About Us

Hackney Playbus was set up in 1972 and became a registered charity in 1998.

Hackney Playbus is a mobile play project for young children. We run the service from two brightly painted double decker buses, both fully converted for early years play.

Our aim is to take fun, freely chosen, creative and safe play opportunities to young children, through which they can develop confidence and skills that will lay the foundation for learning.

Both buses are well equipped for exploratory and creative play. There are sand pits for digging and tables for play dough or games. We have an art area where children can enjoy drawing, gluing, printing and crafts like model and mask making.  We have easels for painting and big cushions for climbing and tumbling with a soft landing. Upstairs, both buses are carpeted with a home corner suitable for role play, dressing up or doing puzzles and playing with a range of toys.

During the summer we offer outdoor activities including a trampoline, a water canal system, bikes and hoops.

Hackney Playbus reviews each project with its funding partner to discuss barriers to inclusion and how we can address them. We try to ensure that our resources are culturally appropriate and in relevant languages.

We have toys to help children with special needs develop their sensory skills and to stimulate their learning. Hackney Playbus works to promote the self confidence and self esteem that gives our children the best hope for inclusion and achievement. All children under five and their parents and carers are welcome on our playbus!