Childhood as it should be.
We aim to empower a generation of bold explorers who grow meaningful connections to themselves, their community and the natural world through play.
We are a constituted community group managed by a small team of volunteers living in and around Boscombe.
About Us
As part of the #summerofplay we’ll be popping up in and around BCP for children and families to enjoy. Event details are posted on our Facebook page.
As playworkers we resource play spaces with “loose parts”. These are everyday objects used in extraordinary ways when children lead their own play.
Read our blog on loose parts
Our founder, Adele Cleaver, is publishing a memoir about parenthood and playwork on 1st July 2021. All profits are being donated to Big Blue Play.
Why free play is important
Play is a process. There isn’t a thing to make, instructions to follow, or something to take home at the end of a session (except memories and endorphins). Children’s brains evolve when they play freely without instructions from an adult.
At our Pop Up Playgrounds you can expect:
- Children leading their own play
- Random ‘stuff’ to play with
- A mix of ages playing together
- Each child respected as an individual with their own unique ways to play
- Adults taking a step back (but available to help when asked or deemed necessary)
- Free entry
“Relax”
Thank you for giving the permission to take a step back, observe and relax’
Parent, Family Nature Play workshop
“Time”
“The challenge for me is how to build time for this [outdoor play] during the course of busy weeks, especially when work is super demanding”
Parent, Family Nature Play workshop
“Play freely“
“Letting the children play freely is surprisingly quiet, gentle and slow”
Parent, Family Nature Play workshop
Keep up to date with Big Blue Play
- Our aimsWe are a community group managed by a small team of volunteers living in and around Boscombe. Our aims are: To advocate for all children to engage in “loose parts play”. To find innovative ways to expand access to inclusiveContinue reading “Our aims”
- Pop Up Playgrounds in BCPAs part of the #summerofplay we’ll be popping up in and around BCP for children and families to enjoy. Please visit our Facebook events page for the most up to date list of our pop up playgrounds. We don’t believeContinue reading “Pop Up Playgrounds in BCP”
- Children don’t dissolve in the rainOur founder, Adele Cleaver, is publishing a memoir about parenthood and playwork on 1st July 2021. All profits are being donated to Big Blue Play. Buy your copy now. https://adeleplayworker.bigcartel.com/
Photos credit: Parks 4 Play http://www.parks4play.org
bigblueplay.wordpress.com 