FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS, NON-PROFITS & BUSINESSES
GUIDE TO PLANNING YOUR
CARDBOARD CHALLENGE!
PREP
1. Determine the Size of Your Cardboard Challenge
Think big, or small or somewhere in-between. Challenges can range in size from a small gathering in a neighborhood park to kids taking over a museum courtyard, office, community center or entire block to play and show off their cardboard games and creations. Considering teaming up with another school, non-profit, church, library, museum, local business or other community organization!
2. Put Together an Organizing Committee (if Needed)
Depending on the scale of your event, you may need an organizing committee. Invite people who are enthusiastic and passionate about supporting kids and creativity. Reach out to friends, parents, co-workers, and other community members to collaborate or provide support for your Challenge. Don't forget to secure permits and sponsors if you need them. Think big or small, just keep it fun (and safe)!
3. Choose a Time & Place for Your Cardboard Challenge Event
Find a location that's safe and has room for kids to build. Organizers have hosted their events at schools, their businesses, community centers, libraries, parks, - even parking lots. We encourage you to build your creations any time through September or during the first week of October. On Saturday, October 5th — the anniversary of the flash mob that came out to make Caine's day — we will celebrate with Cardboard Challenge events worldwide.
4. Register Your Event Online
In August, you will be able to register your Cardboard Challenge and create an official Challenge Page where you can share photos, videos, stories and activity ideas. You will be invited to join our amazing community of Organizers around the world and share ideas through forums and scheduled Hangouts. We'll be featuring different local Challenges throughout the September and sending additional tools & tips along the way.
5. Gather Cardboard & Materials
Start collecting materials (see Suggested Materials). Most items needed for your Cardboard Challenge can be found around the house, so ask kids and parents to start saving boxes, tape, old toys for prizes and other miscellaneous items. Contact local businesses and see if they have excess boxes or supplies to donate.
Photo credit: Bellelli Educacion
TIME TO PLAY!
6. Share the 'Caine's Arcade' Film
Before the building begins, screen the 'Caine's Arcade' short film on www.cainesarcade.com to get your kids inspired. You may also want to share the follow-up film: 'Caine's Arcade 2: From A Movie to A Movement.'
7. Design Time
Have your kids start designing their cardboard games/creations. Encourage them to brainstorm crazy ideas, make sketches, combine different ideas, and think about who they're creating for. Have them share and choose their favorite ideas.
Photo credit: Superkids in British Columbia
8. Just Build It
Lay out materials and have kids jump in and start building. They can work in pairs, small groups or individually - it's up to you. Encourage experimentation and asking for help and feedback along the way. To date, kids have made everything from marble mazes in pizza boxes and human whack-a-moles to robots, miniature dunk-tanks and life-size podracers. Use some cardboard and your imagination and build something awesome!
(Take a peek at 2012 GCC Videos for more ideas and join our Caine's Arcade Inspired Educators Facebook Group for some great photos and tips from other teachers (even if you're not a teacher).
9. October 5th and the Day of Play
On October 5th, invite friends, family and community members to come out to play games and celebrate what the kids have built. Get creative with your Day of Play! You can set up a booth for prizes or a craft table/build area for kids who come that day. Hold a prize ceremony with fun categories, or a cardboard runway or a show and tell – it’s up to you. Most importantly, have fun! Make sure to take lots of pictures and share on twitter and FB using the #GCC2013 and @imagination hashtags.
Also, if you decide to sell Funpasses or collect donations at your event, consider donating proceeds to a charity or local cause. To date, kids have used their cardboard arcades to raise funds for local children's hospitals, soup kitchens, Make-a-Wish Foundation, the Imagination Foundation, and more. This makes us happy and proud!
10. Contests & Documentation: After October 5th
After October 5th, there will be contests and prizes for the best photos/videos of games and cardboard creations and more. The prizes are still top secret, but they are going to be super fun! Plan to document your events if you can (invite local filmmakers, get release forms, etc.) Don’t forget to send thank you’s to everybody: sponsors, organizing committee, participants and of course, your volunteers. We can't wait to hear/see how your Challenge went and look forward to next year!
Photo credits: Feed the Monster, Fun Pass, and Pop 'Em All courtesy of Julie Santucci