Cardboard Machines
A giant pile of cardboard, some simple tools, and a challenge: build a machine that actually moves. Cranks, gears, catapults — whatever you can dream up.
Choose a session date / time:
One ticket covers one child plus an accompanying grown-up. Registering siblings? Add a ticket per child at checkout. Questions? Email hello@waterbearworkshop.org.
What we'll do
Cardboard is the world's best prototyping material — cheap, strong, and endlessly forgiving. We hand each family a pile of it, some simple cutting and joining tools, and a challenge: build a machine that moves.
Cranks that turn wheels, gears that mesh, a catapult that launches a pom-pom across the room — kids and grown-ups design, cut, fold, and test together.
We'll explore
- How to make cardboard strong (it's all in the folds)
- Simple machines: wheels, levers, gears, and cranks
- Designing, testing, and fixing — the maker's loop
- Safe use of kid-friendly tools
You'll leave with
- A working cardboard machine you built together
- Tool confidence and a head full of ideas
- Probably some cardboard to take home for round two
Who it's for
Kids ages 6–12 and one grown-up per child. Younger makers especially love this one.
Inspired by the cardboard-fabrication work we do at Waterbear Field School.
A giant pile of cardboard, some simple tools, and a challenge: build a machine that actually moves. Cranks, gears, catapults — whatever you can dream up.
Choose a session date / time:
One ticket covers one child plus an accompanying grown-up. Registering siblings? Add a ticket per child at checkout. Questions? Email hello@waterbearworkshop.org.