Let Your Imagination Loose with Loose Parts Play
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
How Open-Ended Materials Inspire Creativity in Tribal Early Learning Programs
At NICCA, we know that some of the most meaningful learning happens when children are free to explore, imagine, and follow their curiosity. One of the simplest ways to encourage this is through loose parts play—a flexible, creative approach that uses everyday items to spark discovery.
Loose parts are open-ended materials that children can use however they choose. They might be gathered from nature, found around the home, donated by community partners, or upcycled from items that would otherwise be thrown away. Think: pinecones, cardboard, napkin rings, seashells, fabric scraps, bottle caps, or wooden rings. With loose parts, the possibilities for play truly become limitless.
When children have access to materials without a single “right” way to use them, they naturally explore, problem-solve, experiment, create stories, and collaborate with others. Loose parts environments offer rich opportunities for early learning—bringing joy, imagination, and cultural connection to Tribal child care programs.
Be Intentional About Exploration
Introducing loose parts doesn’t require a complete classroom transformation. Start small, observe, and build over time.
Thoughtful ways to begin include:
Start slowly by offering a few materials at a time. Begin with larger loose parts for easier use and cleanup.
Introduce materials in different settings—large group, small group, outdoor play, or individual exploration.
Talk about the materials: how they feel, what they look like, and what children notice or imagine.
Place loose parts in areas where they suggest a purpose, like adding boxes to dramatic play or pinecones to a science area.
Support language development by labeling objects, describing actions, and narrating what children observe or attempt.
Encourage predictions, such as “How high can you stack these stones?” or “What will happen when this goes in the water?”
Use loose parts in pretend play—a cardboard box can become a canoe, a drum, a dog house… or anything else a child imagines.
Integrate math concepts like comparing sizes, making patterns, counting items, or sorting by attributes.
Support social skills by encouraging children to collaborate, share ideas, problem solve, and work together.
Offer sensory experiences such as shells, stones, corks, sand, or fabric for children to touch, smell, and explore
Gather Materials With Purpose
Loose parts can come from families, Tribal programs, Elders, the environment, and local businesses. Planning together builds community and reinforces the value of upcycling.
Ideas for gathering loose parts include:
Plan with your teaching team and families. Share your goals and brainstorm what to collect.
Review materials for safety, especially for infants and toddlers—check for choking hazards, sharp edges, and items children may mouth.
Collect a variety of materials across categories:
Natural: acorns, stones, tree cookies, pinecones
Metal: canning rings, pots, napkin rings
Plastic: shower rings, bottle caps, cups
Wood: pegs, clothespins, scrap wood
Paper: envelopes, cardboard, molding
Textiles: scarves, fabric scraps, ribbons
Pair loose parts with familiar toys—for example, placing canning rings near art supplies for stamping or tracing.
Partner with community organizations, businesses, or environmental programs for donations.
Include materials that support fine and gross motor skills, from stacking stones to muffin tin sorting to large outdoor objects.
Add sound-making items—pots and pans hung outdoors make wonderful “sound walls.”
Plan for All Children to Engage
Loose parts play is naturally inclusive, but thoughtful planning ensures every child can fully participate.
Consider adaptations such as:
Allowing plenty of time for children who need more processing or exploration.
Creating accessible pathways for wheelchairs, walkers, or crawling infants.
Using trays or picture frames to keep materials contained for children developing fine motor skills.
Providing visual supports, ASL signs, or descriptive language for children needing communication assistance.
Offering a variety of textures, weights, colors, and sensory experiences.
Providing tongs, divided containers, or gloves for children who benefit from extra sensory support.
Ensuring high-contrast materials or light tables for children with vision-related needs.
Encouraging sorting by size, shape, color, or other features.
Loose parts give children with disabilities meaningful opportunities to explore, participate, and lead. Because the materials don’t have a “correct” use, children can engage at their own level, focus on their strengths, and feel empowered and capable.
Create a Culture of Inquiry
Asking open-ended questions encourages children to think deeply and express their ideas. Whether you’re working with infants, toddlers, or preschoolers, questions can guide discovery.
Examples include:
Infants & Toddlers
“Can you shake the seed pod? What sound does it make?”
“What does this leaf feel like?”
“What happens when you drop the roller?”
Preschoolers
“What are you pretending this shell is?”
“What could you use this for?”
“How did you decide to use this stick?”
“Where do you think this acorn came from?”
Questions help children connect their imaginations with their learning, deepening their creativity and curiosity.
Foster Creative Connections With Children and Families
Loose parts play thrives when families and communities are involved.
Strategies for building meaningful connections:
Share information with families about loose parts and invite them to collect items.
Honor children’s ideas by asking where new items should go or how they might be used.
Talk about upcycling and recycling as a community value.
Encourage children to gather natural materials during outdoor play.
Showcase children’s creations and invite families to explore how materials evolve through play.
Loose parts play highlights Indigenous values of sustainability, resourcefulness, creativity, and honoring what the land provides—making it especially meaningful in Tribal early learning environments.
Why Loose Parts Matter
Loose parts play supports nearly every learning domain, including:
Initiative, curiosity, and independence
Creativity and problem-solving
Spatial awareness, balance, and motor skills
Language development through storytelling and description
Social-emotional learning and collaborative play
Cognitive development and early math skills
And for adults, loose parts offer a powerful opportunity to step back, observe, and follow the child’s lead, creating a joyful and respectful learning environment.
Ready to Explore Loose Parts?
Loose parts can transform any classroom or outdoor space into a rich landscape for creativity and discovery. When children explore open-ended materials—guided by supportive adults, connected to their families, and rooted in cultural strengths—they truly thrive.
NICCA encourages programs to explore the possibilities of loose parts play and to celebrate the creativity, confidence, and curiosity it brings to Native children. If you try loose parts in your program, we’d love to hear your stories and see your photos!
