The Apple Machine is a creative project that brings children together to learn about food, design, and sustainability — through apples!
The project took place in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. About 90 children (ages 11–13) participated in workshops where they explored local apples, went on foraging walks, made recipes with apples, and helped design and build apple-processing tools. Together with different groups of children across Nordic we created a fun installation called “The Apple Machine”. The machine was showcased at public gatherings where people could taste apples, play, and learn. The children’s ideas, tools, and stories became part of the experience.
The project also emphasised reusing old or natural materials, and children documented their journey in their own languages. These stories were shared online to inspire others across the Nordic region.
You can learn more about the process here.
Concept sketch for ‘The Apple Machine’ 2024 by Prachi Patil
An apple-powered chain reaction, created by the group from Tonsenhagen Aktivitetsskole, Oslo, Norway.
Push, twist, launch! DIY apple picker tool in action at Linderud Gård.
Rolling, spinning, squishing — making tasty apple recipes at Tuve Fritidsgård, Gothenburg, Sweden.
The beauty of cause and effect — apple edition, by Iværksætter Akademiet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
The project received support from the Nordic Council of Ministers’ funding program, Volt, in 2024. It was also supported by Almost There, Tuve Fritidsgård, Ringön, Vegan Market Göteborg, Östergårdens Kolonilott, Österängens Konsthall, Linderud Gård, Tonsenhagen Aktivitetsskole, Iværksætter Akademiet, and Grønt Marked.