A castle, a super-sized light saber and miniature car wash lit the imagination of Polk County kids — despite torrential rain outside — at the recent Polk County Pop Up Play, sponsored by Partnership for Children of the Foothills, which took place last Sunday.

Parents braved the rain to give their children a chance to try non-traditional play using the loose part play principle. During play, loose parts materials were moved, carried, combined, redesigned, lined up and taken apart and put back together in multiple ways.

This style of play was not directed, and allows children to use their imagination. The two-hour session sped by as the children ran, built and laughed.

The event was held in partnership with the Tryon Seventh-day Adventist Church.

– Submitted by Desiree Magnant