Description:

Flowplay is a toy for children aged 6+ that encourages children to learn about Aotearoa's braided river systems through collaborative play. Flowplay encourages children to foster an emotional connection with nature through outdoor play.

Children use the river paths and the river connectors to construct braided rivers from the mountain, the water source. The modular play system allows the children to use their imagination to build their braided rivers however they choose and allows for customisation, adaptability to different spaces and age groups, and easy modification or expansion of play areas.

Braided rivers are a type of river that form networks of channels that branch and merge together to create its unique braided patterns. Globally, braided rivers are rare, however Aotearoa's unique landscape allows it to be a hotspot for braided rivers, with most coming from the Southern Alps expanding throughout the South Island. Braided rivers are vital ecological corridors that connect the mountains to the sea, providing essential habitats for native biodiversity, such as a huge variety of birds, fish, reptiles, invertebrates, plants, lichens, mosses, and fungi that have adapted to the very specific environments.

Over time, human activity has altered the natural characteristics of braided rivers due to factors such as climate change, river confinement due to land development, flood control measures, water abstraction for irrigation, the introduction of invasive plants and animals and recreational use. Without protecting these rare ecological corridors, many diverse ecosystems, habitats for rare and endangered species, and fair water distribution and resource allocation are at risk

Children forage for materials in the surrounding environments such as sticks to slot into holes in the river connector pieces so they can stand up from the ground and be raised at different heights. String holes allow the paths to be hung from tree branches, bushes or other objects. Holes in the river paths create a challenge that encourages children to use mud, rocks, or leaves to block water from draining out of the holes, fostering tactile and creative play.

Tuna toys made from driftwood are included to float down the completed paths, but children are encouraged to create their own wildlife creatures using surrounding sticks, leaves, and other objects to float down their braided rivers. When interacting and playing with our design, players discover how water flows down from the mountain through numerous channels, such as braided rivers.

The goal is for players to learn how each braided river needs access to the water distribution. Players will learn how each river travels through different environments and on different paths. Ultimately, building paths for the Tuna to travel down. Through our design, players will learn about the unique and special braided rivers and why we must work to protect them.