What is the Global Cardboard Challenge?
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The Global Cardboard Challenge is an annual initiative of the Imagination.org. Inspired by the short film, ‘Caine’s Arcade‘, the Cardboard Challenge is a worldwide celebration of child creativity and the role communities can play in fostering it.
In the month of September, kids will design and build something out of cardboard, recycled materials and imagination. Then on October 7, 2017, the anniversary of the flash mob that came out to make Caine’s day in the ‘Caine’s Arcade’ short film, friends, family, and community members will come out to local events to celebrate the creativity and imagination of kids everywhere.
The Global Cardboard Challenge started in 2012 with over 270 Challenge events organized in 41 countries. Last year’s Challenge had over 120,000 participants from 46 countries, and was recognized as a ‘Champion’ in LEGO’s Reimagine Learning Challenge (see LEGO’s video about our work here). Kids have used their events to raise tens-of-thousands of dollars for various causes, including local food banks, community gardens, library and school programs, childhood cancer research, and the Imagination Foundation.
Why should I host a Cardboard Challenge?
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Because creativity and creative thinking are critical skills for the future. And because it’s fun! By hosting a Cardboard Challenge, you are joining our global community of parents, teachers, and business and nonprofit leaders who are helping us realize our mission of fostering creativity and entrepreneurship in kids.
We put on the Global Cardboard Challenge because it:
• engages children in Creative Play
• fosters creativity, ingenuity, resourcefulness, perseverance and teamwork
• gives children an opportunity to explore their interests and passions, and make things that have an impact on others
• provides a platform for communities to actively foster and celebrate child creativity
• increases global happiness and makes for a happier, more playful world!
When Is the Global Cardboard Challenge?
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Our 11th Annual Global Cardboard Challenge kicks off in October and culminates in a global day of play on October 14th, 2023, commemorating the flash mob that came out to make Caine’s day in the short film. You can plan your Challenge to take place in October, with multiple days for kids to design and build (and explore different parts of the creative process!), or as a one-day event on Oct 14th – it’s up to you.
NOTE: If you are unable to host your event on a Saturday, just choose a day around October 14th that works for you. Hint: maybe Friday?
How do I host a Cardboard Challenge?
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Hosting a Cardboard Challenge is simple and fun! All you need is a location (e.g. a classroom, local park, backyard, driveway, community center), kids (show them ‘Caine’s Arcade‘ to get them inspired), cardboard and recycled materials, and some imagination.
A Cardboard Challenge can happen in school or outside school. If you’re a parent, host one in your backyard with friends and family, or team up with a local school, business, nonprofit or other community organization. If you’re an educator, organize a Cardboard Challenge with your class, or get the entire school school involved. You can also host a Challenge for the kids in your after-school club or youth organization or through your company.
Registration will open soon for the 2017 Global Cardboard Challenge. Join our mailing list, and we’ll keep you up-to-date on the latest.
How can my school participate?
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Any school, organization, or individual can host and organize a Cardboard Challenge. Save the date for October 14, 2023 and get the Cardboard Challenge on the calendar before school lets out.
How do I fundraise?
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If you’d like to use your Cardboard Challenge to fundraise for the Imagination.org, please do! You could also fundraise for another organization of your choice. When you register your event, set a fundraising goal and enter it in the appropriate field and you’re ready to go!
Are there any guidelines for promoting my Cardboard Challenge?
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Just a few below. The rest is up to you!
Naming Your Event
As there may be multiple events in a city, it’s a good idea to name your Challenge something specific, e.g. [Your Organization’s] Awesome Cardboard Challenge or ‘[Your Organization’s] Cardboard Arcade Extravaganza, etc.., If you are thinking about hosting a large city-wide event, email hello@imagination.org to see if there is already an event being planned in your city.
Raising Money
Cardboard Challenges are not-for-profit. If you sell Fun Passes, tickets, etc, proceeds can be used to raise money for school programs or donated to a charity or nonprofit. Past Cardboard Challenge events have either been free or raised funds for various great causes, including local food banks, community gardens, library and school programs, childhood cancer research, gorilla habitats and the Imagination Foundation!
Promotional materials
Make sure any poster/fliers/press release include language about the Imagination Foundation and the Global Cardboard Challenge, and a link to www.imagination.is. It can be as simple as:”Part of the Imagination.org’s Global Cardboard Challenge.” or “Part of the 2017 Global Cardboard Challenge – Presented by the Imagination.org, ________, and You!’ www.imagination.is”
Ready to get started? Sign up to receive Organizer Updates. Have questions? Email hello@imagination.org.
If we can’t host on October 7th, can we still participate?
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Of course! For the 2017 Global Cardboard Challenge, we’ve chosen Oct 7th, 2017 to celebrate the anniversary of the flash mob that came out to make Caine’s day. If you can’t do your event that Saturday, just choose a day on or around Oct 10th that works for you and your school/organization
What is the mission of the Imagination Foundation?
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The Imagination Foundation was inspired by the global response to the ‘Caine’s Arcade‘ short film. We’re a nonprofit with a mission to find, foster and fund creativity and entrepreneurship in children around the world to raise a new generation of innovators and problem solvers who have the tools they need to build the world they imagine. Learn more about our projects below:
Global Cardboard Challenge
Get Inspired. Do Something Awesome!