Sesame Workshop Launches Sesame Street Educational Play Center

Sesame Workshop has launched the first of five Sesame Street-themed Educational Play Centers (EPCs) in South Korea.

The interactive location-based experiences for young children will foster playful learning. Classes and activities offered include cooking, science, music and dance, art and messy sensory play.

The EPCs feature Sesame Street-themed decor based around the beloved characters and scenery. The first EPC, called the Sesame Street Learn & Play Center, was made in partnership with Seoul-based agency AVECS Creative Group. It is open in the LOTTE Department Store Dongtan in Gyeonggi Province.

“We are thrilled to be launching Sesame Workshop’s first Educational Play Center in South Korea, where Sesame Street has been a beloved and recognized brand for many years,” said Will DePippo, senior director of Asia Pacific at Sesame Workshop. “We know that playful learning boosts academic skills, as well as physical and social-emotional development. Combining our 50-plus years of producing world-renowned educational content and themed attractions with AVECS’ industry-leading expertise in building best-in-class experiential offerings locally, we are expanding our efforts to help South Korean children become creative and engaged learners for life.”

Park Hong-bin, CEO of AVECS Creative Group, added, “ We are excited to partner with Sesame Workshop to present the world’s first Educational Play Center in South Korea. Sesame Street Learn & Play Center is a unique multi-educational play facility for children of all ages—offering fun-filled activities, recreation and play in an environment based on the philosophy of the household education brand that all Koreans love and trust—Sesame Street.”

“Our goal at Sesame Street Learn & Play is for kids to have a positive, playful learning experience, inspiring them to become lifelong learners and helping them thrive in all aspects of their growth,” said Choi Soung-ah, Executive Vice President, AVECS Creative Group. “We want all kids to leave the center feeling like they were successful.”

“South Korea is the first location for what we plan to be a multi-market approach for Sesame Street EPCs,” said Jen Ahearn, VP of strategic partnerships at Sesame Workshop. “We will work with regional partners to customize our proprietary curriculum to adapt to local cultural needs and provide interactive, playful, and learning experiences that encourage children to connect and engage in their world.”