The brief
It was school holiday time again and our client needed an activation that encouraged lots of activity that tied into a ‘Shopping Centre’ theme in an interesting way.
What did we deliver?
We created The Village Green – a pop-up play experience specifically designed for small people to play big! The mini village was filled with a variety of pint-sized pretend play stations to encourage children to explore a wide range of occupations. Think doctor, firefighter, barista, builder, daycare worker … the list goes on!
How did it work?
The Village Green incorporated eight key role play stations housed side by side in the large centre court space.
They included a:
- Fire station
- Daycare centre
- Building site
- Doctor’s surgery
- Cafe with an alfresco area
- Kitchen
- Orchard
- Market stall
We intentionally placed the kitchen, orchard and market stall next to each other to encourage kids to move from one to the next. They could grow veggies in the orchard, sell them at the market stall and then cook them in the kitchen.
All play stations had appropriately themed dress ups to help kids get into the spirit of their profession. We also had two educators on hand to guide them, as well as keep the area tidy and safe.
Key features
- Bright ‘village green’ theming with green grass underfoot & wooden truss roof stalls
- 8 different play stations
- Appropriate dress up clothes in each station
- Interactive props such as pretend chickens, wooden eggs, vineyard with grapes, veggie patch, fruit tree, doctor’s equipment, shopping trolleys & prams
- Two educators/supervisors to guide children & keep the areas tidy
- Long central benches for parents to take a break, or enjoy a pretend meal or coffee prepared by their little chefs & baristas
- Retailer tie-in – parents could claim a free babyccino for their little one at nearby Degani Cafe with any coffee purchase
What did it achieve?
Well, it certainly hit the brief for being a hive of activity! The space was buzzing at most times of the day, particularly as there was enough room for children to remain at their play station and role play, while others moved around each one with their props (prams and shopping trolleys).
Some key outcomes:
- Meaningful play – kids love dressing up and role playing and this activation allowed them to do so in a real world setting (albeit mini-size!)
- Engagement for long period – due to the variety of stations on offer, children spent a good amount of time trying their hand at being a barista then a firefighter, then a builder, then a gardener etc.
- Big space=big crowds – the large activation space allowed for lots of children to explore and play without getting in each other’s way.
- The ‘parent pause’ spot – placing the benches in the centre of the activity allowed parents to take a breather, but still be active in play as their little ones’ served them, or checked their pulse, or asked them to sing their daycare baby a lullaby!
Need more info?
The Village Green offers a great combination of real-life role playing and imaginative fun. It’s perfect for a centre court space and can easily be tied to your centre’s retailers, or themed to a retail event. For more info, drop us a line at [email protected].
