Play materials: Natural, open-ended for creative and dramatic play

by Joost Nusselder Updated on: September 15, 2023

Play equipment consists of items with which children can play, build and express their creativity. It is versatile, broad and stimulates the development of motor skills, coordination and social skills.

Natural play materials, such as sand and water, are great for your child. It stimulates the senses, promotes physical development and offers endless possibilities for play. An example is a sandbox in which children can build towers and make shapes.

Play equipment can also support open play. This type of play has no specific goal and encourages children to create their own games and stories. Examples include construction sets and colorful blocks, with which children can build their own towers, houses and cities.

Dramatic play is also supported by play materials. This type of play allows children to simulate everyday tasks and roles. Costumes are a perfect example of this.

Play equipment is also essential for arts and crafts. Materials such as paper, clay and glue allow children to draw, paint and model.

Play materials are becoming increasingly important for toddlers. They help develop cognitive skills such as counting, recognizing colors and understanding shapes.

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What should be on your natural play materials list?

Natural play materials are objects from nature that children can use to play and learn. Think of sand, stones, shells, pine cones, feathers, seeds, acorns, grass, bean bags and ice.

They are good for your child because they stimulate the senses, stimulate the imagination and encourage creativity. They are also great for hand-eye coordination and motor skills.

Zand

Play sand is a specially designed type of sand that is often used by children to play with, especially in sandboxes. It differs from regular sand you find on the beach because play sand has usually been washed and sifted to remove any contaminants and make it clean and safe for children to play with.

Sand is a great material to play with. It is a natural, sensory material that children can shape and manipulate. An example of an activity is building sand castles.

Water

Water offers a unique sensory experience, with its pleasant texture and refreshing properties. It is this tactile sensation that attracts both children and adults to interact with water play. On hot days, water acts as a natural coolant, adding to the enjoyment of water activities and at the same time helping to regulate body temperature.

Stones

Stones are great for developing hand-eye coordination. Children can stack them, sort them by size or color, or use them in a game of mikado.

Shells

Shells are beautiful natural materials that stimulate the imagination. Children can use them to make jewelry, or as decoration in a sand castle.

Pine cones

Pine cones are great for sensory play. Children can feel, smell and examine them. An example of an activity is making a pine cone bird feeder.

Feathers

Feathers are light and soft, ideal for sensory play. Children can use them to create works of art, or to learn about different bird species.

Seeds

Seeds are great for encouraging creativity. Children can use them to paint, or to plant their own seeds.

Acorns

Acorns are perfect for developing fine motor skills. Children can use them to sort, count, or learn about the life cycle of a tree.

gras

Grass is a natural material that children can feel and smell. They can roll in it, or use it to make a flower wreath.

Kernel bags

Bean Bags are great for physical play. Kids can use them to throw and catch, or hit a target.

Ice

Ice is a fascinating material that children can feel melting. They can use it to learn about the conditions of water, or to build an ice castle.

zijde

Silk is an exceptional material to play with because of its silky-soft texture that invites you to touch and explore. It stimulates the senses, promotes creativity through its versatility, and provides aesthetic pleasure through its shine and richness of color. Additionally, playing with silk can be soothing and contribute to both sensory development and relaxation.

What are good examples of open-ended play materials?

Open-ended play materials are items with no specific purpose that children can play with in many different ways. They encourage creativity and imagination because they have no set outcome or way of playing.

These types of toys are great for your child because they fuel their imagination. They can create their own art and designs, build different structures and experiment with natural forms.

Wooden blocks

Wooden blocks are a perfect example of open ended play material. They are versatile and allow children to build a wide range of structures. For example, a child can build a castle, then rearrange the blocks to create a bridge or a tower.

Paint

Paint is great for children to express their creativity. They can create different types of artwork, from paintings to collages. For example, a child can paint a landscape or make a collage of different shapes and colors.

Pen and paper

Paper is in any case a product that can be used for a lot of things, but your child can do a lot with just pen and paper. This way they can learn to write and draw precisely and be there a lot of games you can do with just pen and paper to challenge them and play together.

