Reimagining Caregiver Engagement Through Play and Co-Design

At the Institute of Imagination, we’ve always believed that creativity doesn’t start and stop in the classroom. It lives in kitchens, on playgrounds, and in the small moments between caregivers and children.  

Over the past few months, we’ve had the privilege of working closely with families across Tower Hamlets in East London to explore what learning through play can look like when it’s built together and not merely delivered to. 

Through a series of co-designed workshops with caregivers from Thomas Buxton, Bonner, and Cayley primary schools, we asked an important question: What gets in the way of play?  

The answers were heartfelt, honest, and deeply insightful.  

Some caregivers spoke of children being glued to screens, or struggling with short attention spans. Others shared a quiet fear, “What if my child is bored and I don’t know how to help?” 

One recurring theme was nostalgia. Many parents fondly remembered their own childhoods filled with outdoor adventures and games played with stones or string. But for some, those memories weren’t there.  

As one community leader noted, “There are parents and carers who didn’t get to play themselves, so it’s not just about giving children opportunities. It’s about helping adults discover play too.” 

That’s where our Caregiver Workshops came in. Designed using the iOi Experience Model, these sessions offered a light-touch, joyful way to explore imagination through hands-on activities. Whether bonding over a Jitter Bot made from junk materials or planting chia seeds in geometric hanging gardens, caregivers were invited to be curious, collaborative, and, most importantly, imperfect. 

We also recognised that community needs differ, and support must reflect that. That’s why we co-designed with interpreters, listened actively to school staff, and ensured the experience was inclusive and welcoming. At Bonner, where many families speak Bengali at home, our materials were translated, and activities simplified to reduce pressure. At Thomas Buxton, we partnered with pastoral leads and SENCOs who knew families personally and could help build trust. 

We are incredibly proud of the impact our recent Power of Play project has had in Tower Hamlets, funded by the LEGO Foundation. By co-designing these workshops and Tinker Tubs with teachers and caregivers in our hub schools, we made sure the activities truly met families' needs. Witnessing 88% of caregivers leave feeling confident in their ability to support their children's development through play is a testament to the power of providing dedicated time and support to play together and hands-on creativity. 

Jen Luk, Head of Experience at The Institute of Imagination

And we’re not stopping there. We’re introducing the TinkerTub, a set of simple, low-cost take-home activity packs that encourage continued creative learning at home. Designed to be as accessible as possible, each TinkerTub includes bilingual instructions and requires no fancy materials, only curiosity and a bit of time. 

Because at the heart of everything we do is this belief that when caregivers feel confident to play, imagine and explore, their children will too.