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Creating a Play Wall
A guide to invite community to share their best play memories
& Building communityExploration 3
U.S. 2017-2018
2
Why build a Play Wall?Building a Play Wall for your community is a wonderful way
to invite people to bring more play into their everyday
lives, by reconnecting them with their inner child. By
creating either a temporary or permanent Play Wall, you
offer a wonderful space for people to share and connect
across generations.
What is the Play Wall concept?The Play Wall is a concept developed by an international
Exploration team that is part of the LEGO® Foundation’s
PlayFutures initiative. It is inspired by the original “Before
I die…” interactive chalkboard concept created by the
artist Candy Chang.
The Play Wall is a 6m x 2m black chalkboard with the
invitation to participants of a local community to
reconnect with their best play memories, by prompting
them to finish the sentence: When I was little, I loved to
play...
The key message behind the concept is to invite people
to play (more) everywhere, everyday and remind them
that play is key to healthy development and learning.
Join the Play Wall Movement around the world
It doesn’t take much to join the movement! Perhaps you are running a community event, volunteering at a community center, or throwing a block party. If you want to join an international movement to promote play and learning, you can easily create a play wall that is temporary or create one that is meant to last. Below, read how you can participate.
Photo credit: Street Lab / The Uni Project
1. Select a locationThink about where you can catch the attention of children
and/or adults, such as at a bus stop, park, library, or
community event. A Play Wall works best where there is
lots of foot traffic, and even better, where people linger.
If multiple generations are in one place, the potential
impact only increases! Just be sure to get permission!
2. Create a Play WallAlthough the original Play Wall was created from
chalkboard, you can also use large sheets of paper and
markers, or even a whiteboard. Write, “When I was little, I
loved to play….” at the top, and you are ready to
go (Just be sure that any materials are safe and can’t fall
over on anyone)! If creating a more permanent wall, we
recommend secured plywood covered with chalkboard
paint.
Check out Candy Chang’s work to see the original
interactive chalkboard wall and read a step-by-step guide
for creating your wall on any topic:
http://beforeidieproject.com/
3. Consider adding materialsOne way to enhance a playful energy at your site is
to incorporate materials that help promote playful
experiences. Consider adding a ball, sidewalk chalk, a deck
of cards, or other play materials that can be left to inspire
play among your visitors.
4. Talk, talk, talk! Play, play, play! The true power of this project is in promoting discussions
and playful interaction from those participating or
observing the Play Wall. We have seen grandparents
teach children new games and vice versa. The more
interactive the experience, the better! To maintain a
permanent wall, you will need to erase the board weekly
and possibly monitor it for inappropriate content.
5. Take pictures & join the movementFollowing the rules of where you live about photographs
in public, take a picture of your Play Wall and/or its
visitors and share it on social media (Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram) using the hashtag #PlayWall.
Check back in to see how children and adults from
all around the world are joining the play and learning
revolution!
How to create a Play Wall
Contact
For questions and comments in regard to this material:
Learn more about PlayFutures
https://www.legofoundation.com/en/what-we-do/playfutures/
This Play Wall concept has been inspired by the original idea of Candy Chang’s “Before I die” project.
Please check out her website http://beforeidieproject.com to see the original interactive chalkboard
wall and read the step-by-step guide for creating your chalkboard wall on any topic.
This Play Wall Guide was developed during a PlayFutures exploration (2017-2018) funded by the
LEGO Foundation. It has been implemented thanks to the collaboration of a team of practitioners and
researchers passionate about learning through play.
Brenna Hassinger-DasBrenna Hassinger-Das is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Pace University where she studies how kids learn through play, among other things. She can be found on Twitter (@blhassinger) and via email at [email protected].
Jennifer M. ZoshJennifer M. Zosh, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Pennsylvania State University (Brandywine) where she is the Director of the Brandywine Child Development Lab. To learn more about her research and outreach about playful learning, the impact of technology on children and families, and cognitive development, email her at [email protected], visit her website at http://sites.psu.edu/zosh/ or find her on Twitter @DrZosh.
Kathy Hirsh-PasekKathy Hirsh-Pasek is the Stanley and Deborah Lefkowitz Professor of Psychology at Temple University in Philadelphia, where she directs the Temple University Infant Language Laboratory. She is the author of 14 books and over 200 publications on early childhood and infant development, with a specialty in language and literacy, and playful learning. She is also a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Center for Universal Education, and the current president of the International Congress of Infant Studies.
Leslie DavolLeslie Davol is co-founder and Executive Director of Street Lab, an nonprofit organization best known for its work as The Uni Project, providing open-air reading rooms, drawing stations, and other portable learning environments to public spaces across New York City. Prior to starting Street Lab, Leslie’s career was in museums and cultural planning.
Molly SchlesingerDr. Molly Schlesinger is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Temple University Infant and Child Lab and the Scientific Coordinator for Philadelphia Playful Learning Landscapes. Her research program and community outreach work center on early childhood psychology and life-long informal learning and skill building for children, families, and communities.
Sarah WolmanSarah Wolman is Initiatives Lead, Learning through Play in Early Childhood at the LEGO Foundation. Build and manage portfolio of grants and programs that empower children to become creative and engaged, lifelong learners. Identify and support programs around the world with the potential to re-define play and re-imagine learning, with a particular focus on early childhood and using play to enrich learning and improve whole-child outcomes. Regions of activity include U.S., East Africa, India and global initiatives.
Tim GillTim Gill is an independent researcher and consultant whose work explores the changing nature of childhood, and children’s evolving relationships with the people and places around them. He has a global profile for his work on risk and child-friendly urban planning. Contact Tim via his website www.rethinkingchildhood.com.
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