When was the last time you lost yourself in play?
We live in a world where the pace of life is rapid, and expectations of output are high – a world where to prioritise rest, play and connection with nature can feel like swimming against the tide. Wild Rumpus exists to create conditions where people feel free to push back against this pressure. We explore the barriers that prevent people from playing together, and the environments, invitations and provocations that can open the door to free, wild and joyous play!
Play is at the heart of what we do; we’ve set up giant marble runs and orchestrated games of hide-and-seek in libraries, created mysterious treasure hunts in museums, and built interactive Pavilions of Play at National Trust properties all over the country. We’re committed advocates to the power of play – July’s Timber Festival saw us programme a panel on ‘The Power of Play’ with thought leaders and play experts discussing an imagined future where play is central to everything we do, both as children and adults.
We value and nurture connections with organisations and experts who share our passion for encouraging and facilitating play. Timberplay, who supported our Power of Play panel at Timber, design and create landscape-led play areas, where the natural environment is an integral part of creating spaces that inspire free, adventurous and challenging play.
‘Play is the opportunity to try out all possibilities, to test the limits, gather experience, learn – and it’s not just restricted to children’ Günter Beltzig, Designer of children’s playgrounds.
As part of the creation of our art and nature-led Adventure Playground in the north west city of Crewe, we’ve created wider connections with inspirational play workers and experts in their field, who are truly committed to providing urban playground spaces that are a lifeline to communities in some of the most deprived areas of the country. Free access to unstructured play where some of the most important life skills are gained has been shown to nurture and support children in a way that other settings often can’t. It’s a world we’re committed to being part of through our Flag Lane Adventure Playground project.
But why are we so committed to play?
Because we see play, nature and art as a powerful triangle.
We believe that play, and the creativity which floods from it, is the lifeblood of all things good: joy and connectedness are born from creativity and imagination, and the positive memories which bind us together are usually made through playful interactions.
Free expression in nature and creativity are powerful players in confronting the climate crisis, as young people who have grown up with the natural world as their playground will grow into adults with a greater sense of climate justice. Feelings of ownership over place instils us with a desire to nurture and protect, whilst a playfully engaged brain – one capable of imagining a brave new world – is infinitely more likely to go on to create one.
Engaging with a narrative through play also has the power to connect audiences more deeply to a story, which is where our work in creating festivals and immersive events lies.
The Lanterns at Chester Zoo – saw us create a series of interactive puppets, inviting families to step into the animal’s worlds. Visitors held up their hands to a family of inquisitive orangutans, danced with zebras and howled at the moon alongside a pack of life-like wolves.
The event was engaging and playful – yet told the conservation message Chester Zoo advocates for so strongly, as visitors left with a deep sense of connection to the animals, their habitats, and the natural world.
By using the power of play, we turn stories from black and white words into living, breathing, immersive experiences; and transform ideas and thoughts on a page into something tangible, memorable and magical.
If you’re interested in discussing how Wild Rumpus could tell you organisation’s story through the power of play, contact our commercial lead Jasmine on jasmine.turner@wildrumpus.org.uk
