Open Ended Toys
Open ended play is toys that allow children to explore all kinds of possibilities. And often, that is also very fun and educational for adults to watch. Although we as adults have often already come up with all sorts of ideas, children still manage to come up with new ones.
Open ended toys
Give children a variety of open ended play, and the most delightful creations and forms of play will emerge. Open ended toys are specifically designed to have no specific goal. A major advantage of this is that it challenges children to think creatively and grows with them. At different ages, different activities with the same toy become interesting. For example, a toddler enjoys spinning a Stapelstein brick or putting items in and out of it. A preschooler will likely already climb on it, while slightly older children build entire structures with it or incorporate it into other play.
Well known examples of toy brands that offer a wide range of open ended toys are Stapelstein, Grapat, and the magnetic tile brand Coblo. Play rice and kinetic sand are also often considered open-ended play. Wooden blocks, such as those from Wooden Story, are also very suitable for enjoyable play without too many expectations from adults.
Setting up an invitation to play
You can let children get started entirely on their own with this type of toy, but you can also set up an ‘invitation to play’. With an invitation to play, you set up toys in such a way that it is extra challenging for your child(ren) to play with. You can choose to simply make a start and let your child decide which direction the game will take, or to set up a specific game or task. Fun play invitations include, for example, setting up a container with play rice, clay, or (kinetic) sand and then using seasonal accessories. Or place a stack of blocks with some figurines. You could start building a structure, but not finish it. For young children, you can also simply stack some blocks on top of each other so your child can build the tower taller. You can also place colored containers with blocks, balls, or marbles in the same colors in a separate container next to them. Your child will have many options with that too!
Of course, you can also create an invitation to play with toys that are not open-ended. Think of a marble run with marbles, a race track with toy cars, or a puzzle (whether or not you have already started it).