Wilkinson Library: Global Cardboard Challenge

28 Sep Wilkinson Library: Global Cardboard Challenge

A certain Louis CK video in which he addresses in his usual poignant, funny style why he won’t get his kids a smart phone has gone viral in recent days. In case you’ve missed it, watch here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HbYScltf1c0 )

In the spirit of non-electronics enhanced, creative play for kids, Wilkinson Public Library is participating in the in the Global Cardboard Challenge which culminates in the Global Day of Play. Both were inspired by Caine, a nine-year-old boy from East L.A. whose fanciful, fantastic, full-sized, home-made cardboard arcade was a wonder in itself and was made famous in another viral video:

If you do nothing else today, take the 11 minutes to watch Caine’s Arcade. Caine is a boy who does not have the luxury of electronics or summer camp or enrichment activities to fill his time off from school, but he does what kids do best when given support and the chance: tap into a deep pool of creativity.

Caine’s Arcade Part Two explains what happened next, including the creation of the Cardboard Challenge and the Day of Play:

Our Global Cardboard Challenge is an annual challenge that invites kids around the world to design and build awesome creations using cardboard, recycled materials and imagination. The challenge culminates in a Global Day of Play on October 5th, marking the 2nd anniversary of the flashmob in the “Caine’s Arcade” short film, bringing communities together to celebrate the creativity and imagination of children around the world.

Kids have been creating with cardboard in the kids’ area at WPL for three Wednesdays already. They may not know they are one of 65,210 participants in 36 countries signed up on the Cardboard Challenge website, but they are having a lot of fun! Their creativity will be on display Saturday, October, when the kids will show off and let other kids (and adults!) play with their creations at the library from 10 a.m.– 3 p.m.

Kids can create at home, of course. The materials are easy to come by. There is also one more Cardboard Challenge afternoon at WPL: Wednesday, October 2, 3:30 pm.  (Materials provided.)

More info here: http://www.imagination.is/cardboard_challenge