this children’s umbrella casts playful characters onto the ground, making sun protection fun

a parasol that children want to carry themselves

Japanese design studio torinoko and distributor All Stadium collaborate for a children’s umbrella that encourages sun protection through play. Created in response to increasingly intense summer temperatures, the rain-and-sun umbrella projects playful shadow characters onto the ground, transforming the act of seeking shade into an interactive game, using behavioral design principles to make children want to use one on their own.

Named Kage no Otomodachi, or Shadow Friends, the umbrella reveals a series of illustrated companions within its shadow when opened in direct sunlight, inviting children to follow, chase, and walk alongside these figures, naturally remaining beneath the umbrella’s protective canopy as they play. The designers describe the project as a shift from forcing protective behaviors to creating conditions that encourage them voluntarily.

torinoko turns shade into a game

The concept emerges from a growing concern surrounding children’s exposure to extreme heat. Because children are physically closer to heat-radiating surfaces and their thermoregulation systems are still developing, they can experience significantly higher temperatures than adults perceive. School commutes and outdoor activities during increasingly hot summers have therefore become a growing source of concern for many parents. Parasols may offer an effective form of protection, but convincing children to use them still remains a challenge.

The Japanese designers at torinoko approach the issue by observing children’s natural fascination with shadows. The studio identified shadow play as a familiar and intuitive activity that could be transformed into a behavioral mechanism. The design is based on embedding playful figures within the shaded area cast by the umbrella, encouraging children to remain protected without framing the experience as a rule or obligation. The project ultimately positions shade itself as a source of curiosity and enjoyment.

The umbrella was developed through a collaboration initiated at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Design Management School, where participants from different industries explored ways to reduce risks faced by children in everyday life. Currently launched through the Japanese crowdfunding platform Makuake, the project debuts in a single turquoise-blue color selected for its visibility and ease of recognition outdoors. The team hopes that future production runs will introduce additional colors and further refinements while contributing to a broader cultural acceptance of parasol use among children.

project info:

name: Kage no Otomodachi (Shadow Friends)

design: torinoko | @torinoko_

partner: All Stadium