Building Big
Big Blue Blocks are a defining component of Plavi Svijet (Blue World Institute) in Croatia. Photo courtesy of Imagination Playground
Imagination Playground – the Big Blue Blocks that can by Wendy Grant The versatile, customizable playroom products can quickly transform a space into a place for play, engrossing children in hours of creative engagement
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he original Imagination Playground installation in 2010 was the result of a collaboration between Rockwell Group and New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Awardwinning architect David Rockwell was inspired by watching his own children play. His firm, Rockwell Group – known for stunning designs in hotels, restaurants, theater projects, and more – studied playgrounds and identified a need for open-ended activities. Ultimately, they created a permanent space in Burling Slip, featuring sand and water elements and the first Imagination Playground of Big Blue Blocks – what became the company’s signature, customizable block sets. The Burling Slip installation was an immediate hit and was named a top 10 playground in the United States by Early Childhood Education Zone. Jim Stallman acquired Imagination Playground in 2018 and continues to operate it from company headquarters in Providence, Rhode Island. Over the last decade the company has built a strong presence facilitating “loose part play” with its block sets – serving museums, educational institutions, and attractions, and expanding into themed entertainment markets.
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Now well established with representation around the world, Imagination Playground can turn any area into a fun and utterly absorbing space for kids. Its U.S.-manufactured, customizable products offer a versatile, durable, affordable solution for venues in need of a temporary play space or a permanent, kid-focused attraction. Kids in 60+ countries use Imagination Playground products to create creatures, contraptions, and construction projects. Imagination Playground block sets come in a range of sizes and are suitable for indoor and outdoor spaces. They are made of a proprietary closed-cell foam that’s lightweight, waterproof, and durable. Indoor uses range from tabletop to large playroom pieces; outdoors they can be used on the ground or in sand or water, including on splash pads. The blocks go beyond traditional shapes and are produced with curves, holes and angles. A newer product is Loose-Part Bones, available in three sizes, which can be used to assemble creatures like dinosaurs. The concept for Loose-Part Bones grew out of a collaboration with the Boston Children’s Museum.
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