Welcome to the community!

Using our signature Play-Learn-Build approach, FutureTime transforms learning into a joyful, hands-on adventure.

Play: Give students the freedom to explore our Wonder Widgets with some time for unstructured play, sparking curiosity and creativity.
‍Learn: Our FutureTime Lessons nurture expansive thinking, with a healthy dose of silliness sprinkled throughout.
‍Build: Each lesson comes with its own Design Challenge, where students can use the provided Build materials to bring their ideas to life through hands-on creation.

Browse our resources below for tips on how to use our content with your class!

Play Resources

What comes with the Wonder Widgets?

Each Wonder Widget Box comes with:

2 You Choose Books (You Choose 1 & You Choose 2)
16 Wonder Widget Cards
25 3D-Printed Fidgets
1000 Magnet Blocks
24 Trilobite Glasses
20 Balancing Birds
60 Magnet People
50 Magnet Balls
4 Metal Sheets
1 Magnetic Field Sheet

Check out the Wonder Widgets Catalog for more details on each object and how they can be used.

How do I use the Wonder Widgets?

Wonder Widgets are designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and open-ended exploration. There is no single “right” way to use them.

That said, we recommend starting with 15–30 minutes of unstructured Play before a FutureTime lesson. This gives students space to explore materials, test ideas, and follow their curiosity in a low-pressure environment. It’s also a great way to reset energy and prepare for deeper thinking.

You can also use Wonder Widgets during transitions, brain breaks, or as part of Build activities.

How long do you recommend I set aside for “Play?”

We recommend 15–30 minutes, but Play is flexible and can fit into any part of your day:

5 minutes → quick reset or transition
15–30 minutes → ideal exploration time
45+ minutes → deeper creative builds

Adjust based on your schedule and your students’ needs.

Learn Resources

How do I use the FutureTime playground with my class?

FutureTime is designed to spark discussion, imagination, and big thinking.

You can:

Facilitate as a whole-class experience on a smart board
Break students into small groups for collaborative thinking
Let students explore independently on devices

Each activity can be used as:

A full lesson
A warm-up
A transition activity

There is no single pathway—follow your students’ curiosity.

How should I deliver the FutureTime lesson?

FutureTime lessons are built around questions and dialogue. As you guide students through the experience, pause often and invite them to share what they think. Encourage multiple perspectives, unexpected ideas, and creative reasoning.

There’s no single “correct” path. These lessons are about imagining possibilities and connecting ideas, so feel free to linger on whatever areas resonate with your class and make the presentation your own!

How much time does the lesson take?

Most FutureTime lessons take about 15–30 minutes, depending on how much discussion you invite.

Take-Home

Build Resources

How do I set up for the Build?

Think of your classroom as a mini design studio.

Set up a shared materials table with all containers easily accessible. Larger materials can be placed nearby. Students can gather what they need and bring it back to their workspace.

Place tools like glue guns, scissors, and markers at designated work stations to encourage movement and sharing.

How should I facilitate the Design Challenge?

A simple flow:

Introduce the challenge and spark excitement
Let students explore the materials
Have them sketch or plan using the Design Worksheet
Build, test, and improve

Encourage iteration; students don’t need to get it “right” the first time. Trying, adjusting, and reimagining is part of the process.

How long do you recommend we set aside for “Build?”

Build time typically takes:

30–45 minutes for creating
+10–15 minutes for cleanup

We recommend planning for 45–60 minutes total.

Some students will finish quickly; others may want extended time—both are great.

How should I clean up and store the Build Materials at the end of the activity?

Cleanup works best when it’s part of the routine.

Set aside 10–15 minutes and give students ownership. For example, assign each student or group a specific material to collect and return to its container.

Materials can be reused for future challenges or added to a general creative materials bin.

How should I have my students reflect on and/or share their work?

Reflection helps students connect their ideas to the bigger picture.

You can:

Use the Sharing Worksheet
Have students present in pairs or small groups
Host a quick “design showcase”
Create short infomercials or demos

These moments help students see themselves not just as designers and builders, but as thinkers shaping possible futures!

Wonder Widgets

You Choose Books

Wonder Widget Cards

3D-Printed Fidgets

Magnet Blocks

Trilobite Glasses

Balancing Birds

Magnet People

Magnet Balls

Metal Sheets

Magnetic Field Sheet

Browse our resources below for tips on how to use our content with your class!

Play Resources

Learn Resources

My lesson printables

Wildlife Bridges

Design Worksheet

Sharing Worksheet

Take-Home

Cloud Cities

Design Worksheet

Sharing Worksheet

Take-Home

Artifacts of Tomorrow

Design Worksheet

Sharing Worksheet

Take-Home

Headphones

Design Worksheet

Sharing Worksheet

Take-Home

Micro-Homes

Design Worksheet

Sharing Worksheet

Take-Home

Glasses

Design Worksheet

Sharing Worksheet

Take-Home

Comfort Companions

Design Worksheet

Sharing Worksheet

Take-Home

Rooftop Greenhouses

Design Worksheet

Sharing Worksheet

Take-Home

Garbage Trucks

Design Worksheet

Sharing Worksheet

Take-Home

Playgrounds

Design Worksheet

Sharing Worksheet

Take-Home

Insects

Design Worksheet

Sharing Worksheet

Take-Home

Space Startups

Design Worksheet

Sharing Worksheet

Take-Home

Build Resources