bundled kits and resold partner brands such as Rigamajig and Learning Beautiful. The company complements its physical products with the Kodo Education & Resource Hub, which delivers professional development workshops, expert-led webinars, and self-paced online courses for educators.

Product overview

Kodo Kids is an early childhood education company offering a portfolio of play-based learning materials and kits designed for STEM education. The product line centers on five Kodo Innovation categories: Light Exploration (Light Laboratory, Light Lab Panel, Spectrum Light Lab, Shelf Top Light Panel, Light Lab Rainbow Pegboard Set), Magnet Walls (Indoor, Mobile, Outdoor, and Outdoor Mobile variants with extension panels and add-on packs), Wind & Flight (Flight Lab, Wind Tunnel), Ramps (Discovery Ramps in various configurations, Toddler Ramp Set, Ramp Center Kit, Rubber Ramp systems), and the Chalk Spinner (original product). Beyond Kodo innovations, the portfolio includes partner brands Rigamajig (large-scale building sets and add-on kits) and Learning Beautiful (screen-free Montessori-aligned computer science materials). Bundled kits span Family Engagement, Art, Loose Parts, Discovery, Toys & Games, Outdoors, Block Play, Sand & Water, Dramatic Play, and Monthly Bundles. Educational services include professional development workshops, expert-led webinars, self-paced courses, and the Kodo Education & Resource Hub. The company operates exclusively through Shopify's e-commerce platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Light Laboratory Hands-on color mixing table with RGB knobs for early childhood classrooms to explore light science and color theory.
• Spectrum Light Lab Interactive classroom tool with white and color-mixing light panels and storage cabinet for hands-on light and color exploration.
• Shelf Top Light Panel Compact light panel designed for classroom shelves for color and shadow exploration.
• Indoor Magnet Wall Indoor magnetic wall STEM learning tool with ramps and cups on metal panels for physics exploration.
• Mobile Magnet Wall Portable magnetic wall with magnetic ramps and components on a Baltic Birch stand for interactive STEM play.
• Outdoor Magnet Wall Weather-resistant outdoor magnetic wall with metal panels and magnetic accessories for interactive STEM learning.
• Wind Tunnel Educational wind tunnel tool with adjustable airflow and pivoting clear tube for exploring air movement.
• Flight Lab Baltic Birch wind tunnel flight lab demonstrating air currents and flight physics for children.
• Discovery Ramps Wooden ramps demonstrating physics concepts with balls and tubes for hands-on STEM learning.
• Toddler Ramp Set Colorful wooden ramp set designed for toddlers exploring motion and elevation.
• Chalk Spinner Interactive wooden chalkboard toy for children's creative play and learning, the original Kodo product launched in 2008.
• Ramp Center Kit Comprehensive kit for building ramps and exploring motion and speed in classroom settings.
• Construct + Explore Kit STEM at home collection kit for construction and exploration learning activities.
• The Kodo Kit for Teaching Strategies Core teaching kit aligned with Teaching Strategies curriculum.
• Kodo Outdoors Basic Kit Outdoor STEM learning kit with ramps, funnels, sandbags, and scoops.
• Large Construction Kit Comprehensive construction kit for large-scale building activities.
• Kodo Block Play Basic Set Construction kit with tubes, tunnels, discovery ramps, and cork blocks.
• Rigamajig Junior Large-scale building set promoting engineering thinking and teamwork for young children.
• Rigamajig Basic Builder Kit Comprehensive large-scale building kit for open-ended construction play.
• Learning Beautiful Classroom Set Screen-free Montessori-aligned computer science materials for children ages 3-9, developed at MIT Media Lab.
• Learning Beautiful Learning at Home Set Natural wood screen-free computer science kit for home learning, ages 3-9.
• Kodo Education & Resource Hub Online educational platform with step-by-step implementation guides, professional development resources, webinars, and self-paced courses for educators.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supports learning across numeracy, literacy, science, and social interactions through play

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Learning BeautifulcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLearning Beautiful creates screen-free, Montessori-aligned curriculum for teaching computer science to young children, developed at MIT Media Lab. Kodo Kids resells their natural wood materials including the Classroom Set ($1,150) and Learning at Home Set ($375) that introduce foundational CS concepts like binary numbers, pattern recognition, abstraction, and logical thinking to children ages 3-9.
• RigamajigcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRigamajig shares Kodo's commitment to hands-on, open-ended learning that fosters creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. Their large-scale building sets complement Kodo's materials by promoting engineering thinking and teamwork. Products include Rigamajig Junior ($497), Basic Builder Kit ($4,150), and various Add-On Kits.
• Natural PodminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner brand featured in Kodo Kids catalog alongside other partner products. Natural Pod focuses on natural learning environments and materials.
• Teaching StrategiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeaching Strategies is referenced as a partner, potentially for curriculum alignment and educational resources integration with Kodo's product offerings and The Kodo Kit.
• Blackbird Therapy GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlackbird Therapy Group partnership page on Equitable Play and Learning, supporting neuro-inclusive play initiatives and therapeutic applications of Kodo materials.
• Kodo Education HubcoreOthersThe Kodo Education Hub (kodokids-educationhub.com) serves as the company's digital learning platform providing professional development courses, webinars, and implementation resources. This internal platform supports product adoption and ongoing educator engagement.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Excellerations: Excellerations (by Discount School Supply) provides value-priced early childhood classroom and STEM materials. It is a comparable e-commerce-first supplier competing on similar kit and bundle formats for the ECE buyer.
• Community Playthings: Community Playthings manufactures classroom furniture and open-ended wooden play equipment for early childhood settings, with a strong emphasis on developmentally appropriate design. Its wood-based, open-ended ethos closely mirrors Kodo Kids' maker identity.
• Learning Resources: Learning Resources designs and sells hands-on educational toys and STEM learning materials for early childhood and elementary classrooms. Its product breadth and educator channel overlap with Kodo Kids' magnet walls, ramps, and math manipulatives.
• Lakeshore Learning: Lakeshore Learning is a major direct-to-educator manufacturer and retailer of early childhood classroom materials, manipulatives, and STEM kits. It is the closest large-scale analog to Kodo Kids' hardware-plus-classroom-implementation model.
• Kaplan Early Learning Company: Kaplan supplies early childhood educators with curriculum-aligned classroom materials, furniture, and manipulatives. It competes with Kodo Kids for institutional ECE budgets and serves the same preschool and daycare buyer.
• Discount School Supply: Discount School Supply is a large ECE catalog and e-commerce retailer selling art, classroom, and sensory materials to early childhood programs. It is a comparable direct-to-educator channel for many of the same buyer segments as Kodo Kids.
• Constructive Playthings: Constructive Playthings supplies early childhood classrooms with manipulatives, blocks, dramatic play, and curriculum materials. Its product breadth in block play and construction kits overlaps directly with Kodo's Discovery Ramps and Block Play categories.

Emerging players

• Frog Street: Frog Street provides early childhood curriculum, professional development, and classroom materials for preschool programs. It is comparable as an ECE-focused content-plus-materials provider with curriculum alignment similar to The Kodo Kit for Teaching Strategies.

Broad incumbents

• Scholastic Education: Scholastic is a broad incumbent publisher and educational materials provider serving pre-K through 12th grade. It overlaps with Kodo Kids through classroom book collections, literacy kits, and school-channel distribution, though as part of a much larger portfolio.

Others

• Natural Pod: Natural Pod makes natural-material early learning environments and furniture and is an existing Kodo Kids distribution partner. It is a thematically adjacent peer focused on natural, sustainable ECE classroom design.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/kodokids

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kodo Kids