The Pop-Up Play Shop Conwy
We found that families need enticing into the shop as many won’t enter on their own. Perhaps because they didn’t know what it was or there are concerns about cost. However, once they were in, we had great feedback! We found it very interesting how children entered and approached the space. Some children immediately threw themselves at the large loose parts and set about playing.
Getting comfortable with the shop space
However, the majority of children seemed to need time to get used to the shop’s space. This may be because there are no playwork settings in Conwy and very few play-schemes using loose parts so for many children it was their first time seeing loose parts on mass! We also reflected that perhaps it was slightly disorientating going shopping and suddenly finding a haven of play!
In order to welcome children into the space playworkers first suggested more structured activities such as Jenga, table tennis or arts and crafts. This seemed to work well as a bridging activity and as the children became used to the space they progressed to become immersed in their own freely chosen play.
We had quite a unique team working in the shop I (Millie) was in the shop all day every day and then had different playworkers from all the organisations mentioned above joining me each day. This was a fantastic way of working to our mind. In short, it means we gain new perspectives on the space every few days. That’s because the shop is always evolving.
Accessibility
It was extremely important to us that the space was accessible and attractive to all ages and we were pleased to draw in young people as well as younger children. However, some young people interacted in a way that some of the general public found difficult. They were very loud and were keen on very active, rough and tumble play, which was quite often on the edge of chaos if not boiling over the edge!
Whilst this kind of behaviour is very normal and is manageable in an open setting it became challenging in the shop, as we as playworkers were very aware of damage to the shop fittings and were mindful of the reputation of the project and of playwork practice. All of these factors meant that we intervened earlier in the play than might have occurred in an open setting such as a park.
Sessions of fantasy
There was a lot of fantasy, imaginative, dramatic, socio-dramatic and role play, more so than most outdoor play sessions, perhaps because of the many play cues and affordances offered by the shop and loose parts. Also, it felt as though the walls of the space itself created a physical frame that held and extended play frames that might otherwise have been annihilated quickly in an open setting. Unsurprisingly there was much exploratory and object play with the various loose parts.
Thanks, Pop Up Adventure Play for the inspiration and top tips! We had a great time playing shop and are hoping to repeat it soon!
Get in touch with us f you are thinking of opening your very own Pop-Up Play Shop!
