Think of it like this: If you want to help someone, you don’t start by guessing their age, job, or hobbies. You start by asking, “What are they struggling with?”
About 11 years ago, I stumbled upon Caine’s Arcade, a cardboard wonderland created by a 9-year-old Caine in his garage. This wasn’t just any play area — it was a hub of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.
Watching the story unfold, I started to think differently about children’s play and creativity. What if kids could create their own toys and games from cardboard instead of picking up the next best thing from toy store shelves? This idea became even more relevant to me after my first child was born, kickstarting a personal journey into the world of cardboard creativity. This article documents and reflects on my 8 years of cardboard making and what I have observed and learned from this play.
Some of the cardboard projects that were made over the years.
There’s something special about cardboard toys. Unlike the ready-made, high-fidelity toys from stores, cardboard playthings are raw and unrefined. They leave so much to the imagination. In this way, they are like the ‘cool media’, a concept from Marshall McLuhan’s media theory. Cool media provide less sensory information and require the audience to actively engage their imagination to fill in the gaps. Think of comic books or abstract art, where the story or image isn’t fully defined. In contrast, high-fidelity toys are ‘hot media’ — they are highly detailed and provide a lot of information, leaving little room for the audience’s imagination. They let kids’ imaginations run wild.
A microwave and a fruit blender made with recycled cardboard
When it comes to designing with cardboard, the process is quite organic. It’s less about meticulous planning and more about bringing a core idea to life. I have tried to encourage putting ideas on paper before diving in. However, things don’t turn out how we first pictured them, but that’s part of the fun. This allows one not to overthink and to jump into building, quickly learning from the process.
A collaborative Design Thinking workshop where prototypes are made with cardboard
One of the challenges (and joys) of working with cardboard is that you’re often limited by the materials available. Collecting cardboard means you work with whatever shapes and sizes you find. It’s like a puzzle, trying to make your idea fit with the pieces you’ve got. It’s a lesson in seeing potential in the ordinary and turning it into something extraordinary.
A pizza oven (left ) and a cardboard town (right)
There’s a unique satisfaction in creating something with your own hands. A cardboard creation might not have the polish of a store-bought toy, but it has personality and character. It’s a product of imagination, effort, and sometimes, literal blood, sweat, and tears. This personal investment brings a sense of ownership and pride that money can’t buy. They represent individual creativity and effort, fostering a sense of ownership. However, learning to let go of these creations, due to their impermanent nature, is a valuable lesson in itself.
Cardboard, by its nature, isn’t as durable as plastic or other materials used in commercial toys. They might last a few weeks or months before needing to be replaced. Initially, this can be disappointing, but over time, it teaches a valuable lesson in detachment and the beauty of impermanence. It’s fine to say goodbye to old things and hello to new ideas.
After all these years, I have realised that making cardboard toys is about more than just play. It brings the family closer, and makes the play session a much more memorable one. I don’t make as many toys as I used to, but I’ve learned a lot about setting up a fun, open space where kids can learn and explore.
Accidentally stumbling upon play principles like AnjiPlay, The Land (Adventure playground) and gathering insights from various online sources, has fuelled my curiosity about minimally-structured and open-ended systems. Raising several intriguing questions in my mind.
How does such a system influence creativity, learning or even productivity within an organisation?
Playground in Anjiplay. Photo Credit - Anji Education, Inc
The Land on Plas Madoc
How much deliberate design is enough? Where is the Goldilocks zone?
This journey has not only been about crafting; it’s a broader exploration into the balance between guidance and freedom.
