The idea for Loose Parts Play originated from Simon Nicholson's (1971) Theory of Loose Parts.

Why use Loose Parts?

Using Loose Parts in play encourages

• creativity and imagination
• exploration ...

Setting up an invitation to play using natural, manufactured and recycled loose parts (open-ended materials) encourages your child to be curious, explore and discover through undirected play.

Put out things you know will spark your child's interests, e.g shells, beads, buttons, sticks, leaves, bun cases, scoops, clothes pegs ...

We needed a gluten-free play dough recipe for sensory open-ended, process-based play experiences and tried this one. Given to us by a colleague, the recipe was easy to follow and quick to make, although it did require cooking.

To add an extra sensory element to the play experience, we added a teaspoon of cinnamon to the mixture as we cooked ...

It's great to get outside without wooly hats and gloves and hearing the birds singing again inspired an easy egg themed sensory play activity.

I left some egg-shaped pieces of card, some with numbers written on them, outside with a collection of sticks, stones and leaves and a few crayons. It wasn't long before more sticks and pieces of bark ...

No paintbrush? You can still paint. Have fun exploring ways to paint without one.

Today we had lots of fun using sprigs of Rosemary from our over-grown plant, pine cones, stones, string and our fingers to paint on a big piece of recycled cardboard. This creative, sensory activity stimulated lots of discussion, experimenting and problem-solving:

• "What's ...

This weekend, my brother sent me a video of his kids playing on the beach in Tasmania, it's summer there right now. Ok, I have to admit I was a little envious...I live in Canada and it's winter here, cold and snowy! But the video got me thinking and inspired a sensory play activity outside that encouraged exploration of the natural environment and ...