By now you’ve probably heard about Caine and his arcade. A 9-year-old boy from east LA with an incredible amount of drive, determination, and not the least of all, creativity, who spent all summer fashioning a cardboard arcade in his dad’s used auto parts store. His imagined cardboard arcade became a reality thanks to his first customer, a filmmaker that, by chance stopped into the store.
Caine’s Arcade, seen worldwide, elicited an overwhelming amount of public support and has since inspired the creation of the Imagination Foundation, formed by the creative team behind the short film. The non-profit’s mission is to help find, foster, and fund creativity and entrepreneurship in kids.
Oct. 6 marks the one-year anniversary that customers lined the street, eagerly awaiting the chance to play at Caine’s Arcade, giving Caine the best day of his life. To celebrate the anniversary and encourage creativity worldwide, the Imagination Foundation is inviting the world to participate in a day of play. The first annual Global Cardboard Challenge asks participants to build anything awesome out of cardboard, recycled materials, and of course, a little imagination.
To date, there are more than 200 events planned in over 30 countries. Minnesota schools are taking part in the festivities, with events planned at Westwood Intermediate School and Mounds Park Academy. The Global Cardboard Challenge serves as a kick-off fundraiser for the Imagination Foundation.
If you aren’t able to host or attend a sanctioned event, I encourage you to take a cue from Caine, and use this day to foster your own creativity.