In a similar spirit to the Snuggle Plays, a Tinker Play can be performed at home with your wee ones taking the lead role in the fun. Each play incorporates things to do involving nature, tinkering, adventuring and general creative shenanigans. The plays are short creative sparks for your day that may inspire all sorts of summer in-joy-nuity.
The Papa is Lava
The Papa is Lava is not a parenting remake of the Netflix game show, for the record. It’s a Tinker Play that focuses on a household that’s doing some isolation organization, and how sometimes that can be a little stressful. Geddy, our protagonist, is a very quirky kid who takes inspiration from a new friend & makes his backyard into a Parkour course. This Tinker Play encourages kids to build, get physical, and get outside. It has minimal dad jokes. No Netflix subscription is required to enjoy. It is best performed with a cast of 3 to 4 actors and should last about 15 minutes (unless you take huge breaks for building, which is encouraged).
If you like the piece, please share your experience on social media using #TinkerPlays and #ThePapaIsLava.
The Calculator!!
The Calculator is a play that earns its two exclamation points as it follows two siblings, Ant and Yarrow, as they build forts, sandcastles, and travel through time. After Ant breaks their arm at the skatepark, an old calculator gives them the magical power to adventure wherever they like across time and space. This Tinker Play gets kids playing outside, building forts and castles, and sketching designs. It’s best performed with a cast of 2 to 3 actors and should last about 15 minutes (unless you take big breaks for the tinkering, which is encouraged).
If you like the piece, please share your experience on social media using #TinkerPlays and #TheCalculator!!.
Tin-ja
Have you ever really wanted something? Maybe it’s something that lets you feel a bit more grown up. Tin-ja is a short play about that exact thing. Jinx wants a phone. But Jinx is a tinkerer and uses innovation & creativity to prove a point. This Tinker Play shows a kid taking their parent on a scavenger hunt that involves tin can telephone building and connecting with your friends and neighbours during a pandemic. It’s best performed with a cast of 2 to 3 actors and should last about 15 minutes (unless you take big breaks for the tinkering, which is encouraged).
If you like the piece, please share your experience on social media using #TinkerPlays and #Tinja.
Rumpus
Have you ever worried that people might forget your birthday? Or, perhaps worse, have you ever worried that you would plan a party and no one would come? Rumpus tells the story of Mo who has just moved to a new neighbourhood and (guess what!) it’s his birthday. Rumpus is a story of creativity, ingenuity, and neighbourly love, as the whole block comes together to build instruments and put on a parade in Mo’s honour. Get together with the whole family and read this exciting and joyful take of birthdays in the time of Covid-19. There are even some special Easter eggs for those who love Maurice Sendak’s Where The Wild Things Are, too. Rumpus is best performed with a cast of 3-4 and should take about 15 minutes (unless you take big breaks for instrument and party tinkering, which is encouraged!). Let the Wild Rumpus begin!
If you like the piece, please share your experience on social media using #TinkerPlays and #Rumpus.
Brendon Allen 