In this blog post you will discover what loose parts are and why you need them in your classroom. You will also find a list of over 150 loose parts resources you can use to set up age appropriate investigation areas and learning invitations in your early years setting.

What are Loose Parts?

In 1971, architect Simon Nicholson developed the theory of loose parts. This term describes  any open-ended materials which encourage creativity and exploration in children. Children can manipulate and use loose parts during investigative play experiences. The key is the open-ended nature of loose parts.

Loose parts can be natural like shells or man-made like buttons. They can be very small like beads or very large like tyres. Loose parts can be new or old, recycled or intentionally purchased.

Loose parts should be thoughtfully added to your investigation areas. Teachers very often add printed learning provocations to the loose parts to suggest possible learning scenarios. By observing your children, you will gain insights into their individual learning interests and needs. Your observations should then guide which loose parts you should add to your investigation areas.

Loose parts are suitable for individuals, small groups and the whole class. They can be offered inside the classroom and outside in the playground.

The main thing to remember about loose parts is that they can be used in a variety of ways and for numerous purposes. Your loose parts collections can be completely random, or you can curate collections around specific themes. For example, items could be all the same colour, all come from the kitchen, are all soft materials or are all found outside.

Loose parts can and should be added to any learning invitation for children to practice and build on their developmental skills.

Benefits of Loose Parts to Learning

Including loose parts in your learning provocations will help you to create rich learning experiences. Loose parts play develops skills across the whole curriculum  – literacy, maths, art, science, and more.

If you are interested in providing learning provocations which teach early literacy and numeracy skills and concepts, you might like to check out my loose parts play mats. They are sure to get your students engaged and learning with loose parts! Best of all? These hands-on activities are LOW PREP!

Just print the mats and add your loose parts for instant educational learning invitations.

Loose parts play is also cross-curricular/integrated because so many skills will be present in any single learning experience. Some educators think the word “play” suggests otherwise but so much learning really does happens when children explore loose parts.

 Providing opportunities for your children to play with loose parts allows them to consolidate their thinking and extend their learning through a developmentally appropriate pedagogy. Loose parts play has benefits, both for the child and the teacher. You can read more about the benefits of Loose Parts Play HERE on this blog post.

 You will notice your children will use loose parts to..

OVER 150 Engaging Loose Parts Ideas for Your Classroom

Loose parts can be sourced from the natural world or man-made. They can be large or small. To promote scientific and mathematical thinking, quality loose parts will have differing attributes of size, colour or shape.

Here is a comprehensive list of over 150 different loose parts you can use in your classroom so you can easily get started with loose parts play.

If you like this list, you can download a printable version HERE in my FREE Resource library. 

Natural Loose Parts

Reused and Recycled Loose Parts

Loose Parts Materials to Buy

Loose Parts Toys

Outdoor Loose Parts

You don’t need to compile a huge collection of loose parts in order for your children to have educational and effective loose parts play experiences.

One of the benefits of loose parts play is that you can use the same materials with a range of developmental abilities. Loose parts are open-ended resources so they never become outdated or below a child’s developmental level. They will never be too difficult or too easy for your children to use. The same materials can be used in a variety of ways over and over and for an extended period of time.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money to stock your classroom with loose parts. Free loose parts can be found everywhere and are the best types of loose parts to add to your investigative play experiences.

Materials like rocks and sticks can be collected easily. Items like empty cereal boxes and yoghurt containers (the ones filling up your recycling bin) are perfect for loose parts play.

You won’t be worrying about using these free loose parts either. They can be damaged or lost by the children without you stressing about how much money these resources cost you. As teachers, we need to be mindful that our focus is on the play and the learning and NOT on the loose parts we have managed to accumulate.

Where to Source Free or Cheap Loose Parts?

• Speak to local businesses to see if they would support you in providing crates, pallets, cable reels, gutters, or anything else you can think of.

• Ask local hardware stores, florists and other local businesses about materials they may be throwing away.

• Visit charity shops or junk-yards.

• Ask for donations of loose parts from school parents, families or friends.

• Look out for free bargains on sites like MarketPlace

Don’t forget to download my FREE printable list of over 150 loose parts you can source and use in your learning environment HERE.

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