SHARJAH, UAE- Young participants aged 8–10 explored recycling and renewable energy by building their own model houses and windmills from recycled materials at the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026).
Held at the Discovery District, the ‘Cardbriks Windmill House’ workshop provided children with pre-cut recycled cardboard pieces to assemble a countryside house complete with a spinning windmill.
Participants assembled their models before using coloured pens to personalise their creations. From pink roofs to striped windmills, the children added their own imaginative touches.
“I used all my favourite colours, pink, purple and blue, on my house,” said Khulood, proudly presenting her model.
When asked what she enjoyed most about the workshop, Eleena said, “I loved making the windmill for my house!” as she gleefully spun her cardboard windmill.
Daniya, one of the workshop facilitators, explained that the activity was designed to introduce children to creative ways of reusing materials.
“With such an interactive session, we can introduce kids to the concept of recycling and educate them on renewable energy sources such as wind energy,” she said.
Salma, another facilitator, noted that the workshops had attracted between 20 and 30 participants, who enjoyed assembling and decorating their models.
“After learning all the concepts conveyed in the workshops, participants can take their self-made sculptures home,” she said.
By the end of the session, each child had a personalised windmill house to take home, demonstrating how recycled materials can be transformed into something new.
Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2026) runs from November 4 to 15 at Expo Centre Sharjah under the theme ‘Made of Stories’, with the Sultanate of Oman as Guest of Honour. The fair brings together 3,212 publishers and exhibitors from 126 countries, showcasing more than 1.7 million titles. Its programme features 1,500 cultural, creative and artistic events, with 106 guests from 25 countries.
