The Child Diabetes Foundation
The Child Diabetes Foundation
How can we help kids and families learn about type 1 diabetes through play?
When a child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, the whole family’s world changes overnight. Information, routines, and emotions become overwhelming, especially for the youngest children. Barndiabetesfonden wanted to create tools that offer relevant, educational, and hopeful support for kids and families learning to live with the condition.
At Peppy, we led the needs analysis, focus groups, and concept development to ensure the content truly reflected children’s perspectives and feelings. The result is a suite of tools designed for everyday family life that blend empathy, learning, and play.
We built understanding around what kids and families really need
We began with a needs analysis — focus groups with children aged 6–12, interviews with parents, and conversations with healthcare professionals. These sessions revealed a clear need for playful and emotionally aware materials for families. Based on these insights, we shaped concepts for how Barndiabetesfonden can support different age groups through its new online resource center, launching as part of a national initiative in 2026–2027.
We created a story world to help little ones learn and families find hope
For the youngest children, we created gender-neutral characters that reflect different personalities and emotions. These characters are initially brought to life through a storybook and activity book that help kids make sense of their diagnosis through stories, play, and creativity. Developed together with parents, children, and healthcare staff, these materials form part of a support package that families receive when leaving the hospital.
Launching in November 2025, the kit gives children a way to process their feelings and learn about diabetes on their own terms, through imagination and play.
