Copyright

Anna Beresin

Published On

2026-03-05

Page Range

pp. 73–100

Language

  • English

Print Length

28 pages

Sneaky Play

The Maker{Futures} Mobile Maker Space

  • Anna Beresin (author)
Chapter of: Make/Unmake: Play at the Centre of Culture Change (pp. 73–100)

In Sheffield, the Maker{Futures} Mobile Maker Space works as a special visiting STEAM program for schools and community groups. The author volunteered to work with the program in several of their sites and was able to document the sneaky playfulness of going off-script when children were given design challenges. These examples of combinatorial thinking were among the most creative observed in the makerspaces by the staff themselves, and the staff discussed obstacles to playful education programs. Photographs illustrate how the children creatively shifted their activities toward play.

Contributors

Anna Beresin

(author)
Professor Emerita of Psychology and Folklore at University of the Arts
https://www.annaberesin.com

Anna Beresin is professor emerita of psychology and folklore from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She co-edits the International Journal of Play and researches children’s folklore, primate physical play, language play, and the connection between play, culture and art. Her books include Play in a Covid Frame: Everyday Pandemic Creativity in a Time of Isolation, which she co-edited with Julia Bishop, and Recess Battles: Playing, Fighting, and Storytelling. Both books earned the Opie Prize in Children’s Folklore from the American Folklore Society. Currently working on her first children’s book, Anna can be found at www.annaberesin.com.