A look into how Imagination Play brought Bluey’s World to life.
Creating Bluey’s World (one of the worlds most celebrated TV Shows) was the most exciting project Imagination Play has successfully completed. Let’s take a look at what it is, who we are and how one the most highly decorated cartoons become a reality with Director, Mark Batty.
What does Imagination Play do?
Founded in Victoria in 1995, Imagination Play is one of Australia’s leading playground installers, focused on creating fun, inclusive and imaginative play spaces for young Australians.
With our “fun for all” approach, our incredible team designs play spaces that maximise activity, fitness, and adventurous experiences for all ages and abilities.
We have 30 years of experience working with schools, councils and parks across the country to deliver a range of play spaces that are accessible to all.
This includes outdoor play, nature play, rope play equipment, fitness equipment, indoor playgrounds and water play equipment.
As the founder of Imagination Play, tell us about the company’s core values?
Playgrounds have changed quite a bit since I entered the industry in 1993.
What hasn’t changed is the importance of providing children of all ages and abilities with a place to use their imaginations, build relationships and take part in physical activity in a fun and inclusive environment.
At Imagination Play, we believe that play is an essential element for a happier, healthier community and is key to improving the quality of life for individuals, groups, and families.
Well-designed playgrounds provide challenges and do not overly predetermine choices for children. This allows them to take managed risks and improve their cognitive development.
Our new innovative playground at Bluey’s World Brisbane embodies these important philosophies.
How important is it to incorporate equitable access into all your playgrounds?
Incorporating equitable access into our playgrounds is pivotal to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to play.
At Imagination Play, it’s not just about making the playground visually appealing but creating both social and physical connections for children of all ages and abilities.
Imagination Play has built a reputation in designing and installing equitable access playgrounds, as shown by our new playgrounds at the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre in Melbourne and Emerson School in Dandenong.
Tell us about the equitable access playgrounds you’ve recently designed and installed?
At Imagination Play, we are proud to have support the creation of inclusive environments where every child can play, explore, and thrive.
We recently designed and installed an accessible playground at the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre (CPEC) in Melbourne.
This thoughtfully designed playground aims to help children take those first steps towards feeling confident and independent on playgrounds in their local communities.
We also recently designed and installed playgrounds for Emerson School in Dandenong and the Echuca East Community Precinct.
What makes these playgrounds accessible?
Emerson School is a specialist school that caters to students with mild intellectual processing difficulties. Therefore, it was imperative that we approached the design thoughtfully and prioritised equitable access.
During the planning stage, we considered how accessible the surface materials, ramps and entry points would be and how we would incorporate a variety of play options, including Physical, Sensory, Quiet Zones and Imaginative Play.
Furthermore, we had to ensure the playground equipment, including the swing options, social spaces, multi-sensory equipment and ground level play would be inclusive, and that consideration was given to caregivers in the form of seating and wide rubberised pathways.
Of course, when designing any new playground, we ensure the design is compliant with Australian Standards.
The playgrounds at Bluey’s World, CPEC, and Emerson School also included our newly designed and Australian made inclusive spinner. Unlike traditional playground spinners and carousels that are mounted above ground, our spinner is mounted underground which enables the base to be level with the playground surface for wheelchair accessibility.
How did you become involved in Bluey’s World?
Imagination Play was contacted by Bluey’s World Brisbane who were looking for a fun, inclusive play space in their cafe area.
Given our long history of creative bespoke play solutions, we quickly jumped on this opportunity and immersed ourselves in the TV show to fully understand every aspect of Bluey and replicate this through our designs.
What was the design and installation process for the Bluey’s World playground?
This project was all about taking Bluey from the screen to the playground and bringing the iconic show to life!
Our talented design and manufacturing team spent hundreds of hours watching Bluey episodes to study the show, including its unique design elements and the characters that we all know and love.
From there, we brainstormed conceptual illustrations using 3D computer modelling of the actual playgrounds in Bluey in order to bring the show to life.
How does it feel to be part of bringing this global franchise to life?
It is an honour to have played a part in bringing Bluey’s world to life in this world-first immersive experience.
After 30 years of experience working with schools, councils and parks across the country to deliver amazing play experiences, we feel that Bluey’s World perfectly aligns with Imagination Play’s key vision of making play accessible and fun for all ages and abilities.
Bluey is such a widely loved show, it is so exciting to be part of the global sensation and play a role in bringing her world to life.
Based on your 30 years of experience, what do you think are the benefits of play on a child’s cognitive and physical development?
Play is crucial for a child’s development. Children need physical challenges and good risk benefits to develop their abilities whilst having fun at the same time.
Children benefit by challenging themselves and taking managed risks whilst in play.
Good playgrounds provide challenges and do not overly predetermine choices for children.
For over 30 years, Imagination Play has been creating play spaces that challenge and engage children of all ages and abilities.
Ready to explore how you can bring your playground to life? Explore our school playground equipment or get in touch.
