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Writer's pictureDr. Briegel Payne, EdD

The Simplest Set of Toys Ever: "Loose Parts"

Updated: Nov 21, 2021

Explore the possibilities of the most magical set of toys in the world - "Loose Parts"!


Everything is a toy, if you let it be. Play is all around us, open-ended toys are everywhere and often free!

What are Loose Parts?

Loose parts are found objects and materials that children can move, manipulate, control, and change while they play. Children can carry, combine, redesign, line up, take apart, and put loose parts back together in an almost endless variety of ways. These materials do not come with a user manual, and have no specific set of directions or desired end result, and they can be used alone or combined with other materials.


Children’s curiosity, natural creativity, and imagination turn loose parts into whatever their hearts and minds create. A box becomes a spaceship, and then a crib for babies, and then a bear cave, and then a suitcase. A stick becomes a sword, and then a fishing pole, and then a magic wand. A rock is a lion, and then an ingredient in a magical spaghetti, and then the base of a castle.


These objects promote active, rather than passive, learning; deepen critical thinking skills, encourage critical and creative thinking, promote all 12 of The Playroom Edit’s essential types play.


To learn more about the 12 types of essential play, contact The Playroom Edit!


How do Loose Parts work?

There are no directions that come with loose parts - your child’s natural curiosity and creativity guides the play. With loose parts, there is no right way to play - loose parts are open-ended. Open ended materials, environments, and play experiences are child centered and encourage creative thinking and problem solving. Children involve themselves in concrete experiences using loose parts, which lead to explorations that occur naturally, as opposed to being adult-directed.


However, adults do play an important, intentional role in preparing, guiding, and documenting open ended learning experiences. You, as the parent, can inspire play ideas with invitations, but the power of loose parts is that there is no end goal or set plan.



Child’s Job: Play, create, explore, build, discover, share.


Parent’s Job: Provide safe objects in a safe environment. Provide inspirations and learning opportunities, observe what your children are interested in. Encourage your child to find materials with you. Find books, magazines, and pictures that relate to your child’s interest. Explore, play, and create alongside your child! Most importantly - listen and watch. Let your children share their thoughts with you, and then listen and watch again before you add your adult thoughts to their play :)


To learn more about Invitations and Soft Start, contact The Playroom Edit!


Some Lessons from Experience with Using Loose Parts:



  • Keep it Manageable - Try a few parts at a time - no more than 5-10 pieces completes a “set” of Loose Parts.

  • Avoid Decision Fatigue - Try only one set of Loose Parts at a time. Children can get decision fatigue too, and if there are too many options, children may throw or swipe pieces or not engage with the invitation at all. Think about having a cluttered desk at work - sometimes you do not even know where to begin!

  • Rotate Loose Parts - Keep things interesting by rotating which loose parts are available for your child. How long should you keep a set out? Do you rotate every day? Every Monday? Rotate based on your children’s interest. If they are still interested in a set, leave them out for as long as they are interested. If they have no interest after a day or two, try something new.

  • Involve your Child - Allow your child to add Loose Parts on their own, and let them mix and match. The set you create for them is not the only “right way” to combine a set. For example, they could combine blocks, pine cones, and fabric pieces to craft a magical soup.

  • Keep things "Organized" - For outdoor or found materials, store them in clear bins, like plastic shoe boxes or plastic storage containers for big things, so you know what you have. However, since most of the things are things you would find around your home, sometimes you don’t even need to find storage - they can just go back where they belong!

  • Be Thoughtful and Safe - Small parts are a choking hazard. Know your child. Make sure all of your children are in a safe space for play. Follow regular toy guidelines for choking hazards. Toys should be large enough - at least 1¼ inches (3 centimeters) in diameter and 2¼ inches (6 centimeters) in length - so that they can't be swallowed or lodged in the windpipe. A small-parts tester, or choke tube, can determine if a toy is too small. Use this link to help determine the right size.


Where can you find Loose Parts?

Everywhere! See below for some examples!


Recycling Bin:

Bottle caps • straws • cardboard • cardboard tubes • empty food containers • bottles • baby food jars • marker caps • packaging products like bubble wrap, foam peanuts, wrapping paper scraps, cardboard and Styrofoam inserts • spools from thread or ribbon • corks • plastic cups • cans • soda tabs • scrap paper


Around the House:

Fabric remnants • silk scarves • ribbons • glass gems • pouring devices (cups, spoons, buckets, funnels) • mosaic tiles • yarn, embroidery thread, twine, rope • curtain rings • bowls, containers, baking tins • old picture frames • paper clips • hair ties • costume jewelry • tools • golf tees


In Nature:

Water • sand • dirt • sticks • branches • logs • driftwood • grasses • moss • leaves • flowers • pine cones • pine needles • seeds • shells • bark • feathers • boulders • rocks • pebbles • stones



Building Tools:

Wood scraps • nuts and bolts • wire • ceramic tiles • magnets• washers • dowels • paint sample cards • wooden pegs • old electronics • tool set • PVC pipe


What are the benefits of Playing with Loose Parts?

  • Deepen critical thinking

  • Promote divergent and creative thinking

  • Promote active learning

  • Engage multiple Developmental domains - Physical, Social emotional, Academic, Math, Science, Language and literacy, Music, Art

  • Developmentally inclusive

  • Promote all types of play

  • Functional play

  • Constructive play

  • Dramatic and symbolic play

  • Economically feasible



(For more information on each of these, resources are linked below!)


Now that you know how to get started - get started! There is no "wrong way" to incorporate Loose Parts into your child's play. We hope the guidelines shared in this post can help you get started, and if you ever need more support don't hesitate to contact Foundations Whole Child Development.


Further Resources:


Loose parts, invitations, soft starts, and child-centered play are at the core of Foundations Whole Child Development's philosophy. With "The Playroom Edit" we offer customized, developmentally-appropriate, research-backed, and super-fun Playroom Consultations that will help you incorporate engaging tools like loose parts into your child's play today.



About the Author: Dr. Briegel Payne, EdD is the founder and owner of Foundations Whole Child Development - a Louisville, KY based Educational Consulting firm.


About Foundations Whole Child Development: Foundations Whole Child Development provides support to families through Educational Assessments, Customized Enrichment and Tutoring, and Educational Advocacy (school choice consultation, homeschool support, etc).


About The Playroom Edit: The Playroom Edit is a full service playroom consultation, organization and design service from Foundations Whole Child Development. It is part playroom transformation - helping parents curate a space in their home full of joy and opportunity for their children, and part play coaching - teaching parents The Playroom Edit System, based on 12 types of play to keep the playroom engaging and developmentally appropriate.



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