Play in the Courtyard!

Come and spend some time in our new play kitchen, draw with chalk and explore new Eeyore-style (A frame-shaped) dens. We are excited to launch play artefacts in our courtyard this summer. These items were made by play expert Milly Wood (Red Collective) in conjunction with Assemble Play.  

The items are available to play with during gallery opening hours. No need to book – just come and play. 

Penny from Assemble Play says, “During the Play Works exhibition, we realised that the Courtyard is a perfect place to linger and play. The existing mud kitchen is always in use and our observations of this gentle playing informed the design of artefacts to be installed in the same space. We saw parents using the benches and children playing in groups, using the gravel to prepare and serve meals in the ‘kitchen’.   

We added more cooking pots, colanders and bark chip from a previous exhibition, as well as soil and straw to extend the culinary theme. We extended the domestic atmosphere of the playing space by building two simple Eeyore-style (A frame-shaped) dens.

We also wanted to stretch the possibilities of the mud kitchen and forge a link with the Cultural Reforesting programme by providing a bench for potion-making. We added a mark making board because sometimes all of us, especially children, need to make our mark. The Play Works exhibition highlighted the power of children’s creativity and we are determined to continue that legacy at Orleans House Gallery.”