POP Playground! for families opens at V&A Dundee
Small and big kids alike can enjoy a summer of free events at V&A Dundee inspired by Japanese pop culture.
From popular Nintendo video games characters to cute plush toys, comic creations and origami making, POP Playground! offers daily design activities for the whole family from 6 July until 4 August.
POP Playground! can be found upstairs at V&A Dundee in the Thomson Learning Centre, where families can try their hand at designing manga style comics, making kimonos or beautiful folded origami with designers on-hand to help with the creative process.
Japanese-inspired video game Journey will be available to play on a big screen and there are lots of fun characters to play with, from traditional kokeshi wooden dolls to modern cute characters and iconic retro toys. 100% Gaming magazine has created special activity sheets inspired by classic characters from games such as Super Mario and Pokémon.
Tracey Smith, learning programme producer at V&A Dundee, says: “Japanese culture in the 1990s was a global phenomenon and has remained so familiar because it's been integrated into contemporary video games, toys and fashion and so many of the different design forms you see every day.
“POP Playground! is a lively space for families to enjoy together, experiencing new things, learning new skills and having fun. It's a Japanese design themed space that offers lots of colour, joy and play.”
“We hope the fun resources will also spark some creative ideas for visitors. All the toys and books are a great resource for inspiration – then you can choose what you want to do whether it's making a comic, creating a piece of origami or maybe you might want to make something to wear.”
POP Playground! is one of many free events at V&A Dundee made possible by the support of players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.
POP Playground! runs alongside V&A Dundee’s current exhibition Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk, which follows the kimono’s journey from 17th century Japan to present-day fashion. Admission to the exhibition is free for age 18 and under.
For more information about free family activities at V&A Dundee please go to: 15 Free Family-friendly things to do at V&A Dundee this summer
