What are open-ended toys? This is the same question I asked myself when I had my daughter.
Open-ended toys are toys that do not have a definite ending point, meaning they can be played in many different ways without rules or instructions.
This leaves room for your kids to let their imagination run free and play with these open-ended toys however they want, leading them to play independently.
So here is all you need to know when you want to add open ended toys to your playroom.
Why Should You Get Open-Ended Toys?
There are a lot of benefits when you invest in open ended toys compared to closed ended toys.
With open-ended toys every play time is unique as your child has to figure out how and what they want to play.
The benefits of open ended play are:
- Independent play. Your child can explore the toys independently and they can get caught up in their play as open-ended toys encourage imagination and creativity.
- It encourages creativity and imagination as there are no limits to what the toy can be.
- There is no right or wrong way to play open-ended toys. This can be very calming to kids as there are no rules or expectations so they can play freely.
- Open-ended toys provide an avenue for kids to process events by retelling things that they experience with these toys through pretend play.
Tips When Choosing Open-Ended Toys
1. Your child’s age: Buy toys that are inline with your child’s developmental stage.
That being said, a lot of open-ended toys are timeless and can be used throughout many stages of your child’s growth.
For example rainbow wooden balls are great for babies to grip and explore the feel and texture, toddlers can also use them for pretend play like scooping ice cream.
2. Design: The toys design should be simple enough to allow the child to use their imagination during play.
Open ended play toys like blocks are simple and can be used in so many different ways. We use it to create a zoo enclosures for toy animals to a makeshift kitchen.
3. Pieces that grow with your kids: Invest in pieces where open ended toys for babies can be played by your child up until their school age.
A good example of toys like these are like playsilk, where it can be hung from your baby’s play gym and later be used as items for pretend play as they grow into a toddler.
Blocks are great too as babies can learn to stack the blocks or even just grasp them and strengthen their motor function.
4. Material: Buy toys that are safe and durable.
You will want your kids to be able to play with these toys for a couple of years, so choose toys that are made out of durable, high quality and toxic free materials.
5. Follow your child’s interest: Observe what your child is passionate about as they will be more enthusiastic and encourage more creativity during play.
Must Have Open Ended Toys For Your Play Space
1. Wooden Blocks
A good set of wooden blocks can get you a long way. They are the ultimate open-ended toy for play-based learning!
Blocks are multipurpose, suitable for all ages and are a fun and engaging educational toy.
Young kids can explore their senses by feeling, grasping and exploring the sound of the blocks. As they grow they can learn to stack the blocks up to build complex structures with them.
My daughter loves to create parking lots and zoo enclosure with her blocks aside from building really tall structures and knocking them down (Yes kids love to do this!).
2. Magnet Tiles
My daughter plays with magnet tiles almost everyday! With magnet tiles, kids can really let their imagination run free and create all sorts of structures or objects with it.
Magnet tiles offer endless play possibilities and have your child in the front seat.This empowers them to be incharge of their creativity.
I would recommend investing in some quality magnet tiles as cheaper sets have been known to break and release the small magnets making it very dangerous for your child if they swallow it.
3. Play Silks
A great addition to your play area are playsilks as they can inspire imaginative play in your child.
These open-ended toys are so versatile as they can be used to dress up pieces, items for pretend play like a picnic mat or as water or grass.
Play silks are also great for sensory play for babies and can be used for rhythm and dancing.
4. Realistic Animal Figurines
What kid does not like animals, we have so much fun pretending to have a zoo or a farm with our set of animal figurines.
5. Small Cars
We have a collection of cars and they are never on rotation. Kids just love playing with cars as it brings them a lot of excitement.
Playing with cars can develop kids’ creativity by making up stories about their play and expanding their imagination. These toys are also good for motor skills and to develop hand eye coordination.
Our basket of toy cars has everything from small size cars to the bigger little people cars that can be used to carry all her small character toys.
6. Rainbow Stacker
Rainbow stackers are not just too good on display, they are an array of ways that your child can play with this open-ended toy.
It can be used as animal cubbies, tunnels, a pretend cake, a ball run track and so much more.
7. Wooden Peg Dolls
Peg dolls are great for small world play where your kids can use them as different characters in their pretend play.
Not only can these peg dolls be used for creating stories and understanding relationships whilst playing with the dolls.
For younger kids it can be used for color sorting, loose play parts or even as an arts project if you get the natural wood peg dolls.
8. Rainbow Pebbles
If your child likes collecting rocks then they will enjoy rainbow pebbles.
These toys are very simple in concept but are good for fine motor skills development, color and size sorting, and a great piece for pretend play.
9. Modular Play Couch
This one might not be a toy but I highly recommend investing in a modular play couch if you can.
I had my play couch since my daughter was only 4 months old. We used it for tummy time when she was younger and now it acts as a castle, a makeshift kitchen, a jumping base and reading nook.
10. Kitchen Play Set
My 3 year old loves to pretend that she is serving her plush dolls with all the wonderful things that she is cooking in her play kitchen.
You don’t necessarily need an expensive toy kitchen for this, just have a couple of sets of plates and cups and an area/ table your child can use as their kitchen counter.
My daughter will create a makeshift kitchen just anywhere in the house just with a few bowls and plates.
Open Ended Toy Recommendation By Age
If you are looking for open-ended toys for babies or for toddlers, Here is a list of tor recommendations by age.
Open ended toys for babies
- High Contrast Flash Cards
- Playsilks
- Grasper Beads
- Stacking Balls
- Building Blocks
Open ended toys for 1 year olds
- Jumbo Animal Figurines
- Stacking Cups
- Sorting Toy/ Color Matching Toys
- Mega Bloks (Duplo Blocks)
- Wooden Blocks
Open ended toys for 2 year olds
- Magnet Tiles
- Wooden Blocks
- Rainbow Stacker
- Balls/ pom poms
- Small Cars
Open ended toys for 3 year olds
- Play Kitchen
- Modular Couch
- Musical Instruments
- Play dough
- Art sets
Open ended toys for 4 year olds
- Wooden Peg Dolls
- Rainbow Pebbles
- Puzzle Blocks
- Loose Parts Toys
Open ended toys for 5 year olds
- Lego Bricks
- Easel
- Stepping Stones