Fabrics and costumes

Fabrics and costumes allow children to use their imagination and imagine themselves in different characters. For example, a child can put on a superhero costume and create an adventure, or use a piece of fabric to build a fort.

Cardboard boxes and milk cartons

Boxes and milk cartons are everyday items that can be transformed into open ended play materials. Children can use them to build different structures or create their own games. For example, a child can using a cardboard box to build a house, or transforming a milk carton into a boat.

slime

Slime, a sticky gel-like substance, has become a popular toy for children in recent years. It's easy to make and offers kids a sense of control as they play with it. Playing with slime can teach children patience, develop their fine motor skills, stimulate creativity and provide various tactile stimuli. In addition, it can help express and understand emotions.

What materials are best for dramatic play?

Dramatic play equipment consists of various items that help children create and act out different scenarios. This material encourages creative expression and character development.

Such play material is good for your child because it contributes to early childhood development. It encourages creative play, helps develop social skills and promotes problem-solving thinking.

Miniature furniture and toys

Miniature furniture and toys, such as dollhouses or ice cream carts, are ideal for dramatic play. They help children recreate realistic scenarios, such as a visit to the ice cream parlour.

Background and masks

Background and masks are important for dramatic play. They help children create different environments and characters. An example activity is reenacting a jungle adventure with animal masks.

Kitchen toys

Kitchen toys are an essential part of dramatic play equipment. It helps children to simulate everyday tasks such as cooking and cleaning. An example activity is 'preparing' a meal with toy vegetables and pans.

Cleaning kit

A cleaning kit, including a dustpan, toy washer and dryer, and ironing board, is also important. It helps children to imitate household chores. An example activity is 'cleaning' their play area.

What are the best materials for arts and crafts?

Craft materials are a variety of items used to create arts and crafts. They include a wide range of types, from drawing materials to versatile glues, clay, wood and even reusable items such as egg cartons.

They are good for your child because they stimulate creativity and develop a wide range of skills. Drawing, for example, promotes fine motor skills, while working with clay improves hand-eye coordination. Furthermore, the use of reusable materials promotes environmental awareness.

Some of the best craft materials include paper, clay, wood and textiles. Paper is popular because it is versatile and recyclable. It offers a wide range of possibilities, from drawing and painting to creating colorful collages.

Clay is another favorite material because it can be shaped and shaped into a wide variety of objects. Wood is ideal for woodworking and making durable decorations. Textiles, such as fabric, beads and yarn, are great for making clothes and decorations.

What materials do you need for toddlers?

You should have various play materials for preschoolers such as art supplies, simple games and building materials. Art supplies such as glue, glitter, popsicle sticks and perler beads promote fine motor skills and creative expression.

Simple games such as shape games and floor puzzles help develop problem-solving skills and cognitive development. Building materials such as wooden blocks and magnetic tiles promote spatial awareness and physical development.

Some of the best kindergarten materials include large building blocks, finger puppets, stickers, wooden puppets and balls of different sizes. Large building blocks are great because they promote gross motor skills and social interaction. Finger puppets and wooden puppets are important for the development of imaginative play and emotional expression. Stickers help develop fine motor skills and creative expression. Balls of different sizes are essential for the development of gross motor skills and coordination.

What is the importance of learning through play and creativity?

Learning by playing is very important. It enables children to develop new skills in a fun and interactive way. Playing is essential for a child's physical growth and forms the basis for complex motor skills. It is the time when children start building social and communication skills.

Riihelä's (2002) research underlines this importance. The study shows that children learn social interaction patterns early on through their innate ability to collaborate, their zest for life and rich imagination. Creativity plays a major role in this. It stimulates the brain and promotes the healthy development of the child.

Creative play helps develop emotional strength and promotes problem solving. It offers children the opportunity to express and communicate their feelings in a safe way. It also stimulates early cognitive and intellectual understanding and retention of information.

Joost Nusselder, the founder of Speelkeuze.nl is a content marketer, father and loves trying out new toys. As a child he came into contact with everything related to games when his mother started the Tinnen Soldaat in Ede. Now he and his team create helpful blog articles to help loyal readers with fun play ideas.