Red Trunk Project

Teaching kids from a young age about other cultures, unfamiliar traditions and heritages different from their own is paramount in their young education. Not only does this cultivate their curiosity about the world, inspire wanderlust and an eagerness to learn, but it also helps shape their character to be understanding for other people who may look, sound or act different than them.

The Red Trunk Project is a growing organization looking to better children’s understanding of the world around them through fun and interactive lessons. In order to build a red trunk, a team of anthropologists, educators, photographers, art curators, videographers, ethnographers and experts throughout the archive field explore different destinations around the globe. On each trip, experts collect key items to bring back to be added to a red trunk of that chosen destination. From audio and video to bowls, handmade toys and household items, each box tells a story about another culture.

Photo: Dinatemraz | Dreamstime

Each red trunk consists of tangible items from somewhere around the world and a curated lesson plan and ethnography lesson on one specific destination. Once the trunk is filled with items specific to one culture, the box is replicated into different languages and shipped and shared with young students all over the world.

Schools and groups then receive the curated box and go through its contents together, sifting through the different items while learning all about a new culture with hands-on artifacts and fun activities.

Photo: Wavebreakmedia Ltd | Dreamstime

Once the class fully explores the red trunk, they pack it up and ship it back, but can stay connected to the destination online and through the program’s app. Still in its development phase, the Red Trunk Project is an organization on the rise looking to change our classrooms one shipment at a time.

Much like a box subscription, schools and groups will be able to choose how many boxes they would like to receive each year or quarter. Check out the site for more information and ways to get involved and help spread the word.