Play bus

"Playbus" redirects here. For the television program formerly called Playbus, see Playdays.

Northern Counties Palatine bodied Leyland Olympian in October 2013

Leyland Atlantean AN68 in July 2013

A play bus (or playbus or learning bus) is a bus used for providing a mobile facility for a variety of activities surrounding entertainment and education, usually for children of pre-school or school age.

Play buses are specially converted for their purpose, usually from second hand vehicles, although occasionally are purpose built by a bus manufacturer. Play buses can be of any size, from minibuses to double-deckers, and may be operated by charities, education authorities or as private businesses. The latter particularly market their services as a mobile party venue for children's birthday celebrations and the like.

Depending on usage and fittings, play buses may provide mobile playgrounds, gymnasiums, library services, or education centres as a mobile classroom.

In the United Kingdom, the National Playbus Association is a charity that provides support and advice to organisations, wishing to operate play buses. Formed in 1969, it is now supported by various government departments.

See also

• Bookmobile
• Biobus

External links

• Working on Wheels (the working title of National Playbus in the UK) Archived 2016-10-31 at the Wayback Machine