Ask a child what they like most about school, and you might hear answers like recess, art class, or lunch. Ask what they’d change, and you’ll get a flood of imaginative, insightful, and sometimes hilarious suggestions—less homework, more naps, better food, and perhaps the occasional slide instead of stairs. But underneath the playfulness lies a powerful idea: What if we actually let kids help design schools?
It’s a question more educators and researchers are starting to take seriously. Schools have traditionally been built for students but not with them. What could change if we truly listened to the people who spend the most time in classrooms?
Let’s explore what schools might look like if kids were in charge of their design—and why incorporating their voices may not be as far-fetched as it sounds.
Learning Spaces: Flexible, Fun, and Comfortable
Children often complain about how rigid and uninspiring traditional classrooms feel—rows of desks, white walls, fluorescent lighting. When given the opportunity to reimagine these spaces, kids tend to prioritize comfort and creativity.
They suggest:
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Movable furniture so they can work in groups or alone depending on their mood.
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Colorful walls and murals to make the space feel alive.
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Soft lighting and natural light instead of harsh overhead lights.
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Cozy corners with bean bags, rugs, and pillows where they can read, think, or take a break.
Many modern education models are catching on. Flexible seating arrangements and project-based classrooms are already being implemented in schools like those featured in the OECD’s Innovative Learning Environments project, which profiles learning environments that involve students in shaping their spaces.
Learning Methods: More Projects, Fewer Tests
Children are naturally curious. When asked how they’d prefer to learn, most suggest hands-on, interactive experiences rather than passive lectures or memorization.
A kid-designed curriculum might include:
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More experiments, art projects, and real-world problem-solving
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Fewer standardized tests
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Learning by doing—like building a solar oven in science class or creating a short film in English
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Cross-subject learning, such as combining math and music or history and drama
They want education that feels meaningful, not mechanical.
This mirrors concepts from constructivist education, where learning is student-centered and built through active engagement. Schools such as those inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach already encourage this model by giving children a voice in how and what they learn.
Schedules and Structure: Time That Makes Sense
One of the first things students would change? The schedule.
Kids often argue for:
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Later start times, acknowledging their own sleep cycles. Science supports them—The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that middle and high schools start after 8:30 a.m.
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Longer breaks and recess to recharge their brains
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More time for creativity and less time jumping from one subject to the next
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Time for independent exploration, whether it’s reading a book, learning to code, or practicing an instrument
The current school structure, modeled after industrial-age priorities, often clashes with how kids actually function best. Giving them more control over their day could lead to better engagement and mental health.
Subjects That Matter to Them
What kids want to learn isn’t just math and grammar. They ask for:
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Life skills like cooking, budgeting, or fixing a flat tire
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Mental health education, including stress management and emotional intelligence
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Digital literacy, not just how to use a computer, but how to stay safe and smart online
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Social issues like climate change, racism, and equality—because they care about the world
Children often show a deep awareness of real-world challenges and a desire to do something about them. Letting them choose more of what they learn could help them feel both seen and empowered.
Technology: Tools, Not Distractions
While adults often worry about screen time, kids tend to see technology as a tool—not a toy. They suggest:
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Using tablets and laptops for research, writing, and presentations
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Gamifying lessons to make learning fun (think Minecraft for geometry or coding games)
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Virtual field trips to museums, zoos, or even outer space
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Online collaboration with other classrooms around the world
They’re digital natives, and they want schools to reflect that—while also setting healthy boundaries.
Platforms like Khan Academy, Code.org, and Scratch are already making it easier for students to learn through interactive, student-driven platforms. Schools could learn a lot by incorporating more of these into everyday instruction.
Relationships: Respect and Kindness First
When kids talk about what makes school great (or miserable), it often comes down to people.
They want:
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Teachers who listen and care
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Respectful communication between students and adults
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Spaces to talk about emotions and get support
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Freedom to express themselves without judgment
Building a positive school culture, where students feel safe, respected, and valued, is often more important to them than any new gadget or fancy classroom design.
This aligns with programs like Responsive Classroom, which focus on social-emotional learning and student empowerment.
Food, Recess, and Well-being: The Overlooked Essentials
Kids never forget to bring up food. They want:
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Healthier, tastier options
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Choices that reflect different cultures
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Access to snacks when they’re hungry, not just during “snack time”
They also want recess every day, regardless of age or grade. Movement, fresh air, and unstructured playtime are crucial for their development.
Many also express a desire for quiet zones, nap rooms, and mental health support, showing a growing awareness of emotional well-being.
Why We Should Listen to Kids
Children aren’t just dreamers—they’re stakeholders. When we ask for their input, we teach them that their ideas matter. When we implement their ideas, we build better schools.
Research supports this. A UNICEF report on child-friendly schools found that environments co-designed with students lead to higher academic achievement, better attendance, and stronger community engagement.
Schools like Agora School in the Netherlands or Summerhill School in the UK already give students more freedom to shape their education—and the results are often remarkable.
Conclusion: From Dream to Blueprint
If kids designed schools, we might see classrooms full of color and movement, teachers who act more like mentors, and curriculums that prioritize both the mind and the heart. We’d see empathy and creativity given as much weight as test scores. We’d see education transformed from a place of compliance to one of curiosity.
It may not be realistic to hand over the blueprints entirely to children, but we should absolutely invite them to the table. After all, they’re the ones walking the halls every day—and their ideas might just be what education needs most.
