Official Cardboard Carnival Rules
Who can participate?
The Cardboard Carnival is open to all D65 students and Evanston residents in grades 5th – 8th. Registration is required.
What materials can I use?
Your cardboard carnival game must be made from cardboard, recycled materials, and/or other everyday materials. We will also provide a free kit to help you get started. The kit includes a hot glue gun, motors, craft sticks, and more (you will need to return non-consumable materials back to the library). Here is a link to the full list kit contents.
What do I need to include in my cardboard game?
Your Cardboard Carnival game must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Game Elements – you need to include at least three elements or obstacles in your game.
- Motorized – one of your elements or obstacles needs to be powered by a motor (your kit will include two different types of motors).
- Scoring System – your game needs to have scoring system or a way to win/lose; it also needs to be reasonably winnable and not impossible to play.
- Dimensions – your game needs to fit on top of a table and shouldn’t exceed 28″ x 24″ inches.
Anyone who submits game that meets these requirements will earn a chance to win prizes in the Showcase Raffle.
You can and are encouraged to include more design elements though. Feel free to mix and match elements. The more design elements you include the more prize tokens you can earn. We have tutorials you can watch for each design element below.
Game Elements
Obstacle Elements
- Rubber band bumper
- Starting gate
- Peg obstacle
- Spinner obstacle
- Stationary obstacle
- Funnel
- Multi-track switch
- Mini-catapult
Motor Elements
- Code a Positional Servo
- Code a Rotational Servo
- Wire a Servo
- Servo Gate
- Servo Spinner Obstacle
- Code a control board
- Build a control board
Design Elements
- Add sound
- Touch circuits
- Create a theme
- Create a sign with your game’s name
- Add lights
- Button Controls
- Paint, draw, stencil
Where can I pick up my challenge kit?
Beginning February 9, we will loan each participant a kit that includes motors, a control board, a hot glue gun, and other building materials. When you register for the challenge, you will select the how you prefer to obtain the challenge kit and we will contact you with the details for picking up your kit.
Pick up locations include the Evanston Public Library, 3rd Floor Help Desk and the front desk at the Robert Crown Library Branch. If you are not able to pick up your kit from the library, please use the Help Form below to contact us. We will work to get a kit to you, typically by delivering the kit to your child’s school.
Need Help? Have a Question?
Submit your question via the button link below. We’ll respond with an answer in the FAQ Answers within 12 hours.
When is my cardboard game due?
The challenge begins Monday, February 12. You have eight weeks to design, construct and test your game, so take your time to create a fun and exciting game and earn as many prize tokens as possible. You must submit your final project before 8:00 pm on Sunday, March 31, 2024.
How do I submit my cardboard game
Submitting your game is simple. Take a video of your game in action and submit it using the form below.