best toys for open ended play
The season of gift giving is upon us. This year, we are scaling back and observing our children. What ignites their curiosity and creativity? What makes them think and use their senses?
Here is a list of open-ended toys and gifts that are perfect for inspiring independent and authentic play for your children. I have split our list into two categories: store-bought items and do-it-yourself or “find them” toys that may be in your house already, but simply need to be repurposed! Here are our favorite toys to encourage open ended play for children!
{This post contains affiliate links, please see my disclosure policy.}
Blocks and items for purchase….
HABA Technics Wooden Blocks {See our recent review here.}
Grimms Four Elements Building Sets
Fort Magic {see our review here}
Legos or Lego Duplos
Window Blocks or make your own
Budsies Stuffed Animals: Turn your child’s work of art into a stuffed animal!!
And sometimes the best gifts aren’t bought, but are created…..
Loose parts: Children can create, and imagine, so much with small parts; they can be from nature: shells, rocks, sticks or acorns, or they can be things you have laying around the house: scraps of fabric, poms, gems, or small blocks! {Ensure children are always supervised!}
Chalkboard, mirror, or wooden board to play on
Recycled materials: cardboard tubes, bottle tops, boxes, plastic tubs, anything you would throw in your recycling bin can be imagined, or here I created a simple slot game, into something else!
A cardboard box
Try Light table play or make your own
Bucket of water and kitchen bowls, pans, and utensils — this play can be brought indoors by putting a sheet down!
Pin it!!
I hope you enjoyed our list of best toys for open ended play! This post is a part of the Kid Blogger Network’s Holiday Gift Guide for Kids 2014. Make sure to head over to see over 75 different amazing gift lists for kids of all ages!!
You can check out my other gift guides here:
- Montessori learning tools
- Gifts for a one year old
- Gifts for a three year old
- Baby toys 3-6 months
- Baby toys 6-9 months
- Baby toys 9-12 months
- Baby toys 12-18 months
Our kids LOVE Brain Blox. Solid wood, simple planks for building. Total must have.