Welsh bus stops install interactive games 'as a space for a child's imagination to run wild'

For the next two weeks, bus stops across Wales will offer a space for children's imagination to run wild, with interactive games and exposing them to a richness of cultures.

As part of the wider 'Play Wales' Summer of Play' campaign, bus shelters are encouraging adults and parents to give children the time and space to play freely in their communities.

The newly improved bus stops have been set up in Cardiff, Llanelli, Wrexham, Port Talbot and Colwyn Bay.

It comes after lockdown restrictions have had a huge impact on kid's lives, limiting the amount of time they can play with their friends.

Ali Abdi, Audience Lead for the initiative, said: "Over the past 18 months, children haven't been able to go out and play and so the campaign focuses on children particularly."

"You can be waiting for the bus outside homes or near local community shops, which is one of the most mundane environments, and there's an opportunity to experience safe play at that bus stop."

"These bus stops show that you don't need money to encourage children to play, you just need the space to allow a child's imagination to run wild."

The campaign also places a focus on diversity across Wales.

One Butewown stop captures a range of cultures whilst welcoming kids to play an interactive spot-the-difference game.

"Shwmae Tre-biwt"

"Hello Butetown"

"As-Salaam-Alaikum Butetown"

"With that placement of Welsh, English and Arabic, it really brings home the diversity and rich culture of those communities."

"Butetown is home to families from Yemen and Somaliland and so Arabic for instance is first nature to those communities."

"Having the greeting of 'As-Salaam-Alaikum, Butetown' in English, Welsh and Arabic is really special."

The welcome greeting encourages children to play the interactive games and understand a little more about the communities they're in.

Marianne Mannello, Assistant Director at Play Wales said: “After a challenging year and a half, it’s time for children and teenagers to have plenty of opportunities to play and have fun with their friends in villages, towns and cities across Wales."

"As part of our Summer of Play campaign, our imaginative colourful bus stops remind us all as adults that play can happen anytime and anywhere - in a park, garden or even at the bus stop!"

"Giving children chances to play out in their local area with friends and family is important for their physical and mental health as well as their social skills. Playing out helps build children’s resilience, independence and helps them to get to know their neighbourhood."