Let’s hear from Golf – Krisana Somboon, Assistant Play Experience Manager at PlanToys, as he shares his perspective on the power of play.

What led you to join the play experience team at PlanToys?
I’ve always worked with children. Before joining PlanToys, I was an activities leader, which made me realize how much I enjoy playing and interacting with kids. When I saw an opening for the role of Play Manager on a job site, it immediately caught my attention because of my existing interest in children and play. The word “play” was particularly appealing, as I had never encountered a similar role before. Eventually, I became part of the Play Experience team at PlanToys.

Our goal is to create meaningful play experiences for children. Every time I organize activities or play with kids, it brings me immense happiness. I want children to feel the same joy during these activities because I believe that even brief moments of quality play can positively impact their growth and development.

How does play help build a better world?
Play is a crucial factor in helping children grow and develop appropriately. It’s similar to how exercise benefits adults by strengthening both physical and mental health. However, play goes further by fostering proper developmental growth in children. That’s why PlanToys prioritizes creating positive play experiences. When children engage in quality play, they develop well and grow into capable adults. Having competent adults leads to stronger communities and a better world. It’s like the butterfly effect—the simple act of playing with a toy in childhood can ripple outward to create lasting positive change.

How do you design play activities that include and benefit every child?
Whenever we design an activity, we start by defining the target age group because children at different developmental stages have varying needs and abilities. For events that cater to a wide age range, we think about inclusive spaces like our Forest of Play, which offers diverse activities. This setup allows kids to choose activities based on their interests and developmental needs.

If resources weren’t a limit, what play experiences would you create?
I would create activities that involve everyone in society, helping them recognize the value of play. Quality play happens when everyone collaborates—parents prioritize playing with their kids, grandparents learn how to engage with their grandkids, and teachers incorporate fun learning activities. Achieving this requires consistent effort and societal participation. For example, i’d love to see permanent or rotating exhibitions where participants can actively engage in play, inspiring them to apply these experiences in their daily lives to create positive change.

What are your most memorable moments at PlanToys?
I cherish moments when customers, especially parents or grandparents, share stories about how they’ve used PlanToys since their childhood and passed them down to the next generation. It makes me proud to be part of a company that fosters such lasting family connections. Another unforgettable experience was organizing activities for refugee children under UNHCR’s care. After one event, a child gave me a handmade doll and a note that said, “You are the best teacher in the world.” It was incredibly heartwarming! (laughs)

What challenges do you face in creating meaningful play experiences?
The main challenge is ensuring every child feels included. Participation doesn’t mean every child has to do the same activity at the same time. Children have different learning styles—some prefer hands-on activities, while others enjoy listening or observing from a distance. Our role is to ensure each child receives the appropriate attention and stimulation to happily engage in our activities.