Collaborating with Nordens Ark for a Cause
IKEA, committed to environmental sustainability and children’s education, introduces the SANDLÖPARE collection in Mexico. This line, developed with Nordens Ark, a Swedish wildlife conservation center, aims to bring children closer to the fascinating world of endangered animals.
Inspired by IKEA Play Report 2024
The SANDLÖPARE collection comprises over 30 products that transform home spaces into an imaginary safari. These items include taburetes turned into zebras, alfombras (rugs) into serpents, and colchonetas (mattresses) along with baúles (chests) that can transform any room into a campsite in the African savannah.
Educational Purpose and Raising Awareness
Beyond the design, SANDLÖPARE aims to foster play and curiosity about nature. According to the IKEA Play Report 2024, only 51% of children are satisfied with the time they have for play, and 54% of parents wish to spend more quality time playing with their kids.
Giving Voice to Less-Known Species
The collection seeks to highlight lesser-known species, with IKEA of Sweden AB continuing its collaboration with Nordens Ark to support conservation efforts and develop products that inspire curiosity about the planet’s biodiversity.
“Thanks to our collaboration with Nordens Ark, our illustrations have become even more realistic. Before this, I had never heard of the flat-shelled turtle or the narrow-snouted crocodile. Now, both children and parents can discover these special species with the same curiosity I felt,” explains Anna Edlundh, product design developer at IKEA of Sweden AB.
Sustainable Design and Quality
All the plush toys in the SANDLÖPARE collection are made from 100% recycled materials, including fillings, fabrics, threads, and internal reinforcements.
Each piece undergoes rigorous quality testing, ensuring resistance, durability, and multiple washing cycles to withstand daily use and children’s energy.
Design Challenges and Solutions
“We know the challenges our plush toys face once they reach homes: being bitten, pulled, and squashed. In SANDLÖPARE, one of the biggest challenges was designing the giraffe’s neck—it had to remain firm after washing while also feeling soft. It was a challenge, but we managed it and are happy with the result,” says Jorge Omar Santoyo Henaine, product design developer at IKEA of Sweden AB.
Since 1997, all IKEA plush toys have featured embroidered eyes instead of beads. This safety measure has also enhanced their expressiveness.
A Collection with Purpose
The SANDLÖPARE collection will be available in all IKEA markets starting October 2025. More than a design proposal, it encourages playing, learning, and caring for nature from home, fostering empathy and environmental awareness in future generations.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the SANDLÖPARE collection? It’s a line of over 30 home products by IKEA, in collaboration with Nordens Ark, that turns living spaces into an imaginary safari, focusing on endangered animals and promoting environmental awareness.
- What materials are used in the SANDLÖPARE collection? All products are made from 100% recycled materials, including fillings, fabrics, threads, and internal reinforcements.
- What is the educational purpose of SANDLÖPARE? The collection aims to foster play and curiosity about nature, addressing the need for more quality time between children and parents.
- Which endangered species are featured in the SANDLÖPARE collection? The collection highlights lesser-known species, supported by Nordens Ark’s conservation efforts.
- When will the SANDLÖPARE collection be available? The collection will be launched in all IKEA markets starting October 2025.
