Setting up an open-ended, process-based activity like this is a great way to encourage curiosity, creativity and exploration through undirected sensory play.

What you need:

• Paper
• Paint and other mark making materials (Top Tip: use non-toxic, washable mark making materials)
• Collection ...

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 ...