What is Imagine?
Imagine is a free, eight-week, curriculum-aligned arts-based program for primary schools that explores the power of a child’s imagination.
Over the last 40 years, Make-A-Wish Australia has created unforgettable wishes for children with critical illnesses, like making unicorns fly, sending kids to the moon to and bringing dinosaurs back from extinction.
Now we’re sharing that joy in the classroom.
Inspired by the incredible imagination and resilience of wish kids, the Imagine program helps students build resilience and empathy through hands on creative activities. Throughout the program, students work on fun, artistic projects, while learning what it means to grant life-changing wishes.
Learn more about the program’s flexibility and its alignment with the Australian Curriculum below.
Inside the program
Students will dive into interactive, hands-on creative activities using our Imagine kits guided by the program, they will develop their own imaginative craft projects that promote empathy, strength, kindness and understanding for children facing a critical illness. The program encourages students to showcase their projects to inspire and engage their wider school community in the impact of a wish.
Our flexible online resources include eight comprehensive lesson plans, student worksheets, engaging videos, and ongoing support
from the Make-A-Wish team. The program can be tailored to suit your school’s needs, and delivered online.
The benefits of teaching Imagine
Inspires empathy & kindness in every student
Sparks creativity & self-expression
Fully curriculum aligned & classroom-ready
Develops future Wishmakers
A flexible, repeatable program that grows with your school
Curriculum alignment
Imagine supports the Australian Curriculum’s Critical and Creative Thinking capability.
Through hands-on craft projects, students develop skills in generating ideas, planning and reflecting, problem-solving, and expressing themselves creatively.
Activities encourage students to explore different perspectives,
make connections, and communicate their ideas with confidence - all while fostering empathy, resilience and collaboration, which sit at the hear of critical and creative thinking.
- Generating ideas: Encouraging students to imagine, explore and play with possibilities.
- Thinking imaginatively and creatively: Using creative expression in art, storytelling, role play, and problem-solving.
- Reasoning and reflecting: Beginning to explain their ideas, make choices and consider the outcomes of their decisions.
- Collaborating: Sharing ideas, listening to others and considering different perspectives in a supportive, creative environment.
Imagine can also be adapted for preschool-aged children.
Experience Imagine
Lesson plans
Designed to spark creativity, empathy, and purpose in the classroom, the Imagine lesson plans are curriculum-aligned and easy to deliver. Through art, storytelling, and reflection, students use their imagination and learn how they can make a meaningful difference for children facing critical illness.
Craft activities
Reflection sheets
Register your school
We can’t wait for your school to unlock the power of its imagination!
Imagine is flexible, fun and easy to run, so get started today.
Fill out the form below, and we’ll reach out with all the support, resources and extra
rewards your students need to spark their imaginations.
Spark your students imagination...
This free colouring activity is a simple way to spark creativity and
bring a wish inspired moment of joy into the classroom!
FAQs
What is the IMAGINE program?
IMAGINE is a FREE, curriculum-aligned program for primary schools that uses hands-on creative activities to teach empathy, resilience, and the power of imagination. Students also learn what it means to make wishes come true for children with critical illnesses.
Are there any costs for the program?
No, IMAGINE is completely free for participating schools.
If your school would like to make an optional donation to support wish kids and their families, it’s greatly appreciated and helps children with critical illnesses. For more opportunities to donate or get involved with School Fundraising opportunities please contact Steph via schools@makeawish.org.au
Who can participate?
The program is designed for primary school students, from Kindergarten to Year 4, but activities can be adapted for both younger or older students depending on your school’s needs.
How long does the program run?
IMAGINE is a flexible eight-week program, with the option to extend or adapt to suit your school’s timetable and learning requirements.
What resources are provided, and do you need special equipment?
Schools receive online downloadable learning resources, including lesson plans, student worksheets, videos and activity guides.
Special equipment is not needed, but classroom kits with materials for hands-on projects will be available in the future.
How does the program align with the Australian Curriculum?
IMAGINE supports the Critical and Creative Thinking Capability. Throughout the program, students develop skills in creativity, problem-solving, empathy, and collaboration.
How can students share what they’ve learned?
Students can showcase their creative projects and share reflections in the school library, their classroom or during class assemblies and engage their school community in activities that highlight the impact of wishes and the power of imagination.
Free video resources and wish stories are available on our website and can be shared with your school community.
For further information, and if you’d like to invite a Make-A-Wish representative to speak at your school , please email -our team at schools@makeawish.org.au
Can the program be delivered online?
Yes, all resources are digital-friendly and activities can be adapted for online or blended learning environments.
Why do I need to register/enrol my school?
When you register, our Schools Program Manager will use your school’s information to connect with you about a special program support package, that helps you continue deliver IMAGINE with extra benefits.
Benefits include:
- Updates on new IMAGINE resources and lesson plans
- Future reports showing how students are developing creativity, empathy and understanding of wishes
- Access to program rewards and recognition for participating schools
- A classroom pack of IMAGINE activity materials
- Ongoing support from a dedicated Make-A-Wish Program Manager
- Opportunities to connect with Make-A-Wish guest speakers and special events
…and much more to inspire your students and make more wishes come true for critically ill kids!
Who can I contact for support?
For assistance, please contact us at schools@makeawish.org.au or call 1800 032 260.
