We saw a gap between many of the skills kids are taught in traditional education and the skills they'll need to navigate the world confidently: communication, collaboration, critical thinking, resilience and knowing how to work things out with other people.
We also saw too many kids starting to lose their natural love of learning.
So we set out to build something that feels more like Pokémon or Zelda - but is intentionally designed to help kids practise those skills along the way.
One parent described CoLab as "Pokémon meets Sherlock Holmes". We're pretty happy with that.
Not quite.
From the moment the session starts, kids are inside a challenge - making decisions, talking to each other, and figuring things out together. There's no sitting and watching. No one lectures them.
We could give you a long list of skills. But we think it's more useful to think about what those skills look like in real life.
Over time, we want kids to be able to say things like:
None of that happens after one session. But every week gives kids another chance to practise. And over time, the things they have to think about doing can start to become habits.
Every challenge is designed to flex.
The same core experience can be made simpler, more complex or more open-ended depending on the age and confidence of the group. Our facilitators adapt too - stepping in more when younger kids need structure, and giving older or more experienced kids more space to wrestle with the problem themselves.
The aim isn't for every kid to experience the challenge in exactly the same way. It's for every kid to be stretched at the right level.
They don't need to be outgoing to thrive at CoLab. The format isn't about performing or being the loudest voice. Our facilitators are skilled at drawing out quieter thinkers and finding the ways they contribute best.
Many parents of shy kids tell us CoLab is where they first saw them speak up with real confidence.
CoLab welcomes different kinds of thinkers. Our facilitators have experience supporting neurodivergent kids, and we work with parents to understand how to best support each kid's individual needs.
If there's anything you think would help us support your kid, just let us know.
We run cohorts for ages 6–8, 8–11 and 12+.
We primarily group kids by age, experience and availability.
But age isn't everything. If you think your kid would be better suited to a different cohort - perhaps because they're particularly mature for their age - tell us. We'll work with you to find the best fit.
When kids first join CoLab, it's natural for them to look to a parent when they get stuck. If there's a technical problem, absolutely help.
But when the problem is part of the challenge, we'd encourage you to resist the temptation. Getting stuck is part of the experience.
The moment your kid works something out with their teammates - rather than having an adult solve it for them - is often where the most valuable learning happens.
So once they're set up, feel free to step away. They've got this.
No problem at all. The trial class is completely non-obligatory. If it's not the right fit, you'll know after one session - and we'll part as friends.
They're a big part of what makes CoLab, CoLab.
Our facilitators come from a range of backgrounds. Some are teachers. Some are curriculum designers. Some are executive coaches, mentors and game designers. We've intentionally built a team with different perspectives and areas of expertise, because we want our kids to encounter different ways of thinking too.
Most importantly, our facilitators really know the kids they work with.
They know who's obsessed with Minecraft, who plays football every weekend, who needs a bit more time before jumping into a conversation, and who sometimes needs to switch their camera off for five minutes and come back when they're ready.
They notice the small things. The joke that always gets a laugh. The topic that makes a kid light up. The moment someone who usually hangs back suddenly decides to lead.
Over time, they get to know the person behind the screen. In fact, some parents have asked our facilitators to write school referral letters because they know their kid so well.
That kind of relationship is a big part of CoLab. We want every kid to feel like there's an adult in the room who sees them, gets them, and is genuinely rooting for them.
Groups have a maximum of 12 kids, with two expert facilitators in every session.
This 12:2 ratio gives kids enough different personalities and perspectives to make collaboration interesting, while still allowing our facilitators to get to know each kid.
Yes. During enrollment, let us know which times work best for your family and we'll do our best to match your kid with a suitable cohort.
If your availability changes, the group isn't feeling like the right fit, or you'd simply like to explore another cohort, talk to us.
We'll help you find another option where we can.
One hour per week, online, with the same cohort and facilitators.
You'll notice it - at the dinner table, in the car, at the playground!
You'll also receive group feedback after every session and individual personalized feedback every month. We'll help you understand what your kid is developing, where they're growing, and how you can extend the learning at home.
As kids get older, their role at CoLab can change too.
Our Junior Facilitator Program gives experienced kids the chance to move from taking part in challenges to helping create and lead them.
They learn how to facilitate a group, design their own CoLab challenge for the next generation of kids, and take on real responsibility alongside our team. For kids who continue through the program, that journey can eventually lead to a paid internship at CoLab.
It's a bridge between learning the skills and beginning to use them in the real world.
To enjoy the best CoLab experience, we suggest joining via your computer. Many of our features are limited on tablets and phones.
We know flexibility is important, so if you miss a session, we'll offer you a substitute class or a credit.
The facilitator will also send you a short email explaining what was covered in the session.
CoLab sessions do not run on major holidays based on the United States calendar, including Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, Easter, and the 4th of July.
Because our community is global, some holidays affect only part of the group. In those cases, we may run a different kind of social session so kids who are available can still spend time together and practise their CoLab skills in a new setting.
Privacy and safety are extremely important to us.
We have detailed safeguards in place around our technology, data and sessions, and our facilitators are trained in our safety and privacy practices.
You can read more about how we protect kids and families here.
Yes. Sessions may be recorded for quality assurance, improving CoLab, enforcing our Terms of Service and responding to reports of prohibited behavior.
We may also use recordings for marketing purposes only where the relevant consent has been provided.
If you don't want your kid's recordings used for marketing, you can indicate this in the Parent Consent Form or contact us at hello@collaborationlaboratory.com.
Choose your kid's age group, pick a time slot, and we'll match them with an existing cohort.
You can book in a free trial here.
$160 per month per kid, with a 25% sibling discount. Partial scholarships are available for families who need them.
Try for free before committing.
Have a friend that will enjoy CoLab? Reach out at hello@collaborationlaboratory.com and we'll give them a free trial! And if they sign up, you'll both get $40 towards your CoLab subscription.
Just have your friend mention you during their registration process.
We're sorry to hear this! We'd love a second chance, but if your mind is set, please write to us at hello@collaborationlaboratory.com and we'll do the rest.
To help us improve, please include any and all feedback in the cancellation email; alternatively, book in time with our team here.