Pop Up Adventure Play Day is a SUCCESS!

We had a wonderful Portland Pop Up Adventure Play Day. Lots of friends showed up to play with us during the day and we had a great workshop and discussion in the evening. The main idea was to provide an open ended and child directed play opportunity. It was a ‘Pop Up’ because it only lasted for a few hours. It was amazing to see every single piece of material we brought be used in so many ways over the course of the day.

We want to thank Suzanna and Morgan from Pop Up Adventure Play for all their support and knowledge! Here Suzanna enjoys playing with some Pop Up guests in Portland.

 

There was lots of fine motor play like drawing and stickers

 

Drawing inside the box tunnels was a big hit.

 

There was LOTS of fun forts

 

We learned that these big yellow inflatable bubbles are fun, but we can easily send our friends flying so we have to be careful!

 

 

We made new games

 

and was some amazing costume creations…

 

 

There was lots of pretend play…

 

 

 

We saw old things in new ways…

 

a boat??

 

another boat?

 

A sculpture!

We made music!

 

 

One thing that I noticed was adult engagement. It was a mix of wanting to keep kids safe, showing them the possibilities, helping with difficult or high level tasks as well as some adults wanting to have fun. Adults were all over and in the play mix. As a parent and organizer I really had a fun day. I did not have to lead or organize anything. I observed and played and had fun. So often at traditional playgrounds parents are sitting on a bench nearby or on their phones. Adventure play, like nature play, really engages adults and whole families to play together.

 

We had a great mix of people. On a rainy spring day in Portland indoor play is a MUST. We had a few child care centers join us. Lots of parent and child groups. Lots of friend groups and grandparents too. Kids were intermixing between groups too. There were lots of new parent and child collaborations, and hopefully some new friendships.

 

Lots of people wanted to play more, get involved and know when the next play day was going to be. Leon from Planet Earth Playscapes and I will be working together to see what the future holds in Portland; more play days, a task force group on adventure play, maybe even our own adventure playground! We will see what the future holds. Let me know if you are interested in being involved or learning more.