About
Sparky Do Dah is my alter-ego. His energy is boundless, his passion contagious and outlook always positive.
For the rest of the time I am Nigel Coates.
I often say; Sparky brings in the bucks, and Nigel balances the books.
Together, we have had an amazing adventure. We created a dream job, which is rewarding in so many ways, allowing us to follow our passions as we make our way.
How Sparky Came To Be
In 2011 I faced some personal health issues after prolonged exposure to mould. It stopped my life in its tracks, and I had to re-evaluate my existence and build it again from scratch. This battle made me very aware of the foods we consume (as a society), and what we do to give us pleasure. I became terribly disheartened by the community events that only offered children the “fairy floss, face painting, jumping Castle” combo, because there is proof undeniable that it’s unhealthy and there was nothing physically or mentally developmental in the experience.
Parents spent their time in lines or passively watching, then dealing with the sugar crash. I couldn’t understand why nothing of actual quality was offered, so made it my mission to create what I believed would be the perfect community event. My health was poor and energy low, so Sparky was born. Nothing could stop Sparky… ‘Do’ is his middle name!
Sparky’s Carnival
My first event was held in July of 2012. It was a Creative Arts Carnival at the Tallebudgera Valley Community Hall. There was an entry fee to get in, and then every activity was included. Parents knew exactly how much they were going to spend, and their children could do every activity they wished. I had gathered a wide range of small businesses that had a focus of childhood healthy development. They loved the opportunity to promote their services to hundreds of people. It was a celebration of community spirit and although it was a humble beginning, the feedback was amazing.
I held 5 Sparky’s Carnivals in this format, at varied locations all over the Gold Coast, gaining the treasured attention and support of Gold Coast City Council and even landing the front page of the paper. Each event grew from the foundations of the previous and turned into something unique and amazing.
Please click Sparky’s Carnival for more insight into this stage of my business and videos from the events.
Event Entertainment
The next phase came after repeated requests to attend the events held by others. I had always been handy in a workshop, and had a love critical thinking and creative design, so building my own activities was a natural progression that allowed me to thrive. I would work an event and think, ‘This is good, but what activity is missing that would make it better?’ And then I would design and create and add it to the kit and think, ‘This is good, but what activity is missing that would make it better?’
I could fill my van with stilts, juggling sticks, hula hoops, wobble boards, and a range of activities and games to suit toddlers to adults. I was now getting booked at the same community events that frustrated me into action in the beginning, creating a free space, with no ques, where families could play together. I was always flat out from start to finish; adults connecting with their inner child and children trying developmental activities for the first time.
Creating ‘Pop-Up Playgrounds’ has been the core of my business and I have now worked at an amazing number and variety of events. I am booked repeatedly as my services are unique, and the experiences we offer to attendees are beyond compare.
Please click Event Entertainment for more information, including; the activities I have created, the events we have worked, and how we can tailor and create an amazing Pop-Up Playground for you.
Birthday Parties
Parents started latching onto my arm at public events and begging ‘Please, Please, Please could you do this for our next birthday party?’ It was never an intended direction – but the demand for birthday parties went through the roof! At every party I would attend, there were 30 other mums and dads looking on amazed at what an incredible party it was. The parents of the birthday star could relax and know that the entertainment was sorted. They could actually enjoy the experience and chat with friends and take photos. Their praise and feedback was always glowing. I was turning down ten times more parties than I could handle.
Again, the same benefits applied. My activities catered to all ages, and allowed the children to direct their own experience. I would also run activities like Tug-of-War, sack races, egg and spoon races, and engage each child with my enthusiasm and passion for their healthy development.
After a number of great years I ceased to offer them for 3 reasons. Firstly, parents were booking me 9 months out for a 2 hour party, and I had to turn down 5 hour bookings from council who were requesting dates 6 weeks out. Those double ups became so frequent, it didn’t make good business sense. Secondly, having done hundreds of parties, there was nothing new for me to discover or explore about myself or the environment. My effort started to transition from a passion into a job. And lastly, the reason that started breaking my heart was the food at some parties.
Some kids, at some parties, were eating a weeks-worth of sugar in half an hour. They were always bright-eyed, attentive and helpful when I would arrive, and as soon as they got on that sugar roller coaster they would lose focus, forget manners, squabble, have melt downs over nothing, and the parents that thought ‘it was funny to watch’ were the ones who expected me to handle the madness alone. I’ve seen kids maliciously hurt others, hide under tables ghostly white with the sweats, run down the street in a confused panic because they couldn’t handle their emotions and more then several times vomit, only to wipe their chin and go back to the lolly table for more. As if the party-rush isn’t enough, they are given a lolly bag as they leave.
When mums would call me to enquire about parties and I started wanting to ask, ‘What are your thoughts on blowing the heads off the children who you are inviting into your care?’ I knew it was time to draw the line.
