The past week was busy but exciting. As a pop-up playworker at Pop-Up Adventure Play, I spent my days creating playful experiences, organising materials and ensuring children had the freedom to explore and create. Here’s a glimpse into my week.
Monday
Since it was a Bank Holiday in the UK, I dedicated the day to preparing for the week ahead. I organised a garage full of cardboard boxes for a three-day pop-up playworker event in my local community. To avoid any early-morning panic, I loaded up my car the night before, ensuring everything was ready for the sessions.
I also spent the day organising my paperwork for the week. We at Pop-Up Adventure Play know how important it is for children to get our undivided attention during any given session, but as a result, we are always super tired afterwards. To make sure I didn’t neglect anything important or forget to do anything on a time limit, I did it all on Monday so I wouldn’t need to think about for the rest of the week. Additionally, I handed any remaining responsibilities over to another member of staff in case anything came up. I was then ready!
Tuesday
I arrived early at the site, armed with scissors, tape, string, and risk assessments—essentials for any pop-up playworker. The first day started quietly, with just four children deeply engaged in creative play. One child even recreated a scene from home, pretending to fix a roof just like his father.
“This is the chimney”
Wednesday
By midweek, exhaustion had set in—a familiar feeling for any pop-up playworker after consecutive days of play. More children joined the session, including some who wandered over from a neighbouring activity. Exploration took center stage as they tested their surroundings, asked questions and pushed creative boundaries.
“What will happen if I take possession of a house that someone else has spent 2 days building?”
Thursday
The final day of the pop-up event was the busiest. Twenty children of all ages filled the space, building houses and playing with enthusiasm. Parents joined in, and I took the opportunity to share why play is essential. Instead of handling cleanup alone, I had unexpected help from families, making the process easier.
The pop-up play session is a-buzz with activity.
Usually, at a session, I ask parents just to leave the tidying up to me, but this time they all mucked in and wouldn’t take no for an answer. By the time everyone had left, I didn’t have much to pack away. Just a whole load of recycling to transport to the giant bins at the back of the school, and a quick sweep of the floor. Tidy up day didn’t end up being too laborious, and I wasn’t too tired when I got home. Hoorah!
Friday
Unsurprisingly, it took me a long time to get going when I woke up. Luckily, I didn’t have to be anywhere, and spent the day on paperwork and meetings. Oh yes, playworkers have paperwork too, and when you’re running a charity too, it takes up a lot of time, and patience. It’s all good though, lots of good conversations and connections made so that’s nice. A marked contrast to 3 days of play, but it’s all part of a playworker’s responsibility for play advocacy.
Saturday
Day off. HOORAH!
Sunday
A visit to Plas Madoc Adventure Playground. There were three main reasons for going over to Wrexham for a few hours:
1) to see Pop-Ups friend Erin who’s come over from the US to do some filming for a play documentary (absolutely amazing stuff).
2) to see my friend Claire to runs the adventure playground
3) to remind myself what all this work is for, and why playwork is so important, and embrace the career I have chosen in an environment for play that is simply choc-a-block full of possibility.
“The Land” aka Plas Madoc Adventure Playground. I think this one of my most favourite places in the world right now.
So ends my slight-extraordinary-and-not-too-typical week at Pop-Up Adventure Play. Every one of our weeks is a little bit different. I hope to be able to tell you more about our work as time goes on. Hope you’ve enjoyed the little insight into my world, and the wonderful adventures of Pop-Up Adventure Play.
To read more about Zan’s adventures in play, please visit her blog. To find out more about Pop-Up Adventure Play, please visit our website and like our Facebook page.
By Zan
