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Top 10 Open-Ended Toys for Supporting Children’s Development

As an experienced early years educator and primary school teacher, I've witnessed the stark difference between toys that ignite children's imaginations and those that quickly fade into the background. Themed plastic toys often come with limited, predetermined ways to play. Once the novelty wears off, they usually end up gathering dust at the bottom of the toy box or at the back of the shelf.


In contrast, open-ended toys provide endless opportunities for exploration, creativity, and skill development. Instead of dictating a single use, these toys invite children to think critically and engage in imaginative play. For example, a simple set of building blocks can transform into a castle one day, a road the next, and a rocket ship the following week. The possibilities are endless!


While some open-ended options may initially seem pricey, they offer incredible long-term value. Consider this: for the same cost as ten themed toys, you can invest in one high-quality item that will serve children for years. Plus, fewer toys mean less clutter, creating a calmer, more inviting space for play. If a child seems to lose interest in an open-ended resource, simply put it away. They will discover new ways to engage with it when it reappears, encouraging their growth and creativity.


Here Are My Top 10 Open-Ended Toys/Resources

  1. Tuff Tray from Discovery Playtime: As a brand representative for Discovery Playtime, I can't recommend the Tuff Tray enough. It is a versatile play surface for everything from messy sensory activities to building setups or small-world play. One day, children might pour water and explore messy textures; the next, they're creating a town for their toy cars. The Tuff Tray adapts to all stages of play and learning, making it a fantastic resource for early years education.

  2. Connetix Magnetic Tiles: These tiles are a huge hit in educational settings and at home! They support hands-on STEAM learning and creative construction. Whether they're building a simple house or an intricate tower, these tiles grow with children as their thoughts and designs become more complex. (Contact me for the Discovery Playtime Brand Rep code to get 10% off .)

  3. Wooden Rainbows: The beautiful wooden rainbows encourage stacking, balancing, and creative play. I regret that when I worked in a crèche, these were displayed on a high shelf as I didn't see their play potential at the time. What a mistake! Now, children show me every day how they can be made into a rollercoaster, a princess castle, or a zoo for the animals. (Invest in ones that do not have a glossy finish to ensure they offer children the full potential).

  4. Rainbow Peg Dolls: These simple wooden figures can take on countless roles, from family members to characters in a story. Their simplicity allows for unlimited interpretation, enhancing social skills through collaborative play.

  5. Stapelstein Stepping Stones: Lightweight and adaptable, these stepping stones support gross motor skills while inspiring imaginative play. Children can use them for drumming, stacking, balancing, or incorporating them into an obstacle course. Their versatility makes them a fantastic addition to any indoor or outdoor play space.

  6. Wooden Rings and Disks: Perfect for loose-part play, these wooden rings and disks encourage sorting, stacking, and creating beautiful patterns. They can even serve as "ingredients" in kitchen role-play, stepping stones, swimming pools, or shields in imaginative games.

  7. Foam Building Bricks: These lightweight bricks are perfect for risk-free construction play, allowing children to explore their creativity without worry. Kids can build tall towers, line them up, or integrate them into imaginative games. Children as young as one year old hide treasures within the holes while older children use them to create ramps for their structures.

  8. Real-World Bowls and Scoops of Different Sizes: Everyday items like bowls and scoops can become powerful play tools. They encourage filling and emptying during sensory play, allowing children to explore concepts of volume and capacity while developing fine motor control and coordination. Check your home or local charity shops for these!

  9. Tickit Reflective Sound Balls: These shiny balls engage children's senses and are a fantastic play resource from birth onwards. They can be used for tummy time, engaging babies' visual and auditory senses. As children grow, they can use them on ramps, as musical instruments, and in imaginative play.

  10. Silks and Sensory Scarves: Introduced from birth, use these for simple sensory play and peekaboo games. As children's development progresses, so will their ideas for the scarves. From dress-up and dancing to fort-building, silks and scarves add an element of magic to play. I've watched children transform them into capes, rivers, or picnic blankets for their toys, showcasing their creativity and imagination.

(See photos on social media)


The Science Behind Play and Creativity

Research underscores the significant impact of open-ended play, also referred to as unstructured or child-led play, on brain development. According to Peter Gray, a prominent advocate for free play, children who engage in such play exhibit increased connectivity in the prefrontal cortex, which is crucial for complex thought and decision-making. Additionally, studies indicate that play stimulates dopamine release, enhancing motivation and pleasure. When children are engaged in play, they are not only having fun but also wiring their brains for creativity and future success!


How Open-Ended Toys Support Development

Open-ended toys offer much more than mere entertainment; they provide invaluable developmental benefits:

  • Imagination and Creativity: Open-ended resources encourage children to invent their own games, stories, and scenarios, building cognitive and creative skills.

  • Problem-Solving: These toys promote critical thinking as children navigate challenges and make decisions during their playtime.

  • Physical Development: Open-ended options help children build strength and coordination, from fine motor skills (like stacking wooden rainbows) to gross motor development (such as balancing on Stapelstein stepping stones).

  • Long-Term Engagement: Because there's no single "right" way to play, open-ended toys remain interesting and engaging over time. Children will find new ways to interact with these resources as they grow.

  • Independence and Confidence:

    Open-ended play encourages self-directed learning. It allows children to explore and discover at their own pace, fostering confidence in their abilities.


Moving Forward on the Playful Path

As key adults in children's lives, it is our role to create environments where children can actively participate in their journey of growth and discovery. Play is not just about entertainment; it's about exploring, learning, and growing into capable and confident children and adults.

In my experience, investing in open-ended toys is one of the best things we can do for children's development. They aren't just toys but tools for learning, creativity, and lifelong growth. So, the next time you're considering a toy purchase for your home or educational setting, think beyond the flashy, themed options and choose something that will offer endless possibilities for years to come. ✨ Book a class or workshop with us to explore these and many more-open ended toys and play experiences:

Feel free to contact me via social media or email me with any questions. I am always happy to help!

Shannan :)

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