Who made it happen
Pippa Hale (Play Practitioner) in collaboration with the museum learning team and front-of-house staff.
What was needed
The museum wanted to introduce play into its galleries without disrupting exhibitions or undermining the seriousness of the collection. Any intervention needed to feel appropriate to the context, flexible within an existing public building and manageable for staff day to day.
What we did
Playful worked closely with the museum team to introduce a series of adaptable play elements designed to sit comfortably within gallery spaces. Using PlayBoxes™, we created open-ended play opportunities that encouraged exploration, curiosity and interaction — without fixed instructions or visual noise. The approach allowed play to coexist with exhibitions, rather than compete with them.
Playful™ impact
Families spent longer in the galleries and engaged more confidently with the space. Staff reported feeling more comfortable welcoming children into exhibitions, with less need to actively manage behaviour and movement. The result was a calmer, more inclusive gallery environment that supported both visitor experience and operational ease.
Gallery
