Brainstorm some ideas about what you could create out of cardboard. Remember, you can make anything that you love and are passionate about out of cardboard.
Here are some questions to think about as you start your brainstorm...
- What are your interests? Think about sports, places you have been, etc.
- What did you see in Caine's Arcade that caught your eye?
- What costumes did you see that caught your eye?
- Think about the things in life that you wish you had, but can't! Make a cardboard version!
- What have other people made? Can you make something similar or better?
Here are some ideas to help you think about what you can create for our "Wonderful World of Color" theme....
GAME IDEAS (Color-Themed)
Color Match Carnival Toss: Create a board with painted color zones or cut-out holes (like a rainbow or color wheel). Students toss balls, beanbags, or rings into the matching color area. Add point values for challenge!
Rainbow Relay Game: Design a color-coded obstacle course or game board where players follow a path by drawing colored cards and moving to that color’s station. Students can build cardboard spinners or dice to guide the game.
Spin & Sort Challenge: Create a spinning wheel with different colors. When a color is spun, players must race to toss or place matching colored items (balls, shapes, etc.) into the correct box or slot on a cardboard board.
Color Code Maze: Build a flat or vertical maze where the correct path is based on color codes. For example, follow red > yellow > green to get to the end. If players take the wrong color path, they must go back and try again.
Color Claw Grabber Game: Inspired by claw machines, students build a cardboard box filled with colorful "prizes" (like pom-poms or paper balls). Using a homemade claw or scoop arm, players must grab specific colors in a set time.
Color Cannon (Ball Launcher): Build a small launcher using cardboard levers or tubes. The goal is to launch color-coded balls into matching targets. For example, launch a red ball into the red circle!
COSTUME IDEAS (Color-Themed + Wearable)
Rainbow Robot: A robot costume built from cardboard boxes and decorated in rainbow colors or color blocks. Add painted “buttons” labeled with color functions like “Paint Mode,” “Color Dance,” etc.
Walking Crayon Box: Students turn themselves into a giant box of crayons — complete with wearable cardboard crayons in all colors sticking out of the top, or just become one giant crayon of their favorite color.
Color Explosion Costume: Use strips of painted cardboard or tissue to create a costume that looks like an abstract burst of color—like a walking fireworks display or Jackson Pollock-style artwork come to life!
Kaleidoscope Costume: Use triangular and geometric cardboard pieces painted in bright patterns to create a costume that mimics a kaleidoscope’s reflection. You could include a matching hat or cardboard glasses to complete the look.
Color-Themed Animal or Creature: Choose a favorite color and design a creature or animal costume themed entirely in shades of that color (e.g., a blue sea monster, a red dragon, a yellow bird). Use cardboard for wings, tails, ears, etc.
Paint Palette Artist Costume: Students create a giant wearable paint palette out of cardboard, complete with color “blobs” and a giant cardboard paintbrush. Bonus: Add a beret or apron for the full artist look!
Color Monster Costume (Inspired by the book The Color Monster): Have students create a costume that represents a specific color + feeling (e.g., red = anger, blue = calm, yellow = happiness). Use cardboard to build the monster’s features and fluff or strips for texture.
Walking Color Wheel: Turn yourself into a living color wheel! Use a large round piece of cardboard (worn like a sandwich board) painted in primary and secondary colors, with arrows, labels, or facts about color theory.
Once you have an idea you feel excited about... head to Step 4!