All that said; Birthday Parties also gave me some of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. To be welcomed into a family environment, trusted to work with groups of friends, and praised for doing an amazing job is a real thrill that warmed my heart. I’m not against putting out sweet treats and eating a cup cake covered in icing… 90% of my parties got the balance just right. It was the 10% with nothing but coke and lollies that got to me.
FYI, not once did I hear a child ever say, ‘Delightful party, pity about the food’, most kids opted for carrot sticks and dips over handfuls of gummy bears when both were offered, water is just fine as a drink when kids are running around, and kids prefer a small present they can play with in the car ride home than a party bag full of more lollies. I don’t mean any disrespect to the mums of the parties I’ve worked offering nothing but junk food; it’s just that I have chosen to re-align with my original motivation for starting my business – working with children in healthy and developmental ways.
Vacation Care
For a time I offered Vacation Care Incursions on the Gold Coast, but it has been several years since my last visit. The primary reason is that my School Holiday Program has grown to fill my every day, and I was connection with Vacation Care kids as many would visit my Pop-Up Playgrounds as an excursion.
School Incursions
I have delivered many Incursions to Primary and High Schools in South-East Queensland.
I have created Pop-Ups to suit year level Graduation Days, Under 8’s Days, Wellness Days, Sports Carnivals, School Discos, Movie Nights, Carnivals and Fates. Each one is tailored to the age and number of the children, the available space, and for what your goals are for the experience.
Please click School Incursions for information on what we can provide to you.
Nature Play
Nature Play QLD approached the Active and Healthy department of City of Gold Coast and said similar to; “We want to promote the benefits of Nature Play to Gold Coast kids, what can we do?” I had been providing Pop-Up Playgrounds for the Active and Healthy team for some time and was different to many of the providers on their books. Most had a core business or fixed establishment, such as; karate, soccer, yoga, or fitness as examples. Integrating the ideals of Nature Play into their defined program was a challenge. I was more versatile. Every event I worked was different.
Active and Healthy called me and asked, “What could I do that was nature based?” I had spent the morning swimming at Burleigh and walking around the headland, so it sprang to mind. I tentatively replied, “Take a group of kids for a walk over Burleigh Hill?” “Great! What else have you got?” “Ummm, along a mangrove Boardwalk?” “Great! What else have you got?” “Ok… leave it with me and I’ll get back to you with all my ideas.” And that was the start of my Natural Adventures.
I have now worked with thousands of children, for 5 different councils in South East Queensland, connecting kids with nature, opening their minds to the wonders of the world, instilling a love of learning and helping them to understand the importance of Less Screen Time and More Green Time.
I am an approved Nature Play QLD Activity Provider, have been nominated for 2 Outdoors Queensland Awards, and have run a workshop at National Symposium.
Please click Nature Play for more information on my Natural Adventure program.
Forest School
In a time when many kindergartens are pushing to get toddlers ‘school ready’, and primary and high schools are ‘teaching for exams’ as they are burdened by the quantifiable demands of Naplan, Forest School offers an amazing opportunity for students to self-direct their learnings, self-asses risks, and experience a variety of situations that allow them to grow into functional and successful adults.
Naplan supposes that literacy and numeracy are the 2 pillars of success, when in fact, a variety of traits such as; effective communication, teamwork, leadership, passion, creative thought, critical thinking, determination and flexibility are what matter most. But these skills are hard to teach in a classroom as they are concepts that are best explored through experience. Forest School provides those opportunities.
I was the first male in Australia (in a course with 29 females!) to become a Level 3 Forest School Leader. The trainers came out from England, and adapted the program to suit our education system and environment. It has been the method of learning from the dawn of time, was perfected in the Scandinavian countries, and only recently made it to Australia. It is surely in its infancy here, but is set to grow into a strong alternate and compliment to traditional education.
Our government acknowledges that Naplan results are regressing, despite their best efforts to teach children in this manner. Australia is sliding further and further down the global rankings. The countries doing the best are the ones that have Forest School programs and ideologies.
Please click Forest School for more information on the history, the theories, and my experience become a Leader.
The Future for Sparky Do Dah
The direction of my business activities has been influenced by both market demand and the passions I have wished to explore. Things have continually progress and evolved – and that is the way I like it. I like to challenge myself and learn through experience.
I stopped birthday parties, and have currently hit pause on my natural adventures, with more focus on visiting schools during the week and Food Truck Gatherings. This shift has allowed me to focus on the next step of my journey… I have been busy in the workshop building the elements of a new venture that will open the doors to Shopping Centres, which will in turn grow the size and capacity of my business.
It is a new environment for me to explore. It is presenting new challenges of thought, of design and construction, and innovation. If all goes to plan, it will prove to be financially rewarding as there is a likely possibility of exponential growth.
I will leave it there for the moment, as I like to wave the flag of that which I have achieved, not what I plan to accomplish.
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