The power of role-play: Boosting development for children in Christchurch
Introduction to role-play
Role play is a powerful way for children to learn, grow, and connect, and in Christchurch, Tiny Town’s mobile role-play village brings this new concept to life. Designed for tamariki from confident walkers to age 6 (though all ages are welcome if parents see benefits), Tiny Town offers engaging sessions at public venues, parties, schools, and preschool workshops across Canterbury. Guided by our pillars: Play, learn, connect, our tiny adventure creates a joyful space where children and families spark creativity and build bonds through a taste of Aotearoa play.
Imagination, language development & social skills
Why role-play matters for children
Role play lets tamariki explore imaginative worlds, building essential skills for early development. At a Tiny Town session, children take on roles like shopkeepers or firefighters, reaping these key benefits:
Creativity and imagination: Pretending to be a vet or café owner encourages children to invent stories, boosting creative thinking.
Social skills: Interacting in settings like a post office teaches tamariki to share, collaborate, and communicate with peers and adults.
Language development: Engaging in scenarios, such as running a grocery store, expands children’s vocabulary and storytelling abilities.
Emotional growth: Acting out roles helps tamariki process emotions, build empathy (e.g., caring for animals in the vet clinic), and gain confidence.
Motor skills: Handling wooden toys, riding ride-on cars, or pushing prams and wheelbarrows across the town enhances children’s fine and gross motor development.
These benefits shine as children lead their adventures in a safe, engaging environment.
Supporting development during a role-play session
Parents can enhance these benefits by actively engaging with tamariki at a role-play session. Here are ways to support development:
Encourage exploration: Let children choose roles, like a firefighter or café worker, and ask open-ended questions like “What are you buying today?” to spark imagination.
Model interaction: Play along as a customer or patient to model social skills, helping tamariki learn cooperation.
Build vocabulary: Introduce words tied to the play section (e.g., “stethoscope” in the vets) to enrich children’s language skills.
Celebrate emotions: Acknowledge feelings during play, like excitement or frustration, to support emotional growth and empathy.
Support physical play: Guide children to use props, ride on cars, or push prams and wheelbarrows safely across the town, boosting motor skills while keeping play fun.
Active participation turns playtime into a rich learning and bonding experience.
Model interaction, supporting play
How Tiny Town fosters connection
As a new concept in Christchurch, Tiny Town creates a welcoming environment for children and families to connect. Our family owned mobile role-play town, packed into a van, sets up across Canterbury with features that bring people together in a New Zealand inspired setting celebrating local culture with a taste of Aotearoa play and touches of te reo Māori:
Space to play: Our 10-section village offers ample room for tamariki to explore freely, ensuring an uncrowded experience.
Easy to navigate: The village is thoughtfully laid out, making it simple for children and parents to move between play areas.
Limited tickets: Capping attendance keeps sessions intimate, allowing children and parents to engage deeply and make precious memories.
No chairs (except for snacks & rests): We limit chairs, except for snack breaks, to encourage parents to join role play, fostering family bonds.
Low-volume music: Soft background music creates a warm atmosphere without overpowering conversations, helping families connect naturally.
These elements make Tiny Town sessions a unique opportunity for shared play.
Space to play, minimal big chairs… but lots of little ones.
Bring Tiny Town to your next event
Tiny Town’s 10 play sections are ideal for birthday parties, school and preschool workshops, or community festivals across Canterbury. As New Zealand’s only family owned mobile role-play village, we deliver a sustainable, high-quality wooden play experience, perfect for tamariki from confident walkers to age 6 (or any age you feel will benefit). Contact our Town Mayor Bridget to book. Visit www.tinytown.nz to check availability, and follow us on Instagram & Facebook @tinytown.nz for play tips and updates.
