Designing with Children

We are proud recipients of a "Special Mention" in the Real Play City Challenge: Placemakers 2020-2021, recognizing our "Our Ideal World" program. This workshop for children aged 7-12, based on a custom adaptation of the design-thinking process from the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford University (commonly known as the d.school), encourages children's participation in solving local neighborhood challenges, creating safer and more playful cities. Through the workshop, children are also introduced to problem solving, creativity, critical thinking, and other 21st-century skills required for careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths).

Building upon this program, we have developed a comprehensive toolkit to scale our impact across Africa, training educators, placemakers, and others to lead participatory workshops and contribute to the development of more child-friendly urban environments.

By taking part in Designing with Children on ChangeX, as an educator, you'll gain access to:

Designing with Children Toolkit: Each educator will have access to Play Africa’s open-source, virtually accessible, comprehensive and user-friendly toolkit that includes step-by-step guides, activity templates, and case studies. This toolkit will serve as a valuable resource for implementing design thinking workshops effectively.

Training, Capacity Building and Technical Support: The educators will participate in a training program facilitated by Play Africa. The training will equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct engaging workshops and effectively utilize the toolkit. Ongoing support and mentorship will be provided throughout the program duration.

Networking and Collaboration Opportunities: Play Africa will foster a collaborative community of practice among the educators, providing them with opportunities to connect, share best practices, and learn from each other's experiences. Regular meetups, workshops, and online platforms will be established to facilitate networking and knowledge exchange.

Community Engagement Support: Play Africa will support community engagement activities by providing letters of support to encourage parents and volunteers to actively participate in the design thinking workshops and the improvement projects. This collaborative approach will strengthen community ties and ensure long-term support for the program.