Q: Who or what is Bildopolis?
A: Bildopolis believes in playful learning, where kids learn without being 'taught'. We feel that their everyday lives provide opportunities for learning, and the things they discover through play build creativity, imagination, spatial awareness, and dexterity while encouraging problem-solving skills. Bildopolis is a San Francisco-based company that makes simple, eco-friendly, large-scale building kits for kids.

Bildopolis was founded by Industrial Designer, John Smith who worked for the internationally acclaimed design firm IDEO. During his ten years at IDEO, John designed strategies and products for numerous Fortune 500 companies where sustainability was rarely valued over profits. From these experiences John was inspired to build his own company with a philosophy of creating simple, well-designed, environmentally conscious products that are enriched with fun.

Q: What is the Big Bilder kit?
A: The Big Bilder kit is the first in a line of large-scale structure building kits designed to encourage creativity, imagination, spatial awareness, and dexterity while also teaching kids to think in 3D. Once built, the Bildopolis Big Bilder kit gives kids a private place to call their own while fostering imaginative play as well as providing a canvas for creative art.

Q: What is the kit made out of?
A: The Bilding Boards are made from 40% recycled-content cardboard. They have a core and an outer paper lining that were specifically chosen for their durability. In order to have as much quality control as possible, we source our cardboard from right here from California instead of out of the country. Our hook and loop parts are made from recyclable nylon in Taiwan. The manufacturing of the cardboard, assembly and drop-shipping are all local to the San Francisco Bay area.
Note: Cardboard is a natural product, so there may be some small tears in your Bilding Boards due to the stamping process. This is normal and doesn't affect their performance.

Q: Who is it for?
A: Bildopolis is for kids (and adults) 6 years and older. While kids younger than 6 can play in the structure (after mom, dad or a sibling builds it), we've found that they lack the patience and care needed to actually build the structures and they can be a little rough with the boards.

Q: Can my child put on stickers, paint or markers to personalize the boards?
A: Yes! In fact personalization is encouraged! We'd love to see anything that your child does with the kits. These will also help us think of more products for more fun!

Q: Can my child climb on it?
A: No, while pretty sturdy, Bildopolis is for climbing IN, not climbing ON.

Q: Can Bildopolis be used outdoors?
A: Well, if it's not raining. The Bilding Boards are not coated with any films to make them waterproof.

Q: Is there a store nearby that sells the Bildopolis Big Bilder kit?
A: Unless you're in the San Francisco Bay area, probably not at this time. We're working on getting the kits into stores, but for now, the best way to get them is through our online store.

Q: I have an idea for a kit or an accessory, can I send my idea to you?
A: Yes! Please send us any ideas that you have to make bildopolis even better. We love listening to our customers ideas! And please send us your comments, good or bad so that we can continue to refine and improve the bildopolis system.

Q: My child is very physical and loves to smash stuff. Is Bildopolis ok for him/her?
A: Ummm, probably not for him to smash. Again, while sturdy, bildopolis is still just cardboard and doesn't take smashing too well. ;-)