Families in Rotherham gathered to explore a nature-themed video game trail across the town centre this October half-term, as the National Videogame Museum and Children’s Capital of Culture teamed up for the Plug In & Play festival.
The games were initially drawn up by children in the borough, then their ideas were brought to life by design specialists for the in-person event.
Becky Parry, 56, Creative Learning Manager of Children’s Capital of Culture said: “There were some creative practitioners who went into schools, and asked the children to come up with ideas for games. Then these have been created on a bigger scale for the event, so that other children can play them.”
Children’s Capital of Culture is an organisation that regularly host ‘unique and popular’ events for children and young people who live in South Yorkshire.
Ms Parry said: “Children’s Capital of Culture, more broadly, is an initiative that was devised by young people through consultation. They’re like, ‘we want more arts, we want more culture, we want more things to do, we want a cinema in our town centre’, those kinds of things.
“So this one example came from the interest that young people have in video games. It’s always nice to have events where children and parents can enjoy themselves together.”
The event kicked off at All Saints Square, where children collected a trail map and explored eight different venues, each hosting digital and live-action games with a nature twist.
Ms Parry said: “People have really been talking to us about how this event changed their perceptions of Rotherham.”
Sandra Davis, 36, a parent at the festival, said: “I think Rotherham is quite good at putting stuff on for the kids, and gives them something to do and walk around – they’ve enjoyed it.”
There are more upcoming events by Children’s Capital of Culture in the following weeks. For more information head to their website.