Toys of the World: Larissa chooses the playful approach to promote integration and social cohesion.

Playful Paradigm in action in Larissa (GR), one of cities of our network. The playful approach offers unique opportunities for promoting social inclusion. Larissa applies the Good Practice using game as important tools for integration and social cohesion.

The Self Care/Mutual Aid program run by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki organises activities called “Toys of Worlds” in Larissa. During the Summer Camp Program, educators, psychologists, sociologists highlighted the value and importance of the game, as a factor in preventing antisocial behaviour in children. "Toys of the World" are wooden, traditional, hand-made games from different cultures around the world suitable and addressed to people of all ages.

Through play, “Toys of the World” promotes communication and interaction between different generations and cultures. Indeed, the game also allows us to know other cultures, giving us information about the historical context and the symbolic dimension associated with its creation.

Two workshops, organised by ‘’Rapsani Hostel’’, took place where the toys were created from recycled materials.

The last meeting “Toys of the World” was in the Open Structure for Refugees in Karytsa (Regional Unit of Larissa) an hour drive away from city of Larissa.