Play does not have to be expensive. Natural and recycled materials can inspire hours of meaningful exploration, creativity, and bonding!
GATHER LOOSE PARTS
Take a walk around your house or a nearby park with your child and start gathering some loose parts. Here are some suggestions:
Natural
Pebbles Twigs and branches Fallen leaves Seeds Fruit peels Water |
Recycled
Cardboard rolls Milk cartons Egg cartons Cardboard boxes Clothes pegs Cutleries Plastic bottles and caps Plastic containers Strings and cotton twines Loose fabric PVC pipes Marbles Newspaper and magazine |
WHY LOOSE PARTS
Can be cheap or easily found at home
Allow children to build, put together, take apart, or re-purpose
Encourage children to be curious, think imaginatively, and create what they want freely
Increase willingness and ability to take healthy risks
Enhance fine and gross motor skills
THINK ABOUT POSSIBILITIES
In open-ended free play, children decide what materials to use and how they wish to play with them. As adults, we are our children’s creative facilitators. Instead of telling them what the materials are, let’s give them space to think about what they CAN BE. Explore with them what these materials can offer when put together!
Cardboard rolls + round pebbles = a marble run or a shaker
Sticks and pebbles + leaves + bottle caps = a creative mandela
Loose fabric + cardboard boxes = a fortress or a house
How about plastic bottles + PVC pipes + newspapers?
PLAYFUL IDEAS
Create a Nature Mandela
With sticks, pebbles, and leaves
Gather natural materials like sticks, pebbles, and leaves from your surroundings—whatever feels right! Begin in the middle by placing an object of your choice, then let your creativity guide you as you arrange your materials in any pattern you like. Keep building outward, adding layers and mixing different materials in a way that feels fun and unique.
Make a Launcher
With PVC pipes, plastic bottles, and newspaper
Gather PVC pipes, plastic bottles, and some old newspaper, then let your child pick their favourite materials for building a launcher. Encourage your child to experiment with different ways of putting the pieces together and to make adjustments as they go. What does it take for an object to launch into the air? How can it go faster, higher, or further?
Build a Sculpture
With fruit peels and toothpicks
Gather a variety of fruit peels (e.g., from bananas, oranges, dragon fruit, watermelon, or even durians!) and toothpicks, letting your child pick the types of peels they want to use. Encourage them to experiment by exploring the textures of the peels, stacking, poking, or connecting them with toothpicks in any shape or design they imagine. Whether it looks like a real thing or a wacky invention, let their creativity flow, allowing them to build and rebuild freely, exploring new forms and ideas.
Comentários