Last week, 25 Playful Learners came together at the University of Exeter to explore the theme of Playfulness on a Budget. Over two days, we shared ideas, experimented with low-cost playful approaches, and connected with a like-minded community.
This blog post offers a quick snapshot of the event, but if you’re curious for more, check out the full agenda, slides, photos, and resources on our Padlet.
Day 1: Thursday
Katie Piatt (University of Sussex) and Andy Walsh (Freelance/Academic Libraries North), welcomed everyone to the event. It was good to see a mix of familiar PLA faces as well as lots of new people.
After a warm-up, Katie led a session on Budget Escape Rooms. We used this for everyone to discuss how escape rooms might work in their own contexts and how to develop similar activities on a budget.
The Exeter team showcased their innovative approaches to playful learning with a series of activities involving llamas, story dice and wrestling (!).
Day 2: Friday
Following a gentle start of games and “making lemonade” (putting a positive reframing on bad events) we moved into a session of Laughter Yoga from Sue Haswell, highlighting the joy and health benefits of laughter.
Gary and Claire then shared their work at “Beyond the Skills” on how playfulness can help learners develop beyond traditional skills.
Finally, Vici Daphne Händel, led us in a game of Werewolf this interactive to demonstrate how to use role-playing games to foster engagement and collaboration.
Thank You, Exeter!
A massive thank you to the Exeter InnoPlay team for hosting us and for the use of their vibrant Creative Quadrant space. It was an inspiring environment, and we made the most of every corner (and every piece of furniture)!
What’s Next?
Our in-person meetups are always free to attend—you just need to cover your own travel and accommodation, while the host institution provides the space and catering. We alternate locations around the UK each April and November, and we’re always looking for new hosts. If you’re interested, get in touch!
Coming up next: February 2025 (online)—theme to be announced. Keep an eye on this space for more details soon!