June 5: Imagine, Create, Play
Imagine, Create, Play
Playgrounds are often places of fun, friendship and adventure but not every playground is designed with everyone's needs in mind. Drawing or painting a dream playground gives children the opportunity to imagine a space where all children can play, explore and feel included.
This activity encourages children to think beyond traditional playground equipment and consider what makes a space welcoming and accessible. By imagining a playground without barriers, children can explore ideas about fairness, belonging and how thoughtful design can help everyone participate.
A dream playground might include wheelchair-accessible ramps, sensory play areas, quiet spaces for children who may feel overwhelmed, equipment designed for different physical abilities, communication boards, or spaces where children can play together regardless of their needs or differences.
Designing an inclusive playground can help support:
Creativity and imagination
Empathy and understanding
Problem-solving and critical thinking
Confidence and self-expression
Awareness of accessibility and inclusion
Art provides children with an opportunity to express their ideas and explore important concepts in a creative and engaging way. Through drawing and painting, they can become designers, inventors and advocates for spaces that welcome everyone.
Importantly, this activity does not require special materials. A blank sheet of paper and a few drawing supplies are all that is needed to start imagining a more inclusive world.
Thinking About Accessibility Through Play
Inclusive playgrounds recognise that children experience the world in different ways.
Some children may use wheelchairs or mobility aids. Others may have sensory sensitivities, communication differences, learning disabilities, visual impairments, or hidden disabilities that affect how they engage with their environment.
Encouraging children to think about these different experiences can help them understand that accessibility is not about creating separate spaces—it's about designing environments where everyone can participate together.
Questions can help children consider all the options. “What features would help everyone feel welcome and included?” There are no right or wrong answers. The goal is to encourage children to think creatively about how design can remove barriers and create opportunities for everyone.
Learning Through Shared Ideas
When children share their playground designs, they also share their perspectives and experiences.
At home, families can discuss the features included in each design and explore why certain elements were chosen. These conversations can help children develop empathy and a greater understanding of the diverse ways people experience the world.
In schools and community settings, children can work together to create collaborative playground designs that combine everyone's ideas. This encourages teamwork, communication and an appreciation for different viewpoints.
Activities like these help children recognise that inclusion benefits everyone. When spaces are designed to be accessible, they often become more welcoming, enjoyable and flexible for all users.
Imagining a More Inclusive Future
Screen-free living is not simply about stepping away from technology. It is also about creating opportunities to learn, connect and reflect through meaningful activities.
Drawing or painting a dream playground encourages children to think about the kind of world they want to create—one where everyone has the opportunity to play, belong and thrive.
Today, invite children to put their ideas on paper and imagine a playground designed for everyone. Their drawings may be filled with colour, creativity, and adventure, but they may also contain something even more important: a vision of a more accessible and inclusive future.
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