Our Story

Inspired by the creativity and playfulness of his own kids, in 2008, PJ set off on a design adventure.

With a background in toy design, PJ was determined to create something that wouldn’t end up in landfill, and that would take children’s imaginations and natural inclination to play to the next level.

Seeing the big fun his own kids would have with a simple cardboard box sparked memories of his own childhood box play, and highlighted the potential and value of this humble, everyday material. The ‘aha’ moment that PJ had been looking for had arrived: Tools. For kids. For cardboard.

With a mission to play today, make tomorrow, Makedo empowers kids to develop the necessary skills; communication, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and empathy, to navigate and problem solve their way through our changing world.

Today, Makedo nurtures a growing, global community of like-minded makers who are working together to improve the future for people and the planet.

Makedo's Timeline

From his home studio, PJ develops the concept for an open-ended cardboard construction system with a working title of e-Clips.
Makedo is trademarked and launched in prototype form at Design:Made:Trade, Australia. The components Re-Clip, Safe-Saw and Lock-Hinge are introduced. The Free Play range is launched in the market.
Makedo launches the Find & Make range. Makedog celebrates its first birthday, and becomes Makedo’s official mascot.
The Cup Critters range is launched, and Makedo hosts its first public making event in Australia.
The Scru component is introduced.
The Box Props range is launched.
The Ready to Build range is launched, featuring the Scru and Scru-Driver components for the first time.
The Toolkit range is launched and includes the Scru+ component. The Ready to Build Space Pod is developed for Target USA and launched in stores nationwide.
The Toolkit range is expanded with tool add-on packs that feature the newly introduced Mini-Tool component.
Toolkit 3.0 is launched with updated components, including the Scru-Driver, a plastic-and-metal blade Safe-Saw, and the Fold-Roller.
Hub 1.0 goes live.
The Tool-Case is introduced.
The Roto-Ring component is introduced. The Create Kit range is launched, and Hub 2.0 goes live. In October Makedo gets its 100,000th Instagram follower.
From his home studio, PJ develops the concept for an open-ended cardboard construction system with a working title of e-Clips.
Makedo is trademarked and launched in prototype form at Design:Made:Trade, Australia. The components Re-Clip, Safe-Saw and Lock-Hinge are introduced. The Free Play range is launched in the market.
Makedo launches the Find & Make range. Makedog celebrates its first birthday, and becomes Makedo’s official mascot.
The Cup Critters range is launched, and Makedo hosts its first public making event in Australia.
The Scru component is introduced.
The Box Props range is launched.
The Ready to Build range is launched, featuring the Scru and Scru-Driver components for the first time.
The Toolkit range is launched and includes the Scru+ component. The Ready to Build Space Pod is developed for Target USA and launched in stores nationwide.
The Toolkit range is expanded with tool add-on packs that feature the newly introduced Mini-Tool component.
Toolkit 3.0 is launched with updated components, including the Scru-Driver, a plastic-and-metal blade Safe-Saw, and the Fold-Roller.
Hub 1.0 goes live.
The Tool-Case is introduced.
The Roto-Ring component is introduced. The Create Kit range is launched, and Hub 2.0 goes live. In October Makedo gets its 100,000th Instagram follower.
From his home studio, PJ develops the concept for an open-ended cardboard construction system with a working title of e-Clips.
Makedo is trademarked and launched in prototype form at Design:Made:Trade, Australia. The components Re-Clip, Safe-Saw and Lock-Hinge are introduced. The Free Play range is launched in the market.
Makedo launches the Find & Make range. Makedog celebrates its first birthday, and becomes Makedo’s official mascot.
The Cup Critters range is launched, and Makedo hosts its first public making event in Australia.
The Scru component is introduced.
The Box Props range is launched.
The Ready to Build range is launched, featuring the Scru and Scru-Driver components for the first time.
The Toolkit range is launched and includes the Scru+ component. The Ready to Build Space Pod is developed for Target USA and launched in stores nationwide.
The Toolkit range is expanded with tool add-on packs that feature the newly introduced Mini-Tool component.
Toolkit 3.0 is launched with updated components, including the Scru-Driver, a plastic-and-metal blade Safe-Saw, and the Fold-Roller.
Hub 1.0 goes live.
The Tool-Case is introduced.
The Roto-Ring component is introduced. The Create Kit range is launched, and Hub 2.0 goes live. In October Makedo gets its 100,000th Instagram follower.
From his home studio, PJ develops the concept for an open-ended cardboard construction system with a working title of e-Clips.
Makedo is trademarked and launched in prototype form at Design:Made:Trade, Australia. The components Re-Clip, Safe-Saw and Lock-Hinge are introduced. The Free Play range is launched in the market.
Makedo launches the Find & Make range. Makedog celebrates its first birthday, and becomes Makedo’s official mascot.
The Cup Critters range is launched, and Makedo hosts its first public making event in Australia.
The Scru component is introduced.
The Box Props range is launched.
The Ready to Build range is launched, featuring the Scru and Scru-Driver components for the first time.
The Toolkit range is launched and includes the Scru+ component. The Ready to Build Space Pod is developed for Target USA and launched in stores nationwide.
The Toolkit range is expanded with tool add-on packs that feature the newly introduced Mini-Tool component.
Toolkit 3.0 is launched with updated components, including the Scru-Driver, a plastic-and-metal blade Safe-Saw, and the Fold-Roller.
Hub 1.0 goes live.
The Tool-Case is introduced.
The Roto-Ring component is introduced. The Create Kit range is launched, and Hub 2.0 goes live. In October Makedo gets its 100,000th Instagram follower.
From his home studio, PJ develops the concept for an open-ended cardboard construction system with a working title of e-Clips.
Makedo is trademarked and launched in prototype form at Design:Made:Trade, Australia. The components Re-Clip, Safe-Saw and Lock-Hinge are introduced. The Free Play range is launched in the market.
Makedo launches the Find & Make range. Makedog celebrates its first birthday, and becomes Makedo’s official mascot.
The Cup Critters range is launched, and Makedo hosts its first public making event in Australia.
The Scru component is introduced.
The Box Props range is launched.
The Ready to Build range is launched, featuring the Scru and Scru-Driver components for the first time.
The Toolkit range is launched and includes the Scru+ component. The Ready to Build Space Pod is developed for Target USA and launched in stores nationwide.
The Toolkit range is expanded with tool add-on packs that feature the newly introduced Mini-Tool component.
Toolkit 3.0 is launched with updated components, including the Scru-Driver, a plastic-and-metal blade Safe-Saw, and the Fold-Roller.
Hub 1.0 goes live.
The Tool-Case is introduced.
The Roto-Ring component is introduced. The Create Kit range is launched, and Hub 2.0 goes live. In October Makedo gets its 100,000th Instagram follower.

