Launched just three months ago, our Playful Minds programme has truly hit the ground running! Our small team has worked tirelessly to create an exciting and inclusive play programme and the feedback so far has been incredible.

Playful Minds uses playwork methodology and storytelling to support children in exploring their eight primary emotions and learn age-appropriate techniques for self-regulation or co-regulation with a trusted adult.

Impact
Our five-week programme has visited four primary schools across the Belfast City Council area, with delivery completed in Saint Vincent De Paul and Knockbreda Primary Schools, and currently underway in Lowwood and Dundela Primary Schools.

  • 181 children have enjoyed five fun play sessions
  • 48 teachers and classroom assistants received training on the critical role of play in building children’s emotional intelligence and positive mental health and well-being
  • 50 parents attended an interactive stay and play session. 

Practitioners’ feedback

“The children are much happier and so are we as staff, we all look forward to the play ladies coming in, the children regularly check in to see when you are coming back.”

“This training has made me rethink my own practice so much, even with something as simple of arts and crafts. Everything doesn’t need to look the same and perfect, the children enjoy it so much more when they can make whatever they want.”

“I have noticed that children’s relationships have changed as a result of the programme, they are bonding better together and there’s fewer arguments.”

“The children are much less reliant on staff for support, particularly during their play.”

Children’s feedback

“Can you and the play ladies come here every day?”

“All emotions are okay to feel.”

“ I LOVED that water fight can you bring it back again next week?”

“I’ve never played with soil before, it feels really nice.”

The Power of Play

Our Playful Minds programme gives children the opportunity to explore each of Bob Hughes’s 16 Play Types and follows a playwork ethos that promotes a child-led, and predominantly free-play experience. This approach allows children to reach their full potential at their own pace and through their own interests while also building resilience, fostering positive friendships, supporting positive mental health and well-being, and creating life-long play memories.

Activities

Many of our activities follow a jungle theme to compliment Archie’s Adventures in Emotions. Others simply act as invitations to play. However, all activities are designed to promote childhood resilience, offer therapeutic value, encourage creativity and imagination, and most importantly, lots and lots of fun!

  • Rhino pooh-dough and hyena snot
  • Sand, water, soil sensory trays
  • Mud kitchen
  • Stress ball station and loose parts station
  • Sports equipment
  • Den building
  • Compliments catwalk and dressing up
  • And much more!

Playful Minds key messages

  • Emotions are energy! The BIGGER the emotion, the more we need to MOVE our bodies to help manage that emotion in a healthy way.
  • PLAYING makes us feel good.
  • It is ok to be different! Archie Bear says differences of any kind are something to be celebrated.
  • PLAY CHAMPIONS are kind and respectful to their friends.
  • TRUSTED ADULTS are people we can talk to about things that make us feel sad, worried or afraid.
  • Being part of a COMMUNITY helps us to stay connected to friends and other people that can help us.
  • Getting MESSY is lots of fun and good for our brains!
  • We should all remember to PAUSE OUR DAY FOR PLAY to keep our bodies and brains healthy.

Archie Bear’s PLAY Champions

Every child who takes part in our programme receives their own Archie Bear, our programme mascot, and becomes a PLAY Champion after completing our five sessions. Archie Bear serves as a reminder to pause their day for play and embrace their role as a PLAY Champion! Archie Bear also helps children regulate emotions through stroking, hugging, or simply playing with him.

Playful Minds is available to children aged 4 to 9 years in primary schools, school-aged childcare settings, and community groups within the Belfast City Council area.

We are now fully booked until 2026. Don’t miss your opportunity to take part! Complete our EOI form and contact our team by emailing playfulminds@playboard.co.uk for bookings from summer 2026.

Find out more about Playful Minds.

Playful Minds is supported by The National Lottery Community Fund Northern Ireland.