Design Camp: Sustainable Prop Making for 8 to 11 year olds

In this engaging workshop, children will explore iconic props from films, theatre, and TV shows they enjoy, discovering how these objects shape storytelling and captivate their audiences.

Artist and facilitator Madeleine Famurewa will introduce her work and practice as a prop maker for performance and set design to the group. Participants will then research and sketch props through drawing and collage to inspire their own imaginative props for performance.

This workshop will include a short visit to our latest exhibition, Wes Anderson: The Archives, where participants will discover a fascinating range of props, puppets, and objects that make Wes Anderson’s films so distinctive in style and spirit.

Following their visit, the children will create their own props using technical drawing and scale, and learn how to translate their drawings into three dimensional objects at any scale, bringing their ideas to life using sustainable materials.

Finally, all the props created during this workshop will be brought together and photographed under theatrical lighting, accompanied by sound effects to show how they transform. Participants will also have the opportunity to present their creations to the adults.

Learning outcomes:

• How to tell a story using props

• Insight into the career of a prop maker

• Basics of scale and technical drawing

• Making props out of sustainable and waste materials

Please note:

• This workshop will include a short visit to the Wes Anderson: The Archives exhibition

• Participants can bring any interesting cardboard or other recycling that is easy to cut, if they want to use it for their props

• This workshop is suitable for children aged 8–11. All participants must be dropped off and picked up by an adult. You can find additional information in the sections below

• Capacity is limited, we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment

• All equipment and materials will be provided, but participants will need to bring a packed lunch

• All participants must be dropped off and picked up by a parent, carer or responsible adult. A member of our team will greet you on arrival and sign participants in. 

• We ask all bookers to provide an emergency contact name and number. Please ensure this person is available for the duration of the session. 

• Workshop content is tailored to a specific age group. Participants outside the advertised age range may find the session less accessible or engaging. 

• If there’s anything we can do to support your child’s participation, whether around mobility, communication, sensory processing, emotional regulation or anything else, you’re welcome to let us know at checkout. Sharing access needs is completely optional and helps us prepare the session in the most inclusive way. 

• This session has space for up to 20 participants. It will be led by one or two facilitators, with a typical adult-to-child ratio of 1:10. 

• If your child receives additional support in their education setting, you are welcome to bring a supporting adult with them at no additional cost. Please note that we are not able to provide one-to-one support ourselves. 

• If you have any questions or want to discuss specific access requirements, please get in touch with the team at DMAcademy@designmuseum.org

Background image by Matthew Kaltenborn.