Curiosity Club
Mon–Sat, 2–6 PM
Free
In Malayalam, English.
Inspired by MOSAIC
About the Sessions: Curiosity Club encourages children to learn through exploration rather than memorisation. Every session may introduce a different topic, from science experiments and nature to maths, crafts, problem-solving, communication, or everyday life skills. Children observe, ask questions, build, create, and learn together through hands-on activities.
What happened at Curiosity Club
LifSkool: Coping with Emotions
Local Government School | Std 5–7 | 19 boys Materials: LifSkills workbooks, completed “This Is Me” folders, whiteboard & markers, Find Your Happy by Emily Coxhead Space: Regular classroom with tables and benches Timing: 45 minutes available Tuesday was about self-awareness; by Thursday, we were ready to explore coping with emotions. Meeting the boys twice a week during this 5-week programme helps us build naturally on the previous session. We started by looking at their completed “This Is Me” folders and asking a few students to recap what self-awareness meant. To get everyone moving, we played “Do the Opposite.” “Stand up” meant stay seated, “hands up” meant hands down, and “happy” meant showing a sad face. We gradually added emotions into the game, which gave us a fun bridge into the topic. There were plenty of giggles and confused faces, and it was lovely to see the boys come alive. From there, we explored what emotions are, why we have them, and how they can show up in the body. We also talked about the difference between reacting immediately and taking a moment to respond. This time, we came prepared with whiteboard markers after missing them on Tuesday. Being able to write and draw ideas as we spoke made the discussion much easier to follow. We then introduced STAR as a simple coping process: Stop and notice → Take a breath → Acknowledge what you’re feeling → Respond As part of this, we practised STAR breathing. The boys held one hand up like a star and traced around it with the index finger of the other hand — breathing in as they moved up a finger, pausing at the top, and breathing out as they moved down. We used a few everyday situations to think about how taking that pause might help us choose what to do next. To close, we read Emily Coxhead’s Find Your Happy together — a gentle book about feelings and simple ways children can notice and respond to them. The boys were then asked to complete their workbook reflection at home and try the related activity with a family member. One of our main reflections was that we spoke more than we wanted to. When time is tight, explaining feels quicker, but it gives students less space to connect the skill to their own lives, share ideas and practise for themselves. Next time, we want to ask more, use simple role-play, and give the boys more time to share their own examples. We’re also still finding the best classroom rhythm. Even when we arrive on time, getting everyone together and settled can easily take five or ten minutes. A clearer arrival routine, visual prompts on the board and shorter activity blocks should help us protect more time for participation. A lively second session, plenty of laughs, and a useful reminder to keep the learning active and student-led.
Local Government School | Std 5-7 | 13 boys Materials: Kraft envelope folders, LifSkills workbooks, crayons, sketch pens, stationery kits Space: Regular classroom with students seated on benches Timing: 45 minutes available (60 minutes planned) LifSkool is Olimalar Foundation’s school-based life skills programme, helping young people build practical skills for everyday life. This week, we began a 5-week programme with our Std 5–7 boys from a local government school. This is one of the schools we already have an established partnership with, and continuing here allows us to build on the trust and relationships formed last year. It was lovely to walk into the classroom and see a few familiar faces — boys we had met in Std 5 last year, now in Std 6, a little taller, but still remembering us. For our first session, our main goal was simple: break the ice, re-establish our connection, and start exploring our first life skill — self-awareness. We started with a quick “This or That” game. As the classroom benches left very little room to move, we took the boys out into the corridor and asked them to stand in a line. We called out two choices at a time — for example, football or cricket, dogs or cats — and they moved left or right depending on their choice. It was a simple way for everyone to share something about themselves and notice where they were similar to or different from others. Once back inside, we introduced the boys to their LifSkills workbooks and introduced the LifSkool Promise. Rather than handing down a rigid list of rules, we read through the promise together — to show up, try, listen, share ideas respectfully, ask for help when needed, and participate fully. Every student signed their name, and a member of our team signed alongside them. Co-signing made the expectations feel shared, creating a sense of mutual respect right from day one. Next came their tools: an eco-friendly brown kraft folder equipped with crayons, a sketch pen, and a small stationery kit. The workbook gives them a place to reflect on what they do and learn, while the folder is something personal they can make their own and build on throughout the programme. Their first assignment, “This Is Me,” was to start decorating their folder with drawings, words, and symbols representing what they love, what they are good at, and what matters most to them. As our start was delayed, the boys only had about 15 minutes to sketch their ideas before packing the folders into their bags to complete at home. Day 1 also handed us a very practical field lesson: the classroom had a whiteboard, but no markers. We had planned to map out the activity visually on the board, so “bring whiteboard markers” went straight to the top of our prep list for Thursday. Our biggest takeaway was simple: creative, low-pressure activities made it easier to start conversations and begin getting to know the boys without putting anyone on the spot. It was a simple first session, but a lovely way to begin — and a grounding reminder to always work with the actual time, space, and resources we have on the ground.
Body percussion and group games get children moving together
The session included body percussion, movement, and group games that encouraged children to listen, respond, and participate together. The activities gave them a fun way to explore rhythm, coordination, attention, and teamwork.
