Loose Parts Play Indoors

"Loose Parts," is a term that may sound unfamiliar for some but we've all witnessed "loose parts play" and most likely participated in it as a child.

Loose Parts Play: Fabric Scraps

The term "loose parts" refers to an object that can be used alone or combined for play. A loose parts play object has no set of specific directions and can be manipulated by the child to allow for both physical and creative experimentation. The term loose parts can include natural objects not intended to be used as toys and also man made objects intended to be used as toys (like blocks) in either case they are open ended materials. There are many advantages for including loose parts in a child's play environment. Loose parts encourage creativity, problem solving, natural exploration, and when used by the child, child directed learning and play.

We have a non-toy loose parts cupboard in our home. It isn't very big and isn't too full (purposely!), but it is used daily and holds my children's favorite loose parts play materials. Two words of caution I would add to any discussion of loose parts play indoors: Safety- for a child younger than three (everything in the mouth stage child) make sure loose parts are large and not a choking hazard and Warning- loose parts will appear all over the house (or at least they do in our house!) so be ready to step on them when you least expect it or vacuum them up when you least want to.

I keep the loose parts in small baskets that I typically find at goodwill. I try to keep the cupboard organized and the materials easily accessible to find and retrieve. Keeping the baskets small allows for a limited and manageable supply of loose parts. I find it is better to have too few than too many, especially for clean up.

Inside the cupboard we have rocks, pinecones, and wooden containers.

Shells, a nesting doll (used to hold and hide many things) and small colored sticks

Fabric squares

A few pieces of yarn, mini clothespins, pipe cleaners (because tying can be difficult) and wool roving.

And that's it. Not a whole lot of stuff but just enough to encourage creativity and child directed play. Here are some of the ways they are used and enjoyed.

Fabric Squares

Yarn and Fabric Squares

Fabric Square

Fabric Squares For Land and Water

Containers and Wool

Wool, Blocks, and Planks

The possibilities for supplies and uses are endless and only limited by creativity. Loose parts don't have to be small either. Play silks, cardboard boxes, large lids from containers, thrifted pots and pans, beanbags and more. Please do share what is popular with your little ones, I would love to know! Also, to share and inspire, I've started a flickr group called Early Childhood Loose Parts Play if you care to share your photos of loose parts play and join.

Water Play Indoors

I know I've posted pictures before of water play indoors but thought I would show how it is set up for this winter in our home. I know there is some debate over the use of sand tables and water tables (at least on the Waldorf side) being used indoors. Some believe sand and water should be kept outside in a natural setting, allowing the child to use these elements in the most organic way. Others support the use of indoor sand and water tables because of the sensory experience it provides. For us, when the winter months come and it is minus or single digits or we are too sick to get out, we do enjoy sand and water inside. We don't substitute the sand and water that we have inside for time outside digging, building and playing but we do enhance our sensory experiences in the winter with the use of sand and water tubs.



This is our latest set up. Always a towel under the water tub and tray. The tub is filled with water (about half) and the tray (which really is anything big enough to hold the containers and utensils) sits next to it.



The waterproof apron comes from Montessori Services and is very helpful for keeping clothes dry.



An ice cube tray holds pieces of a sponge. The pieces float around the water tub or can be squeezed with hands or a garlic press.




A variety of containers all different sizes allow experimentation with volume and size. One container has a cap for shaking and "making bubbles."





Funnels are used with the containers. I've seen my daughters put the sponges in the funnels to absorb the water poured in and sometimes they just use the funnels.



My daughters ask for soap sometimes to play with bubbles. More bubbles can be made with the whisk or by sponge squeezing.




Transferring water utensils.



Everything is stored in this box. I try to let things air dry before putting on the lid but the drilled holes in the lid allow for the materials to continue drying.



Water is a great sensory experience. It also tends to calm and relax- I love to watch the concentration as they pour and play in the water. A younger child may be overwhelmed at first with all of these options and could benefit from introducing one or two at a time.