Loose Parts

Playing with Loose Parts

Playing with loose parts allows children to move, manipulate, design, create, recreate, line-up, stack, take apart and put together again, a wide variety of materials.  

The idea of playing with loose parts was first introduced in the '70's by architect, Simon Nicholson. His thinking was, that if we provide children with many materials to manipulate, we are empowering creativity.

What are Loose Parts?

Loose parts are any items, synthetic or natural, that provide an opportunity for children to learn through the discovery of creating. Some examples of loose parts are:

blocks

measuring and pouring devices (cups, buckets, funnels, spoons)

play cars

wood blocks and scraps

cut logs (1-8 inches in diameter)

sticks and drift wood

rocks and pebbles

fabric and ribbon scraps

toy animals and people

recycled materials (paper tubes, paper, caps, lids, cardboard)

tools, nuts & bolts

art materials (paint, paint brushes, buttons, glass and plastic beads, straws, natural and coloured popsicle sticks)

q-tips

plastic bottle tops of all sizes and colours

the list goes on...

If you can donate any of the above (or anything else you can think of) we would greatly appreciate it!