Establishing a Digital Technology Play Space for Children

This paper captures thinking around the design of a technology-focused play space for children that is on a university campus. Drawing upon characteristics of play and the importance of the goals and values that shape contexts, the opportunity to develop a space designed for children’s digital play required careful conceptualization. Children’s museums as spaces where experiences are designed for children to interact with, creativity is fostered alongside developing knowledge, and learning processes were central understanding. As a research team of adults, we have worked to consider, hear, and embrace the potential experiences of children within the space. Along with an account of the underpinning design philosophies, shared in this paper is an initial experience using the space and emerging implications. The paper offers theoretically informed reflections about children’s learning through play that challenge and promote reflection about the ways spaces for children are established.