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The Cardboard Carnival

Design & Build a Cardboard Carnival Game

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    • Tutorials
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    • Cardboard Carnival 2022
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Design & Build a Cardboard Game

Get Started

Your Cardboard Carnival game needs to include the four basic requirements. Other than that you have complete freedom to design your game.

We have identified four basic types of cardboard games to help inspire you. Feel free to duplicate, remix, or design a completely different game.

Demo Games

Ball Run Illustration
Ball Run
Ball Drop Illustration
Ball Drop
Ball Launcher Illustration
Ball Launcher
Pinball Illustration
Pinball Style
Click on each game to see a full-size image

You can find tutorials for many of the design elements highlighted in demo games below.

Game Element Tutorials

Obstacle Elements

  • Peg obstacle
  • Spinner obstacle
  • Stationary obstacle
  • Rubber Band Bumpers
  • Funnel
  • Multi-track switch
  • Mini-Catapult
  • Pinball Launcher

Motor Elements

  • Wire a Servo
  • Code a Positional Servo
  • Code a Rotational Servo
  • Starting Gate
  • Servo Gate
  • Servo Spinning Obstacle
  • Servo Swinging Obstacle
  • Servo 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

Workshops

We will offer a number of workshops throughout the challenge beginning on Saturday, February 26th.

Some workshops will feature limited specialty supplies. Workshop attendees will get the first chance to work with these materials, such as adding NeoPixel light strips or a speaker to their project. Earn a prize token for attending each workshop.

You must be registered for the challenge and also register for each workshop individually. Click on the links below to register for a workshop.

Dates

Sat., February 26

Wed., March 2

Sat., March 5

Sat., March 12

Wed., March 23

Thurs., March 24

Sat., April 2

Workshops

Get Started with Servo Motors

NeoPixel Light Strand

Laser Cut Parts

Sound & Speakers

Theme Workshop

Theme Workshop

Last Chance Workshop

Drop-in Help Hours

Each week will we host a drop-in workshop for you to get help with your game. Project mentors will be available to answer your all questions. You can also pick up extra supplies during this time.

Main Library – The Loft, 3rd floor

Thursdays, 4-5:30 pm

March 3rd – 31st

Robert Crown Library Branch

Wednesdays, 4-5:30 pm

March 2th – 30th

Help Form

You can also submit any questions through our Help Form. Please give us 1-2 days to respond. Someone may have already asked your question so be sure to check our FAQ page first.

Include a non-D65 email so we can contact you.

Evanston Public Library, District 65, and our partners are committed to creating safe and welcoming spaces, programs, and services for all Evanston youth.  Just like Evanston youth, the staff who work on the Citywide STEM challenges come from a variety of races, cultures, experiences, sexual orientation, and gender identities.  By being intentional with our staffing and program structure we hope that youth see themselves reflected and feel supported when they take part. 

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