What is Destination Imagination?

Destination Imagination (DI) is a problem-solving and creativity competition. Teams of three to seven students spend months developing a unique solution to a “Team Challenge”, which they present as a 5–10 minute skit at a tournament. They also compete in an “Instant Challenge”, an improv-style task given to them on the spot.

The Golden Rule: 100% Kid-Created! The heart of DI is that all work must be done entirely by the team members. From the script writing and costume design to the engineering and construction, every idea and execution comes from the kids. This builds true resourcefulness, as adults are not permitted to assist with the solution.

Why do DI?

DI develops essential life skills, including:

  • Creative Problem-Solving: Teams are rewarded for “outside the box” thinking and innovative solutions.

  • Project Management: Students must map out requirements, manage a budget, and hit deadlines.

  • Resourcefulness & Discipline: Because it is entirely student-led, kids learn to rely on their own skills and persistence.

  • Teamwork & Conflict Resolution: Members must brainstorm collectively, leverage each other's strengths, and navigate disagreements to reach a final goal.

  • It’s Fun! Kids get to explore their specific interests, whether that’s storytelling, acting, set building, or technical engineering.

The Challenge Experience

1. Team Challenges (The Skit)

Teams select one category at the start of the year and prepare an 8 minute skit. Each category has specific skit rules and emphasizes different skills. The kids work throughout the year to brainstorm ideas, write their skit, build props and devices, and put the skit together.

  • Some categories like Technical and Engineering focus on a main built device, while Fine Arts, Service Learning, and Scientific focus more on the storytelling and key sets and costumes.

  • Improvisational is another option where the teams perform an improved performance rather than a preprepared skit with built materials. This is great for kids who like improv and can be less demanding.

  • Rising Stars (K–2nd grade): A non-competitive introductory challenge specifically for younger learners.

2. Instant Challenges

At the tournament, teams are moved to a room and given a surprise task to solve in 5–10 minutes. These challenges test quick critical thinking and teamwork under pressure. They can be task-based (building a structure), performance-based (acting out a prompt), or a combination of both.

Time and Financial Commitment

  • Practices: Set by the Team Manager (parent coach). Typically, teams meet for 60–90 minutes once a week from late fall through February/March. Meetings often become more frequent as the tournament approaches.

  • Cost: Usually $100–$200 per student for the year (covers registration and materials).

Volunteer Coaches: Become a Team Manager!

DI is a volunteer-led program. The most critical role is the Team Manager (TM).

Why consider being a Team Manager?

  • Guaranteed Placement: Your child is guaranteed a spot on a team. We often have more interested kids than available coaches.

  • Total Flexibility: You set the practice schedule and location (usually your home).

  • Front-Row Seat: You get to witness the incredible growth and "lightbulb moments" of the kids throughout the year. It’s also great to get to know well a group of kids in your child’s grade.

What does a TM do? You act as a facilitator, not a director. You host the meetings, set the agenda, and ask probing questions to keep the kids on track. You cannot help them build, write, or fix their project. You can also co-coach with another parent to share the responsibility.

Do I need special skills? No. We provide a training and resources. Whether you prefer a highly structured environment or a "learn as you go" approach, we have the tools to support you.

General Parent Volunteer Needs

Wilmette DI and Illinois state DI are all volunteer-run. All families are required to fill a volunteer role, most of which are working a shift at the tournaments.

Tournament Info

  • Regional Tournament: Usually held in the northern suburbs in late February or early March. All teams participate. Last year it was February 21, 2026.

  • State Tournament: Usually held in the Chicago suburbs in March or early April. All teams third grade & up are invited. Last year it was March 21, 2026.

  • Global Finals: qualifying teams can go to a large competition in May.

  • Tournament Logistics: Teams are given a 1-2 hour time slot. Most teams stay around and watch other teams, as well as attend the end of day awards ceremony.

  • Managing Expectations: Because DI is 100% kid-led, the final products are often "scrappy" and unpolished. This is intentional! The value lies in the skills the kids developed while building it themselves, rather than the perfection of the props.

  • Teams Compete in Age Groups:

    • Rising Stars: Grades K–2 (Non-competitive; teams receive feedback but are not ranked).

    • Elementary: Grades 3–5

    • Middle: Grades 6–8

    • Secondary: Grades 9–12

How to Get on a Team & More Info

Information Sessions. We encourage everyone to attend an information session, which we host in May and at the start of the school year. Sign up for an info session here.

Forming Teams Steps

  1. Find a Coach. Teams are formed around the parent coaches. The best way to start is to consider being a coach yourself, either solo or with another parent co-coach. If you are not able to coach, we encourage you to reach out to other parents to see who may be interested in coaching. We have example Email/Text Templates that may be helpful in finding coaches.

  2. Form the Team. The team manager takes the lead in compiling their team. We recommend teams be kids all in the same grade to be at a more similar ability level. For forming a team, we suggest starting by reaching out to parents of kids in the school and grade for the team. Some team managers form a team with kids they know, while some do a broader message to see which kids/parents are most interested. For team managers looking to fill spots, we will share the list of individuals who register they are interested and are looking for a team.

    Team Managers are welcome to use our Email/Text Templates to help you invite other parents and kids to join your team.

    Recommended Team Sizes:

  • Grades K–2: 3–5 students.

  • Grades 3+ (New Teams): 4–6 students.

  • Grades 3+ (Experienced Teams): 5–7 students.

  • DI rules have a maximum of 7 kids on a team, though we recommend a little bit smaller teams for younger and new teams.

  1. Registration Form: Once the teams are formed, they fill out the Wilmette DI registration form. If your child has been placed on a team, please complete this team registration form.

Other Resources

  • Interested but don’t have a team for your child? Fill out our "Interested Student" form, which we share with Team Managers looking to fill spots. We still also encourage you to ask around to see if you can recruit a parent coach for a team.

  • Recruitment Tools: See our Email/Text Templates to help you invite other parents and kids to join your team.

  • Wilmette DI Contact Info: DIWilmette@gmail.com