Our play partners at Plavi Svijet, translated as Blue World, are bringing the power of unstructured, loose-parts play to children in Croatia. Established in September 2020, Blue World was created around the belief that quality play is essential to children’s growth, creativity, social development, and lifelong learning.
Originally designed as a daily playroom for children, Blue World has grown into a vibrant destination for open-ended play, birthday parties, creative workshops, and STEM-inspired activities using Imagination Playground Big Blue Blocks. Through hands-on block play, children are encouraged to build, experiment, collaborate, solve problems, and express themselves in new ways.
In addition to its playroom programs, Blue World serves as the Imagination Playground representative in Croatia, helping businesses, kindergartens, schools, and organizations bring Big Blue Blocks into their own learning and play environments. The company also participates in community events, fairs, and socially beneficial activities throughout the region to promote child-led play and introduce children to foundational STEM concepts through active, imaginative exploration.
At Blue World, the team believes one of the most powerful benefits of Big Blue Blocks is their versatility. Rather than guiding children toward one fixed idea or solution, the blocks encourage creative thinking, unconventional problem-solving, and collaborative discovery. As a Blue World representative explains, “In Blue World, everything is possible, and children can be whoever they want to be.”
Blue World first purchased its Big Blue Blocks with co-financing from the European Union and continues to invite companies and organizations across Central and Eastern Europe to experience Imagination Playground firsthand. For their team, the best way to understand the value of Big Blue Blocks is to see, touch, and play with them in person.
What is your organization’s name and where is it located?
Our organization’s name is Plavi svijet, or in translation – Blue World! We are located in Croatia.
Tell us a little bit about your organization!
The foundation of Blue World is loose-part, unstructured play. We believe that quality play is extremely important for the growth and development of every child. In Blue World’s playroom, children can engage in creative play that helps them develop intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically. Following these principles and children’s interests and play dynamics, Blue World is continually developing new educational programs through play, as well as organizing fun family events for children and their parents.
Does your country use/implement loose-part play differently from other parts of the world?
We haven’t noticed that Croatia uses loose-part play much differently from other parts of the world, but what we have noticed is that this type of play is still not that popular among public children-oriented attractions and programs (museums, playrooms etc.), as it is in kindergartens. Due to the lack of unstructured play in general, we have decided to spread the word about its importance and have been trying to implement it in all kinds of activities for children ever since.
How long has your organization had Imagination Playground Blocks?
We purchased our first set of Imagination Playground Blue Blocks in 2019 and they have served as the foundation for free, unstructured play for children ever since.
How did the organization initially fund the blocks?
Blue World implements the project “Innovative service – Creative Playroom Blue World“ and is co-financed by the European Union from the European Regional Development Fund through the Call for Project Proposals for Innovations by newly established SMEs. Therefore, the initial purchase of the blocks was funded through this project.
How did the organization initially hear about Imagination Playground?
A friend of our founders saw information about Imagination Playground on the Internet, and he shared it with them. It was the perfect fit for their business idea.
What are some examples of ways the organization uses the Blue Blocks?
Blue World organizes various activities for children with Blue Blocks. It was initially founded as a creative playroom that offers daily play for children, but also organizes birthday parties with block play as their main activity. The best way to learn is through play, which is why Blue World offers various thematically organized workshops to help children develop basic STEM skills and express themselves. We offer workshops for children over 4 years old, based on topics that are crucial in preparing children for life: math, language and expression, creativity, and understanding the basics of science.
What are the children’s favorite aspects of using the Blue Blocks?
Children’s favorite aspect of using the Blue Blocks is probably their versatility – the Blocks engage imaginative thinking and creativity. They don’t bond children to just one idea or solution, but encourage them to think ‘outside the box’, in creative and unconventional ways.
What would you tell another organization that was considering purchasing Imagination Playground Blocks?
Don’t just consider it – go for it! Imagination Playground blocks have so many benefits for children in every aspect of their development – physical, psychological, social. Wouldn’t it be a great idea to offer children (and their parents!) the simplest way of playing and getting amazing results from it?
Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience with Blue Blocks?
In our experience, the best way to understand the value of Big Blue Blocks is to see and feel them in action! Therefore, we are inviting companies and organizations in Central and Eastern Europe to contact us for a hands-on experience of Big Blue Blocks in our attractive playroom in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. Furthermore, we can set up our pop-up playground anywhere in Central and Eastern Europe!
Considering Big Blue Blocks for Your School or Community Space?
Imagination Playground’s Big Blue Blocks are used in schools, museums, parks, libraries, and community spaces around the world to create engaging environments for collaborative, open-ended play.
If you’re considering Big Blue Blocks for your school, park, museum, or community space, schedule a consultation with our team to explore the right play solution for your environment.