How do you invite over 2,000 kids into a shared creative moment without creating waste or leaving anyone behind?

 

About the Client

Way Out West (WOW) is an annual children’s festival held at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre in Liverpool, NSW. Aimed at kids and young people up to 15 years old, the festival champions creativity, inclusion, and cultural exchange. The event brought together thousands of families for a vibrant program of workshops, installations, and performances.

The Concept

WOW Festival had a striking aerial installation already in place, a large sculptural birds soaring through the space. The client wanted a playful and creative activation to complement this existing work, without disrupting or removing it due to cost constraints. The solution had to be inclusive, imaginative, and able to engage a high volume of children in a meaningful hands- on activity.

Our Approach

Cardboard Mill designed a custom workshop experience that aligned with the bird-themed environment. Drawing inspiration from the iconic kookaburra, we developed a DIY headdress kit made entirely from recycled cardboard. The kits were modular, pre-cut, and easy to assemble, encouraging creativity through decoration.

Our process prioritised:

• Sustainability: All materials were made from recycled content
• User-Friendly Design: Kits were pre-scored for small hands to fold easily without
  needing scissors or glue.
• Scalability: Designs were optimised to suit large volumes and quick turnover,
  ensuring a smooth experience for facilitators.
• Collaboration: We worked closely with the event producers and facilitators to
  ensure seamless delivery and setup.

The Result

Over 2,000 children participated in the activation across the festival, proudly crafting and wearing their kookaburra crowns. The workshop was a standout interactive element of the event, supporting creativity, play, and cultural storytelling in an environmentally mindful way. Facilitators were equipped with everything they needed to run the sessions independently across multiple days, ensuring consistency and ease of engagement. The activation received overwhelmingly positive feedback from families and staff, and helped reinforce WOW Festival’s commitment to inclusive, hands-on art experiences.

Want to create an activation that speaks your commitment to sustainability?

Let’s bring your vision to life with a design that’s high-impact and low-impact, at the same time.

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