Paper planes help children explore how things fly
The wings in Perfectly Norman became the starting point for a Curiosity Club activity about flight. Children explored the basic forces that help things fly, then made different paper planes and tested how changes in shape affected how far and how well they flew.
Olimalar and Thudippu discuss how to support children better
Aarthi from Olimalar Foundation and Anjali Krishnadas from Thudippu Dance Foundation met at aikyam Space to discuss how they can work together to bring out the best in children from the community. The conversation focused on understanding the children better and finding ways to support their learning, confidence, creativity, and participation through future activities.
A mural of sea and dance began on the walls
The walls of aikyam space began to transform with a new mural created by artist Mr. Krishnan Ghosh . Inspired by the sea and the movement of dance, the artwork brings colour, warmth, and a sense of identity to the space, making it more welcoming for everyone who visits.
Children built spaghetti towers and drew as a team
Children took part in two team-based life skills challenges. In the Spaghetti Tower, they used spaghetti, tape, string and a marshmallow to build the tallest free-standing tower they could. In Draw Together, they relied on observation and clear communication to recreate a picture as a team. Both challenges encouraged teamwork, communication, creativity and problem-solving through hands-on learning.
Another craft session for the children
Children enjoyed another craft session, exploring their creativity while learning through hands-on activities.
A craft session for children ran again
Children took part in a craft session that encouraged creativity, patience, and learning through hands-on activities.
Children made things from simple materials
Children participated in a craft session where they explored new ideas using simple materials. The activity encouraged creativity, patience, and learning through hands-on making.
Children drew and made things in the craft session
A craft session was conducted for children, giving them time to draw, create, and explore their ideas. The activity encouraged creativity and helped children express themselves through art.
Children pulled DNA out of a kiwi fruit
The science class explored cells and DNA, helping children understand how living things are built. As part of the session, students took part in a hands-on experiment to extract DNA from a kiwi fruit. The activity generated a lot of curiosity and questions, showing that practical experiments can make science easier to understand and more engaging for children.
Another day of craft with new ideas and materials
Children enjoyed another day of craft activities, experimenting with new ideas, materials, and designs.
Beading was shown as a possible way to earn
Children participated in a beading session, where they learned basic techniques while enjoying the creative process. The class also introduced the idea that such skills could become a livelihood opportunity for those interested in developing them further.
Children learned beading patterns and techniques
The beading session introduced children to different patterns, colours, and techniques in a fun and supportive environment. Through making their own creations, they practiced concentration, creativity, and fine motor skills while expressing their individual ideas.
Children worked out maths by doing, not memorising
Learning maths became a fun and engaging experience as children participated in interactive activities, discussions, and problem-solving exercises. The session encouraged curiosity, teamwork, and confidence, helping children understand concepts through participation rather than memorisation. By making learning enjoyable and hands-on, the class created a space where children could explore mathematics with enthusiasm and ask questions freely.
Children experimented in another hands-on craft session
Children spent time creating, experimenting, and learning through simple craft activities that encouraged imagination, focus, and hands-on creativity.
Thudippu started craft-making sessions for children
Thudippu has started craft-making sessions for children at the space, led by Shilpa VS . Through simple hands-on activities, children are getting a chance to explore creativity, learn new skills, and enjoy making things together in a fun and welcoming environment.
The children finished the rest of the crochet class
Children gathered again for the remaining crochet class, patiently learning knots, loops, and simple patterns together. The session was filled with curiosity, mindfulness, and joyful conversations.
Role play taught the children to work as a group
Through movement, role play, and expression, children gained the skills to work together as a group.
Children picked up their first crochet loops and knots
Children gathered for the crochet class and learned simple looping and knotting techniques using colourful yarn. The session became a calm and joyful space where they practiced patiently, helped each other, and slowly created with their own hands.
Children learned how air pressure works
Children gathered for the science class and learned about air pressure through simple examples and activities. In between, they enjoyed a fun game session that helped the learning to be more engaging.
Children mixed colours to see science at work
Students watched and took part in a simple experiment using colours. By mixing and observing, they learned how small changes can show important science concepts.
Children explored the brain through hands-on experiments
Children explored the brain and its different functions through simple, hands-on experiments. Learning became something to see and feel, making complex ideas easier to understand.
Students saw the laws of motion for themselves
The session was on the basic laws of motion — not as theory, but seen and felt firsthand. Students gathered with curiosity and excitement, preparing for their experiments.
The children's art exhibition filled the walls with colour
As the walls slowly filled with colour, the space transformed into something more than an exhibition. It became a place where children could feel seen, appreciated, and proud of what they had created.
Olimalar prepared its eighth children's art exhibition
Children's art exhibition and workshop is taking shape, as the Olimalar team prepares for its 8th event, creating a colourful space for children to express and share their art.
Twelve children explored gravity and electricity at science club
Twelve children from the community came together for the science club, spending time on games, conversations to get to know each other, and a simple session exploring how gravity and electricity work.
Nine children learned about the nervous system hands-on
Nine children from our community came together to learn about the human nervous system through simple explanations and hands-on activities.
What people said
Aarthi Veerupillai, founder of the Olimalar Foundation
“I realised how much I would have benefited from these lessons growing up.”