Starting a loose parts play collection

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Have you heard about loose parts play? It's easy to do at home and at playgroup. Read on for more information on how to set up a great play opportunity. 

Starting a collection for loose parts play

"Loose parts play" is a term that has gained significant attention. This simple yet powerful concept involves providing children with a diverse array of open-ended materials or "loose parts" to play and explore with. The magic lies in the infinite possibilities they offer, allowing children to freely manipulate and combine them in imaginative ways. Loose parts play ignites children's imagination, creativity, curiousity and problem solving skills. When children manipulate and experiment with different materials, they develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Sorting, classifying, and organizing loose parts enhance cognitive skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. Additionally, this type of play nurtures mathematical concepts like spatial awareness, measurement, and geometry as children engage in construction, patterning, and counting.

The best part about loose parts play is that the possibilities are literally endless. To get you inspired, here’s a quick list of some of the most common materials you might find in your house- that qualifies as a loose part. 

Safety note:

Remember when you collect items to consider the size of the item, especially if your child tends to put things in their mouth. 

Loose parts play materials can include:

• Cardboard boxes, pieces of wood, sticks, rocks are great for outdoor play. You may see a teepee being built. 
• Rope, bedroom sheets and laundry baskets are wonderful tools for building forts and cubby houses indoors during the wet and colder months.
• Colanders, frying pans and metal bowls make great musical instruments.
• Leaves, petals, dried flowers, feathers, shells and paper are natural resources to make a collage masterpiece.
• Fabrics such as ribbons, scarfs, blankets and laces can be used to decorate a tree, a fence or a chair.
• Consider things that have a scent, things that have different textures, items of different sizes.