Latest Adventures
Reflections from the PDC: The Dragonfly Funeral
By Zan Pop-Up Adventure Play has recently created its very own Playworker Development Course. It's a course where student playworkers have the space to nurture their instincts for playwork and learn more about the theory behind the practice. We encourage discussion,...
play = teaching and learning
Yesterday, my daughter Eliza (almost 4) and I went to work together. She had spent much of the morning quietly setting up an office in the small entranceway near our front door. When it was ready, she insisted I hurry. Mom! Don’t be late for work! We had a loose...
Empowerment Through Play: How Children Build Control and Comfort
Soon after the Boston Marathon attacks, I wrote a post called How Play Development Shapes a Child’s Voice. That day, my husband, our two young daughters and I spent the day in lockdown. This experience reminded me of how much solace we can find in play - not just...
How Two Small Piles of Woodchips Inspire Loose Parts Play
My family's favourite neighbourhood playground was recently completely redesigned. At one of the first community planning meetings, I mentioned that wood chips are some of the best “stuff” of play. Imagine the odd looks. Really? Who is this crazy person? Please remind...
Pop-Up at the Co-op
The Co-operative Academy of Manchester welcomed us back for another two days of creative Pop-Up Play at Co-op. The event transformed everyday spaces into vibrant hubs of child-led play, sparking joy and imagination for children and their families. "Look what I made"...
Press Release: Charity wins lottery, supports high streets with pop-up play shops
The new play charity, Pop-Up Adventure Play (UK) has been awarded a £10,000 grant from the Big Lottery Fund’s Awards-for-All programme. The money will enable the charity to explore the potential for a national scheme. It will help local groups establish “Pop-Up Play...
play = comfort
By Anna My family and I live just outside of Boston and, as usual, my husband and I took our daughters Alex (7) and Eliza (3) to cheer for the marathon runners at mile 24. We went home at 2:00 p.m. for a much-needed nap and, lucky for all of us, both girls were...
The Shop of Possibilities
By Zan The blog for the Shop of Possibilities has been one of my favourite blogs ever since I found it about a year ago. The updates aren't regular, but the photos are always fascinating, and gives a little glimpse into the life of a possible world. So imagine now how...
Playing Around the World
It's been a few weeks travelling for me, going around the world to help local groups advocate for children's play. First up was Il Foro de Desarrollo Infantil, or for my fellow English-speakers the Child Development Forum, in Bogota. Apart from the interviews with TV,...
A Week in the Life of a Pop-Up Person
By Zan The last 7 days have been a bit busy but in a really good way. I thought it might be nice to share some of the stuff we get up to on a day to day basis at Pop-Up Adventure Play as well as share some photos from my exciting week. Monday In the UK it was a Bank...