CHARITY organisation Smart Play Network parked their fun activity bus in Alloa as part of their Benji Bonanza week.

The bus (Benji) is a haven for little ones as it boasts an impressive selection of books, arts and crafts, and messy play.

The team stopped by locations in Glasgow and Edinburgh before making their way to Clackmannanshire on Friday, August 2.

Benji (and other vehicles and services available) is part of the Scottish Government’s PlayTalkRead initiative.

It manages and delivers this initiative and work for Smart Play Network.

Explaining more about the organisation, spokesperson Jenny Macfarlane said: “PlayTalkRead is a Scottish Government initiative.

“We have this vehicle and smaller vehicles [which] tour the whole of Scotland.”

PlayTalkRead’s Benji is free to attend. It lets the wee ones have fun while parents can pick up ideas for low cost and easy to do activities that will keep them entertained.

On the bus, kids can try out a variety of activities that allow parents to be included in their child’s playtime.

Benji’s activities are aimed at families with children aged between zero to four.

PlayTalkRead’s vehicles usually spend a week within a local authority and park up at various places each day, such as a supermarket, a community centre, or a library.

Jenny continued: “It’s a safe space for families with under fours to come on, have some fun, and take away cost-effective arts and crafts ideas.”

Benji was kept busy at Asda Alloa carpark with 36 families visiting within the first few hours. 

Jenny added: “Everyone’s stayed on [the bus] for ages. It’s been very busy today – a nice turnout.”

PlayTalkRead can be found on FaceBook (Play with PTR) where they post upcoming locations for Benji and their other vehicles.