The magic of open-ended play

Ethical toy business owner & mama, Mandy Abel discusses the magic of open-ended play.

Creativity and imagination are both precious gifts and important skills for every child to develop. While intrinsic qualities, the type of toys and the environment provided can also help little imaginations take flight.

The concept of open-ended play is essentially free and unrestricted play that requires a child’s creativity and input. There are no rules to follow and no particular outcome at the end – it’s powered purely by imagination (not batteries!).

From make-believe to role-play, and everything in between – play is an important tool for developing thought processes, learning to be social and allowing children to express themselves in their own unique way.

The benefits of open-ended play

When children are less concerned with doing an activity correctly, there is less fear of making mistakes and more openness to trying something new, which builds confidence. Experimenting with different ideas helps develop problem-solving skills, resilience and a growth mindset.

Role playing activities in particular can help with processing information about the real world. For example, playing doctors or looking after a toy doll can help alleviate anxiety around situations children may encounter in their day to day life, such as being unwell or adjusting to the arrival of a new sibling.

Open-ended play is also great to foster leadership and decision-making skills – if there are no instructions or rules, kids will make their own! So how can we encourage this type of play and help cultivate independence and creativity in our little ones?

Boredom is a good thing

Perhaps the easiest way is to allow time to just ‘be’. There are a multitude of classes and activities you can take your children to these days which can help with social skills and motor development, but just as important is allowing them downtime and even space to be bored. Children do not need to be entertained every minute; boredom is where the creativity and magic happens!

Asking open-ended questions and following your child’s lead are great ways to start. Give them your full attention and refrain from leading the play – it will likely go a completely different direction from what you think but will be more fulfilling, engaging and empowering for your child.

The type of toys on offer can impact the engagement and interest too. The best toys are often the most simple and this is key! The less a toy does, the more your child needs to interact and engage with it, enhancing and encouraging their creativity.

What to look for in open-ended play toys

Modern toys and social media have led us down a path of consumer culture, putting pressure on families and finances to keep up with the latest trends. Often short lived, these toys are likely to be broken or discarded by the next season as brands push the next ‘must-have’ item.

To save your wallet and unnecessary waste, here are some simple points to consider when choosing your next toy. Opt for pieces that:

+ Encourage independent play, without need for instruction or guidance from parents or caregivers

+ Can be used in multiple ways, in different setups and will grow with your child as their interests change

+ Are made from sustainable resources (where possible)

+ Are gender-neutral, free of commercial branding and have a timeless design

When we remove the pre-defined characters, flashing lights and distracting noises of modern (often plastic) toys, we encourage a calmer and more creative type of play.

Not only will children play for longer periods of time in a more meaningful way but you can actually have LESS toys. Open-ended play toys are thoughtfully designed to last through multiple ages and stages – for example, heuristic play pieces placed into a basket to be explored by your baby will turn into accessories for small world and imaginative play later on.

Buy less, choose well, Make it last

Investing in fewer toys, that are of a higher quality means less clutter in our homes, less overwhelm in our play spaces and less pressure on our finances as we let go of the need to keep up with the latest trends. Without structure or expectations, little ones will become the creative leader of their own play times – developing important life skills along the way.

OPEN-ENDED TOYS WE LOVE

	A collection of natural loose parts Sticks, stones, gems and shells can easily be incorporated into daily play. From maths and numeracy to creating small worlds; natural treasures are a valuable addition to any play space. The bonus – they're free!
	A set of good quality wooden blocks Plain wooden blocks in natural colours allow children to focus on size and weight distribution while building. Blocks are great for enhancing motor skills and cognitive brain development as well as creative play.
	Peg dolls Is it a fireman or doctor? A tree, stop sign, book characters, or even family members – peg dolls can be any creature, object or person your child chooses. Great for storytelling, role play, colour matching, counting and more!
	Lego Though made from plastic, Lego is durable and popular with kids of all ages. There are plenty of bargains to be found in online marketplaces and secondhand shops. To promote creativity, choose open-ended brick sets rather than building kits.
	Animal figurines From imaginative small world play, to learning by pairing with books and printables, children will use their animal figures often, if not every day.
Play silks and cloths From peekaboo to creating forts, small world play, doll blankets, capes and more – play silks are a versatile item for every age.	A doll Playing imaginary games with dolls – dramatic play – helps children develop social skills and empathy, as well as process real world experiences.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Ashley Jennings Photography & Aimee Glucina Photography

Mandy lives in Auckland with husband Andy and her two darling boys who are chief product-testers for Mandy’s online store, Fairplay. Connecting conscious consumers with sustainably crafted toys and natural resources for mindful play. Fairplay values simple, beautiful and meaningful objects that are not made at the expense of people or planet. See more at fairplay.nz or @fairplay.nz on Instagram.