Criaturas Infinitas (Infinite Creatures) is a Spanish organization with a noble goal: Get kids to play and create physical things using non-digital means. Led by designers Eva Gordo and Fernanda Tenorio, the organization has developed a series of connectors that turn pool noodles into structural and gestural elements.

The organization has set up a free installation in Madrid this month, Universo Criaturas (Universe of Creatures) where kids can engage with the system directly. Hosted at the Matadero Madrid, an arts and cultural center, the installation is divided into three areas, to meet the needs of children and families at different skill levels and ages:

Villa Calma (calm town) is a quiet space where big ideas are formalised on a small scale. Here the building blocks are smaller than in the other areas to encourage the development of fine motor skills.

Secondly, 'Living Corner' is an atelier for inventing shelters and inhabiting new worlds. In this area, participants can design and inhabit their own structures using large pieces.

Finally, the 'Creatures Laboratory' is an area for researching new creatures, where extraordinary creatures can be brought to life, costumes can be created and characters can be invented with a mirrored catwalk to meet them.

[Our work], which is constantly evolving, continues its research by understanding play as a way of inhabiting the world with wonder and creativity, fundamental for development and growth, with the intention of recovering it in the public space and in everyday life. Criaturas Infinitas focuses on both children and adults, seeking a curious view of transformation and creative fun, and promoting public, inclusive and diverse play contexts.

You can learn more about the organization here.