June Pop Up Play Workshop: Build it Up: Designing Creative Play Spaces

Inspired Minds ECC Pop-Up Play Workshops are in-person, intentionally designed professional-learning experiences offered four times a year in communities around Edmonton. These workshops are hands-on, interactive, and reflective, inviting educators to actively engage in play, explore materials, and participate in meaningful professional dialogue. Pop-Up Play Workshops are designed to be accessible and impactful, offering practical strategies that can be immediately applied in early learning environments.

With a focus on play-based pedagogy, children’s rights, and educator well-being, Pop-Up Play Workshops provide a welcoming space to connect, reflect, and re-ignite joy in practice—without the commitment of a full conference or long-term series. Whether you’re exploring sensory play,  intentional environments, outdoor learning,  or educator wellness, each Pop-Up Play Workshop offers a fresh opportunity to connect with play and community.

📅 Pop-Up Play Workshop Schedule

🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• Saturday, June 13 | Build it Up: Designing Creative Play Spaces | 📍 Location: TBA
  • Build it up! Knock it down! Build something new! Our block spaces are one of the most popular play spaces in our environment for many children. It’s a space for children to express their creativity, problem-solve, engage in different types of play and recreate the world around them. Here is where our engineers, landscape architects, architects, artists, urban designers and construction workers are discovered! Children are amazing at creating the world around them and a world they imagine when they are given the time, space and tools to do so! Let’s support this creative outlet by reflecting on our block spaces and how they embrace the image of the child. What materials do we provide that nurture their interests here? How can we extend on these interests? From carpet samples, to types of blocks, to complimentary pieces, the possibilities are endless when we create responsive block spaces. Block spaces go beyond wooden blocks, people, cars and animals…there is so much more! Join us as we explore some unique ways to enhance your block space to allow children to express themselves, discover and PLAY!

• Saturday, September 12| Listening to the Land: Deepening Nature Play Through Land-Based and Place-Based Practices | 📍 Location: TBA
• Saturday, November 28 | Exploring Hygge: Creating Spaces that Foster Happiness, a Sense of Belonging and Togetherness | 📍 Location: TBA

✨ What to Expect

When you join an Inspired Minds ECC Pop-Up Play Workshop, you can expect:

• In-person, hands-on learning rooted in play-based practice
• A focused topic at each pop-up, inspired by educator interests and current trends
• Interactive play experiences using open-ended materials and invitations to play
• Reflective discussions and collaborative professional dialogue
• Practical strategies & take-away ideas you can use right away
• A welcoming, supportive environment that values curiosity, connection, and joy
• Connection with educators from your local community and beyond
• Light snacks to keep the energy going

📝 Things You Should Know

• Pre-registration is required for all Pop-Up Play Workshops. Registration closes 48 hours in advance.
• All registrations are non-refundable. Ticket transfers to another person may be permitted with advance notice.
• Approved for Professional Development (PD) Funding and Release Time Funding for eligible participants.
• Certificates of Participation are provided upon completion of a post-workshop feedback survey.
• Limited spaces available to support hands-on learning and meaningful discussion.
• Doors open 15 minutes early for check-in and settling in.
• On-site sign-in is required for all participants. Please arrive early to allow time for check-in before the workshop begins.
• Comfortable clothing recommended, as workshops involve movement and play.
• Bring a water bottle (and a notebook if you like to jot ideas).
• Photos may be taken for Inspired Minds ECC social media and promotional use (opt-out option available).
• Content is not recorded, as learning is experiential and in-person.
• E-transfers to be sent to tina@inspiredmindsecc.ca