Awards

Our team

and their favourite childhood toys...

Alan Kirszner

Head of Product

As a child, I was captivated by action figures and matchbox cars, often disassembling my toys to uncover how they were made.

Amelie Justin

Graphic Designer

I was obsessed with Sylvanian Families. My true joy came from setting up endless little domestic settings for them to “live in”.

Blair Phillips

Education Officer, AU & NZ

The most coveted toy of the time, a Matchbox carousel with collectable horses. My favourite was a blue sparkly pony called ‘Goodie’.

Claire Justin

Co-CEO

I loved role-playing ‘cafes’ and ‘schools’. I would draw up menus, cook food, or create spelling and math worksheets for friends and family. Amazingly, they kept coming over!

Colleen Graves

Content Officer, USA & CA

David Clancy

Global Head of Sales

Deb Nolan

Financial Controller

Mine was the Barbie and the Rockers stage set. So many concerts and TV shows were filmed in my house.

Guy Blashki

Brand Manager

An inherited vintage Swiss Army. With this versatile tool I could be the ultimate creator, transforming whatever I could into something new.

Johann Louarn

Head of Marketing

Pokémon Red/Blue on Gameboy, plus Pokémon cards. I loved playing it with my friends and cousins and talking about it for hours!

Melanie Mason

Creative Studio Manager

I loved playing with Mobilo Blocks. We had a massive bucket of these growing up and my brother and I would race the most ridiculous car creations.

Michael Stanfield

Account Manager, AU & NZ

Micro Machines! I have wonderful memories of playing out scenarios with friends and family, particularly outdoors amongst rock formations and woods.

Rose Hernan

Social Media Co-ordinator

My favourite childhood toy was our dress up box! I loved making up stories and characters with my sister and friends.

Paul Justin

Co-founder

Tinkertoy was the first open-ended construction toy system I recall experiencing. It immediately and irrevocably captured my interest in inventive play.

Russell Lloyd

Graphic Designer

A super early STEAM construction kit called ‘Capsela’ produced by Mitsubishi Pencil Co.

Sophie Coppenhall

Sustainability and Impact Co-ordinator

My Thomas the Tank Engine Trackmaster set. It was amazing for building, problem-solving, and general train nerdiness which I still have today.

Ryan Stapleford

Head of Sales, USA & CA

Shaya Rubinstein

Head of Operations

Sarah FitzHenry

Community Officer, USA & CA

Stuart McLardie

Supply Chain Manager

What little kid could pick just one favourite toy? I loved trucks, trains and Ninja Turtles!

Thea Davey

Industrial Designer

What really stuck with me is playing board games with cousins and friends. Passed down sets of Mouse Trap, Jenga, Crocodile Dentist, and Hungry Hungry Hippos.

Tyler Jefferson

Digital Content Specialist

A Lego castle, a boat and spaceship. The big revelation was the day I figured out I could mix them all together to make whatever I wanted!

Press

Best in STEM 2021

2021

Read article

Makedo Earns Seal of Approval from Pediatric Toy Experts

December 15, 2025

Read article

Global News | Finding the perfect toy for your kid this Christmas

December 11, 2024

Read article

Engineers Pick the Ten Best STEM Toys to Give as Gifts in 2022

November 23, 2022

Read article

Good Morning America | The Ultimate Toy Gift Guide

March 21, 2025

Read article

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About us

Our Story

Makedo's Timeline

Awards

Our team