Our vision
Real-life learning through creative play
In uncertain times, children need more than knowledge; they need resilience, imagination, and the confidence to try new paths.
Play is how children experiment, problem-solve, and discover who they are. By embedding creativity into real-life learning, we help them practise skills they’ll use every day, from managing emotions to understanding money, from teamwork to eco-awareness.
Our fun projects nurture curiosity and encourage trial and error. They build emotional intelligence, empathy, and adaptability, qualities that help children thrive when the future feels unpredictable.
The UK Government Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report (2025) emphasises the need for a broad, balanced education that equips children with practical skills, resilience, and creativity to thrive in a changing world. ootiboo has been delivering many of these aspects for years.
ootiboo projects are free to schools, because every child deserves the chance to learn, play, and prepare for life.
Find out more by clicking on the sections below.
Our projects are designed for schools and for families at home. They support the freedom to explore and teach children there is no right or wrong way to express oneself, and that making mistakes and trying again are a natural part of the creative process.
Our inclusive projects are designed by expert in-house teachers and creatives to appeal to children of all abilities and backgrounds. The team’s experience ensures we can deliver relevant, high-quality projects to schools.
School‑based projects include clear National Curriculum links to make lesson planning easier, while our at‑home activities offer fun, accessible ideas for home educators and families.
Chris on a market stall at Sellindge Primary
ootiboo has delivered a wide range of free, real‑life learning workshops in schools, reaching thousands of students. Each workshop is designed and led by our team of expert educators and includes high‑quality, bespoke resources created specifically for the session. Workshops are offered on a first‑come, first‑served basis
Students at Peareswood Primary
Craft competitions are part of ootiboo's DNA. Our Easteroo, ootiBOO! and All Star projects have attracted thousands from around the world.
In 2026, we’re launching a brand‑new seasonal competition format. SpringCraft, SummerCraft, AutumCraft and WinterCraft will run back‑to‑back throughout the year, ensuring there’s always a chance to share your creativity and be in the running for a prize.
Our competitions are inter‑generational, open to all ages and locations, and designed to give participants as much creative freedom as possible.
Craft competitions for all ages
Creativity is essential for wellbeing and has been shown to positively impact emotional and cognitive child development. With the world changing and becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable, creative skills will play a major role in tackling the societal, environmental and technological challenges children face.
By teaching children how to use their creativity to make healthier choices, understand their emotions and collaborate with others, we equip them with important social skills that will help them succeed and support their mental health in an ever-changing world.
Healthy Unicorns workshop
Our eCo projects are designed to raise awareness of ecological issues like climate change and adaptation in a way that doesn't alarm the children, but does impress the importance of making a difference.
eCo: Connect links schoolchildren with the changemakers of today, in order to give them a voice and inspire them to be the changemakers of tomorrow.
Filming in Svalbard
All our projects, competitions, workshops and resources are free: there are no catches and no hidden fees, and for teachers there is no subscription. Signing up your school is completely free of charge.
We understand that schools struggle to support enrichment activities due to a lack of time, resource and money. We are helping to tackle the issue via the projects and resources we provide.
To deliver our services free-of-charge, we work with industry, the public sector and grant-funding bodies to fund ootiboo.
Students designing their imaginary worlds
Creativity exists in all of us; it makes us human. It’s the state of being in which we dare to be curious and explore our imagination, invent new ideas and stories, problem-solve and create something new. Creativity can be found in maths, physics and a host of other subjects that are not perceived as creative and, although we may not overtly see ourselves as an artist, musician or writer, we are all inherently creative.
Our approach to playful learning appeals to children and also provides the opportunity for adults to rediscover their own creativity.
eCo: Svalbard permafrost activity
Where next?
To continue your ootiboo journey, click on the tab below that is most relevant for you.
Have a look at the Projects we offer, and if you're interested sign up today - it's all free.
All we ask in return is that you take part in some of our projects and competitions, and share what you create. Your participation helps us demonstrate the impact of our work and secure the funding that keeps our projects free for everyone.
You can explore our free activities and competitions with the kids at home, or browse the image galleries to see the projects your child has taken part in at school.
If your child’s school isn’t yet an ootiboo school, why not tell them about us? There’s no cost for schools to join, no subscription, no catches. They gain access to our free resources and workshops, and your children benefit too.
We also invite you to join in with our inter‑generational craft competitions. Whether you’re looking to unwind or fancy a creative challenge, everyone is welcome.
To learn more about our story and the people behind ootiboo, visit our About Us page.
We are a CIC (Community Interest Company) dedicated to providing free creative, real‑life learning projects, because every child deserves the skills and confidence to navigate an unpredictable world.
Our work is made possible through CSR partnerships and philanthropic support from organisations and individuals who share our belief in nurturing practical, creative, and emotional skills in children.
There are many ways to support our mission, and we’d love to explore them with you.
