Hull-based theatre company The Herd are based in a Princes Quay shop unit and have created a free play space made entirely out of recycled and reused materials.
Following on from the success of REPLAY at the Southbank Centre in London, The Herd have created a play space in the heart of Hull city centre where families with children 0-5 can come and play for free.
The Herd Shop encourages children and grown-ups to play side by side – building, making, imagining, dressing up, creating, designing, inventing and much more.
With objects and materials that ignite imaginations, The Herd Shop is a space to play freely as a family and for early years children and their families to just be. It’s a celebration of play and highlights the importance of dedicated playful spaces for children and their grown ups.
As Christmas creeps nearer, The Herd are excited to be able to offer a free space for rest and play amongst those busy, stressful shopping trips. Families are welcome to stay for a moment or spend the day.
Since the shop has opened there have been some lovely responses from people visiting: “Great fun and definitely opens up imagination (for everyone involved). Brilliant place.” Other visitors have commented on how the shop offers a fresh alternative to other play spaces: “Lovely space. Very interesting ideas for play, new ways of playing.” People are also loving the way both the children and adults respond to the objects: “Amazing space for imaginations to grow.”
The Herd Shop hopes to inspire adults in reassessing what our idea of waste is, as well as what can be defined as a ‘toy’.
Artist Ruby Thompson said: “Adults are always talking about how children have more fun with the cardboard box than the toy! We’re really excited to be bringing free open-ended play to Hull City Centre ”
The Herd Theatre brings children, young people and families together in playful spaces to share exceptional experiences. They play alongside children to create shows, installations and experiences that celebrate, interrogate and nurture the joy of childhood.