PlayTalkRead

PlayTalkRead is part of the wider range of support provided for parents and families through the Scottish Government's Parent Club.

PlayTalkRead is aimed at promoting positive parenting in order to give children the best start in life and a strong platform for healthy growth, development and attainment. Smart Play Network is the delivery partner managing and delivering the PlayTalkRead roadshow as well as PathwaysThroughPlay. We visit all 32 Local Authorities throughout the year to support families, practitioners, and children play and read together..

We offer sessions for play, including sensory and messy play, in addition to our storytelling, reading and songs. All our activities are fun, simple and easily replicated at home, all with the aim of encouraging parents and children to enjoy spending time together.

For more information about the PlayTalkRead roadshow, find us on the Parent Club Website.

parentclub.scot

Our Programme

PlayTalkRead
Roadshow

Our PlayTalkRead roadshow has a range of vehicles that travel across all 32 local authorities to promote play and storytelling across Scotland.

PathwaysThroughPlay

PathwaysThroughPlay delivers indoor storytelling and play sessions bespoke to community organisations' spaces.

PlayTalkRead Roadshow

Our roadshow travels all across Scotland. We have a fleet of vehicles designed to access the diverse geographies, so you might expect to see our double decker Benji in the central belt, and our wide-reaching bus Bonnie all the way up in the Highlands and Islands. All of our sessions are free to attend, and are full of great ideas and activities that you can try out with your wee one at home.

The roadshow is for families to explore and learn together: this includes grandparents, parents, children ages 0-4, carers, and legal guardians. Due to capacity, we ask that families attend with up to 2 children and 2 adults at a time. For more info about our buses, check out the "Wave Hello to our Team section below!

Wave 'Hello' to our Team

Benji

Benji is our double-decker drop-in bus. He is often decked out with sensory play and crafts on the ground level, with a softplay and reading area upstairs!

Bonnie

Bonnie is a unique bus with an extendable pod. Her compact size allows her to hop onto ferries to reach all 32 Local Authorities. Bonnie uses a booking system so if you see her in your area check online to see if you can book a spot!

Bubbles

Bubbles is our VIP bus driver and is a great listener. You can leave her a voice message by scanning her QR if you happen to meet her!

Upcoming Tours

Beep Beep Next Stop!
If you would like to find out where we are going next, check out our facebook. All our upcoming roadshow tours are regularly updated there, including session times, availability, and booking links for our booked sessions.

If you have any questions about upcoming tours, please feel free to use the contact forms on our website, or to leave us a message on facebook, and we will do our best to get back to you soon!

If you are a venue or organisation that thinks your community could benefit from a visit from our roadshow, you can also use one of the above contact methods. Please note that our tours visit all 32 local authorities annually, and we have specific funding criteria and high demand meaning we might not have capacity for to visit, but we are always happy for new contacts and partners.

PathwaysThroughPlay

PathwaysThroughPlay is an extension of PlayTalkRead that delivers play sessions themed around books and storytelling. The PTP programme partners closely with community settings such as libraries, nurseries, and community centres.

It does not include use of the buses, but rather emphasises how community settings can use their own spaces creatively to support families with young children. Please note that PTP operates under specific funding criteria and cannot accommodate sessions such as parties or private groups.