City of Oulu – Finland
Co-Design Lab Engages Families in Creative Sustainability Workshop
Our Hintta early childhood education centre recently hosted a vibrant Co-Design Lab in collaboration with local families, bringing together around 75 participants for an afternoon of creativity, learning, and shared discovery. The workshop invited both children and parents to engage in hands-on activities inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Introducing the SDG Bots
To guide the experience, participants were welcomed by three playful characters representing key global goals:
- Pulipuli Bot – SDG 14: Life Below Water
- Luonto Bot – SDG 15: Life on Land
- Energia Bot – SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Designing for a Better Future
Each family was encouraged to design and construct a hat symbolizing a practical idea or action that could support one of these goals. The results were extraordinary: 25 creative hats were built, each reflecting unique insights and solutions.
To deepen the learning, nine children developed their own stories about how their hat designs could help advance the SDGs. Using iPads, the children brought these ideas to life through storytelling and imaginative thinking.
A Meaningful and Joyful Experience
The Co-Design Lab beautifully blended participatory design, storytelling, and sustainability education, fostering creativity, collaboration, and intergenerational engagement. Parents responded with great enthusiasm—many were just as excited as the children! Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with families appreciating the opportunity to explore sustainability through hands-on activities and to see what their children experience in their daily learning.
Event Video
Watch the presentation video: