Our Approach

Beyond Textbooks: Where Creativity Meets Curiosity

We are an open-ended world of wonder where history, art, and culture become playful tools for kids to explore identity, creativity, and the world around them. Inspired by diverse intelligences, we honor how every child learns—through rhythm, movement, logic, visuals, nature, storytelling, or emotion.

The Owtofbox Difference

Empowering Confident, Curious Thinkers

We don’t teach to fit children into systems; we help them design their own systems of thinking. Our workshops aren’t about memorizing facts—they’re about building connections: between the past and present, imagination and reality, head and heart. When kids learn to create without fear, explore without boundaries, and express without judgment, they grow into confident, curious thinkers who see the world with both open eyes and open minds

Meet the Founders

Founder I Conservation Architect

Poornima Balakrishnan

Poornima is passionate about making history interactive, imaginative, and fun for young minds. A trained conservation architect with a love for storytelling, she brings together her expertise in heritage, design, and education to create playful, art-based ways for children to connect with the past.

Inspired by a childhood steeped in art, architecture, and historical curiosity, she founded Owtofbox to turn learning into an adventure — where every monument has a story, and every child is invited to discover it.

The Guiding Light

Founder I Versatile Artist

Rama Balakrishnan

The very essence of Owtofbox's imaginative approach is rooted in Rama Balakrishnan, the extraordinary woman who inspired Poornima's vision and helped make sense of a world where art and play intertwine. Decades ago, Rama was already fostering a vibrant space for children to explore art and craft from her own home, long before others recognized its potential.

A dedicated artist with 50 years of experience, Rama's artistic reach is vast – from the precision of Tanjore paintings to the freedom of landscapes and portraits. She's also known for her daring, playful art projects, like crafting glass coffins or designing sets for children's plays. Her unique world transformed the lives of many children in her neighborhood in the 1990s, nurturing their creativity. Even today, Rama embodies limitless imagination, effortlessly transforming a simple cardboard box into a magical tent or a whimsical "three little pigs" house. Her unyielding imagination and joy in play are the timeless foundation of Owtofbox.

Story behind Owtofbox

Owtofbox was born from a passion for making history and learning fun for children. As educators, conservationists, and creators, we saw a gap in how young minds engage with the past—history was often seen as a list of dates and facts, rather than an exciting journey of discovery.

We wanted to change that narrative. Owtofbox is our effort to blend storytelling, hands-on activities, and interactive play to make history, art, and culture an immersive experience for kids. Whether through educational board games, DIY kits, workshops, or school collaborations, we create learning experiences that spark curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.

We believe that when children see, touch, and experience history through play, they develop a deeper connection with the world around them. That’s why our products and programs are designed to step beyond textbooks—helping kids build, play, explore, and think outside the box!