Block play is a favourite with most kids. A box with blocks is one of those classic toys that children throughout the years keep coming back to. And with good reason, blocks are the ultimate loose parts for building.

On top of that a basic set of blocks lends itself so well as a starting point for many a creative invitation to play. Let me show you one of those today.

Extending Block Play to Build with Loose Parts

The reason blocks are a favourite starting point for creative play invitations is because it’s so easy to integrate into other areas of play and because it’s so easy to extend.

Extending block play is becoming more popular as people are getting more familiar with the Theory of Loose Parts. Once you’ve seen and experienced the joy of using more materials in play, you’ll never look back. The question now remains what other items can be used in combination with each other and how can we present them to encourage creative play?

An invitation to build with loose parts

This invitation to build with loose parts is one of those that has grown from our extended block play box.

We started out with a classic set, then added a bunch of second hand blocks, gave it home to misfit pieces from other play sets and combined it with wooden craft materials and random loose parts.

Aside from our big box of blocks, I also have a little box box with tiny loose parts. These are random little items from all over the place and it’s an ever changing eclectic collection and we dearly love!

The combination of both the big blocks and little loose parts is what seems to excite our kids the most. And you can clearly see why.

As I quietly observed my daughter she carefully created the bigger structures and purposefully arranged the smaller pieces around, on top and inside. I have the impression her play was more of the process art variety where the creating and exploring are more valuable and fun than the end result.

It goes to show that different children will interact in a different way with an invitation like this and that is just the way it’s supposed to go. It’s also the beauty and very core of open ended play: that it’s open ended.

For the Love of  Loose Parts

There’s a good chance you like loose parts as much as I do, or at least by now you’re intrigued.

I’ve written a thing or two about loose parts I’m positive you will love.

If you aren’t already familiar with it, the Theory of Loose Parts is a great place to start with, followed by how to easily get started at home and here is where you’ll find all of the simple play ideas we’ve worked out for you involving loose parts.

Enjoy!

Ann*

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