Playday 2015

Playday this year was FUN! We grabbed tyres, rope, netting, buckets and a slackline from the Shop of Possibilities and headed over to the green on Sceaux Gardens which has lots of amazing old trees - perfect for tree swings and climbing!

We started off on familiar ground with a good old tyre swing on our favourite tree...

But then moved onto the slack line, something we previously used as part of artist Lily Keal's sessions on Elmington estate, but the kids from The Shop of Possibilities hadn't tried it before...

We spread out across the space and set up more swings, and started working on a zip line...

The children starting trying out the slack line. Turns out it was pretty tricky! But they helped each other to get from one side to the other...

 

And tried to make it more 'risky'...

We also made a bucket swing...

 And a bucket zip line (thanks to playworker Josh's engineering skills!)

Then playworkers Cassandra and Josh helped the children to make a giant hammock. Here's what happened in Cassandra's words:

It all started off with Haddy (7) lying on a cushion that was over some thick rope that was tied around two trees to make a zip wire. Haddy then said “I want to make one of those things you lay on” so I said “What? A hammock?” and she said “YEAH” with so much excitement! So she went off to get the materials she needed to make her giant hammock.

 

She asked Josh to tie it around the trees but he was not quite tall enough to reach, so as a result, he lifted Haddy on to his shoulders to get the materials over the trees for him to tie it.

Once the hammock was made Haddy was happy with the end result and she was the first to try the hammock, but she then let other children have a go afterwards. In the end Haddy went off and Uche was in the hammock and Josh even got in with him! I started to push the both of them which, was a bit tricky at first but then I found an easier way of pushing both of them in the giant hammock which worked out well!

Such a fun afternoon! What did you all get up to for Playday?

To find out more about Playday, head over to their website

Bamboo Tents

Big, bright, bold bamboo tents on Pelican estate!

Tying Up

Wrapping and tying people up seems to never get boring. Usually with tape, this time wool (with a little bit of tape) was used, and I particularly enjoyed the little chant that happened while the kids were wrapping each other up. Scroll down to the video clip to hear it.

 

 

Felipe Castelblanco: The People's Monument

We recently invited artist Felipe Castelblanco to propose a project for Play Local. He worked with our team of playworkers for a day, discussing public art and what type of art they find engaging. They worked together, picking apart what makes certain work engaging in order to help them deliver a monument making workshop the following day at Pelican estates 'Summer Splash' fun day.

Here are some images from the playworkers training session which included a slideshow of public art, discussions, a visit to the current SLG exhibition by Thomas Hirschhorn and an animation team building and group work exercise.

Then with lots of new ideas around engaging the public in the making of a shared artwork, the team and Felipe set off to Pelican estate for the fun day with all their chosen materials from The Shop of Possibilities.

Transporting the materials

Team briefing before the children and families arrive

We get a front row seat for the South London Samba band!

Making a start

All the tools and equipment lined up ready

 See the rest of the photos by clicking the read more link...

Play Pieces: July 2015

Happy Playday everyone! As we celebrate the importance of children's right to play, let's look back at lots of playful things that have happened throughout the last month at the Shop of Possibilities.

It's been hot, so we got the water out...

...and tipped it everywhere!

We made a giant hammock

Gave our playworkers a challenge with the trolley

Had pillow fights

Made bamboo sculptures

Had more pillow fights... in trolleys!

Experimented with candles and matches

We had a rest in the tyres...

...and a tea break round the tables

Made a tricky obstacle course

Hung out in a bin

Played with a periscope

Sawed some wood

Got pulled around in a tyre...

...then got Lily to pull us around in a tyre!

And finally we had a lie down in a castle!

Now we're off to play with rope, netting, tyres and trees. What will you all be doing for Playday?