"Free Play" for Indoor Play; inspired by Scott, George and Charlie!

At http://www.shareandcompareplay.com, we continue to research how Indoor Play areas are designed.

Our hypothesis is that potentially significant opportunities are being missed by play suppliers and operators to provide the best possible play experience and to benefit commercially as a result.

One particular aspect of our research leads us to believe that there may not be enough “free play” within most indoor play areas. Watching our neighbour’s children playing during the weekend provided further insight for those interested in designing the play experiences of tomorrow.

In summary, the camouflaged ‘box’ you see above is the end result of two hours of unstructured play between three friends, all under 9 years of age. This started as a box, progressed to being a kennel and ended as a camouflaged hideout (who knows what else it was during the process?).

Each of our neighbours children are fortunate to be surrounded by friends and family who willingly spend time with their children in whatever way entertains. However, perhaps the best play experience is derived when the children are free to invent their own improvised play experience in ways that adults cannot imagine.

Our earlier blog, http://tinyurl.com/da48sz referred to a Scientific study published in the Scientific American Magazine that stated the following:

“Data suggests that a lack of opportunities for unstructured, imaginative play can keep children from growing into happy, well-adjusted adults. “Free play,” as scientists call it, is critical for becoming socially adept, coping with stress and building cognitive skills such as problem solving”

Free Play seems to be what children do naturally when they are given time and space to explore. In recent weeks, I have also seen a brother a sister play for over fifteen minutes with only two sticks as they mocked a fight, any school playground will reveal the same experience repeated with the most basic of items.

It is this kind of “free play” that offers the most exciting possibilities for play suppliers and operators; if we Design based on the natural inclination of children to explore and play without frontiers then not only will we be meeting our responsibility to provide the best possible play experience, we also benefit from this untapped business opportunity.

Finally, this view was re-enforced during a recent conversation with Ian Kearney of Cheeky Monkeys; a successful play centre operator for many years. Ian recently told me that a small plastic house (available from Toys ‘R’ Us for a few pounds) that he recently added was one of his most popular play elements (he also provides a stage for singing and other creative play activities) because Children liked to interact and mirror what their parents do.

In summary, there are perhaps a few things to consider for prospective play operators:

• If you are opening a play area, consider reducing the amount of Soft Play equipment by at least 10% and instead designate a space as a ‘free play’ area
• Provide a variety of loose “play equipment” (a cardboard box seems to be a great start), leave the children to decide what to do with the space and encourage its reinvention every few days
• Designate a wall where children can draw and create, leaving their mark seems to be particularly important
• Observe children at play (away from a Soft Play centre) and see what they naturally do; seek to provide a play experiences that challenges them in these activities

These are just a few ideas to encourage further thought with regard to the design of Indoor Play areas because Soft Play Equipment alone will no longer suffice.

We will be sharing our research and action plan with you in the next few weeks; in the meantime, please share your stories and experiences by commenting on this blog.

PS. Thanks to Scott, George and Charlie

PPS. A straw poll of parents revealed they will pay for a “free play” area because someone else will be cleaning up the mess!!

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