Remember Playing As A Kid?
Imagine if networking with adults was just as good!
Most of us started our first relationships with people outside of our family as toddlers in a local playgroup. We learnt to play with others, to connect, form friendships, to have fun, to share, negotiate with others, communicate and find out how to be ourselves with others. Somewhere along the way as we grew up we lost the art of playing together.
At Big Play Group, we’re bringing back those childhood vibes for big kids who still believe in the power of play.
We know attending conferences and events where networking is expected can feel daunting, overwhelming or simply not add the value you are after. Whether you’re an introvert, neurodivergent, socially drained or just someone who finds small talk awkward, it can be hard to make meaningful connections in a sea of name tags and business cards. That’s where we come in.
When there’s something playful to join in on, like a game or a free build activity, the pressure fades. You don’t have to force conversation. You don’t have to stand around pretending to check your phone. You just play. And through play, conversations evolve naturally. Introductions happen with ease. You connect without even realising it.
Why Play Matters
Play isn’t a reward or a distraction, it’s how we learn to be with one another. At Big Play Group, we’ve seen it transform awkward rooms into buzzing spaces of connection, creativity and ease. Whether you’re leading a team, meeting someone new, or just trying to feel like you belong, play creates the conditions where trust and authenticity thrive. It’s not about being childish, it’s about being fully human.
“Play doesn’t take us away from the work – it shows us how to do it better, together.”
And in a world that’s often rushed, rigid and disconnected, making space for play might just be the most radical thing you can do.
Big Play Group creates roaming play zones at conferences, workplace events, leadership retreats and community festivals. We set up inclusive, welcoming spaces full of LEGO, board games, reinvented card games and curated conversation starters. You can join in at your own pace for as long or as little as you like, try something new or just watch, there’s no judgment, no expectations, just a freedom to be yourself and rediscover the joy of play.
Our philosophy is simple, adults need play just as much as kids do.
Play builds trust. It lowers stress. It boosts creativity and connection. It gives people the freedom to drop the roles they’re performing and be real. It’s one of the greatest tools we have to foster belonging, and experts in both workplace wellbeing and community psychology agree.
We design every Big Play Group space with choice and accessibility in mind. You’ll never be forced to participate. Instead, we make sure there are clear entry points, sensory friendly options, and a non intimidating atmosphere. Our trained facilitators create a safe space where everyone, no matter their background or communication style, can feel welcome.
And while it’s fun (and it is), it’s also strategic. Organisations are increasingly looking for new ways to help people connect meaningfully at events. Big Play Group offers a fresh, engaging solution that leaves participants smiling, talking, and remembering your event for all the right reasons.
Because when you’re sitting across from someone building the world’s most magnificent LEGO creation watching what the community builds over the duration of the event, or laughing through a cheeky reinvention of a childhood card game, you’re not networking, you’re connecting. And that’s what really matters.
Put your adult concerns aside.
Come play like you did when you were four.
We’d love to bring Big Play Group to your next event. Ask us about our flexible packages and custom experiences. Whether you’re planning a multi day conference, a one off leadership day or a creative networking night, we’ll help you make it joyful, inclusive and fun.
Because play works.
Because connection matters.
Because deep down, we’re all still those little kids who just want to be invited to play.
If you would like to read our article on play, click here. Or check out one of our events here.
