Our story

The Story of KAPLA

The story of KAPLA® is one of a Dutch antique dealer who dreamed of building his own castle.

A wooden construction game that became a universal language

For almost 40 years, KAPLA has been connecting generations and transforming living spaces around the world.

The iconic wooden planks, crafted from sustainably sourced French maritime pine from the Landes forest, can be found in homes, schools, museums, architects’ practices, cultural centres, hotels and creative studios alike.

Because KAPLA is not simply a wooden construction game.

It is a tool for open-ended creativity — a universal, intergenerational language without rules or limits — inviting everyone to imagine, build and share.

The origins of KAPLA: a builder’s dream

At the origin of KAPLA is Tom van der Bruggen, an extraordinary Dutch creator. His dream? To build a castle.

In pursuing this bold ambition, Tom invented a wooden plank with perfect proportions:

- 3 thicknesses equal 1 width
- 5 widths equal 1 length
- or 15 thicknesses equal 1 length

A simple, precise and ingenious piece of design, allowing anything to be built without glue or nails — relying solely on balance and gravity.

And so KAPLA was born, a contraction of Kabouter Plankjes, meaning “gnome planks” in Dutch.

From humble beginnings to an iconic object

KAPLA’s early days were artisanal, modest and sincere. With no budget for custom packaging, Tom used what he could find: detergent barrels.

These containers became KAPLA’s emblematic packaging — a cult detail filled with memories and passed down through generations.

KAPLA: an educational game that travels and inspires

In 1989, the first KAPLA activity centre opened its doors. Children, parents, teachers and enthusiasts discovered the KAPLA universe through educational workshops in schools and dedicated venues.

Today, there are 13 KAPLA centres in France and internationally.

From 1990 onwards, the wooden planks began travelling beyond borders — Germany, Switzerland, Norway and many other countries followed.

To support growing demand while preserving exceptional product quality, KAPLA opened a production facility in Tangier in the early 2000s. This strategic expansion enabled the brand to meet increasing global demand while maintaining high manufacturing standards and accessible pricing — ensuring the long-term sustainability of KAPLA.

Monumental constructions that captivate the world

KAPLA is also the stage for spectacular challenges and architectural feats:

- A monumental Eiffel Tower exhibited at the Musée des Arts décoratifs in 1988

- A 25-metre tower built at London Palladium in 2023, officially recorded by Guinness World Records, created by Benjamin Crouzier and a dedicated team

- The façade of the Musée d'Orsay reconstructed in 2025 by the KAPLA Paris Centre

- And numerous historic landmarks recreated by passionate builders around the globe

These creations both fascinate and move audiences, showcasing the extraordinary creative power of this unique wooden construction system.

A free, sustainable and timeless game

Despite its international expansion, KAPLA has never lost its essence: an open-ended game accessible to all, inviting people to dream, build and share.

Its simplicity makes it an exceptionally rich creative medium.

Educational game, developmental tool, artistic support or teaching resource -KAPLA is used:

- in schools
- in architects’ practices
- in care centres
- in art workshops

It adapts to every age, every context and every pair of hands.

KAPLA is a sustainable, responsibly crafted and timeless wooden construction game.

KAPLA: more than a construction game

KAPLA is an invitation to see the world differently, to create without limits and to pass on creativity with simplicity.

A brand born from a dream — and since 1987, one that continues to inspire dreamers and builders across the world.