Program
KidsBuild!
Taking place each April, KidsBuild! offers young designers the opportunity to share their ideas as they explore the possibilities of architecture, planning, design, and construction. Entering its 32nd year of operation, and 11th year hosted at BSA Space, KidsBuild! provides a space for designers of all ages to be a part of making and creating.
Guided by volunteer design professionals, participants choose a construction site from a fictional city grid, design and build a building out of recycled materials, and are awarded a certificate of occupancy from the city building inspectors. Perfect for children aged 5–13, and welcoming designers of all ages, KidsBuild! allows children to formulate ideas about architecture and design as they build a city from the ground up.
KidsBuild!'s model city is built throughout the two-day event and remains on display to the public throughout the following week. With over 700 participants joining each year, KidsBuild! is the largest free, public event offered by the BSA and engages a large cohort of volunteer design professionals to engage with participants.
2024
Dates
April 6-7, 2024: KidsBuild! Day 1-2
April 8-12, 2024: KidsBuild! On Display
Location
BSA Space
290 Congress Street, Boston, MA
Cost
Free to attend
Registration
Advanced registration is required. Registration is posted each March for the annual April event.
Program
Type
Event
Public exhibition
Grade Levels
K-5, Children and Families
Timeframe
1992-present
Timeline
February: Volunteer interest and intake
March: Registration opens
April: KidsBuild!
Collaborators
Partners
KidsBuild! Planning Committee
Atlantic Wharf/BXP
Volunteers
Local architects and designers
Volunteers
Thank you to all 97 KidsBuild! volunteers for joining us and helping to make this year's KidsBuild! happen. For future volunteer opportunities, bookmark the BSA Volunteer page.
Support
Thank you to those who have generously supported this year's program, including Inpro, Flour Bakery, Goody Clancy, Perkins Eastman, Plymouth Coffee Company, and a whole host of individual donors supporting through supply and material donations.
For those interested, there are three ways to support KidsBuild!.
Material Donations
KidsBuild!'s buildings are constructed with recycled materials. Check out the donation guide with the list of materials needed. Material donations are accepted in the weeks leading up to the event.
Monetary Donations
KidsBuild! costs $25 per child to produce. To support KidsBuild! and other public programs, consider donating to the BSA Foundation.
Supply Donations
KidsBuild! is always in need of supplies to accommodate upwards of 800 participants each year. Check out KidsBuild!'s Amazon wishlist to purchase supplies.
K-12 Design Education
Additional questions about KidsBuild! or other K-12 Design Education programs? Feel free to reach out to Design Education and Engagement Manager, Taylor Johnson, [email protected].
