I first became acquainted with the idea of loose pieces from a Reggio facebook group. Loose parts, architect Simon Nicholson argued, let kids engage in open ended, experimental play. These parts can be used to build, be taken apart, carried around, and used to build something totally new and different. They are the ultimate open end toy.

For the next few weeks, I’ll be talking about different types of loose parts and how we use them in play around here.

I’m going to start with a completely subjective breakdown of loose parts in some general categories, today, just to give you some ideas. I plan on adding in great ideas as they occur to me, so check back as I create the Ever Expanding List of Loose Parts.

• Natural Loose Parts
  • Sticks
  • Rocks (River rocks, polished rocks, pebbles, really any rocks)
  • Shells
  • Pinecones
  • Seedpods (Gum stickers, Alder catkins, etc)
  • Branches
  • Flowers/Plants
  • Nut Shells
  • Driftwood
  • Leaves
  • Flowers
  • Dried Spices
  • Sand
  • Bark
  • Corn Cobs
• Natural Material Loose Parts
  • Wooden “Cookies”
  • Wooden Beads
  • Wooden Knobs
  • Glass Knobs
  • Sea glass
  • Corks
  • Glass tiles
  • Glass filler blobs
  • Wool Roving
  • Wool Locks
  • Wool Yarn
• Big Loose Parts:
  • Cardboard Mailing Tubes
  • PVC Pipes
  • Boards
  • Stumps
  • Tires
  • Cardboard Cove Molding
  • Tarps
  • Large Spools
  • Cable Drums
  • Pegboard
  • Baskets
  • Buckets

• Small Loose Parts
  • Pompoms
  • Buttons
  • Marbles
  • Dominoes
  • Poker Chips
  • Washers
  • Nuts & Bolts
  • Thread Spools
• Recycled Loose Parts
  • Toilet Paper and Paper Towel Tubes
  • Jar Tops
  • Jars
  • Squeezy Pouch Tops
  • Old Marker Tops
  • Bottle Caps
  • Cardboard boxs and packages
  • Easter Eggs
  • Shower Rings
  • Velcro Curlers
• Kitchen Loose Parts:
  • Silicone Cupcake Liners
  • Ice Cube Tray
  • Muffin Tray
  • Bowls
  • Spoons
  • Ladles
  • Straws
  • Napkin Rings
  • Placemats and Cloth Napkins

• Food Loose Parts:
  • Beans
  • Lentils
  • Pasta
  • Cool Whip

• Loose Part Tools
  • Escargot Tongs
  • Wooden Clothespins
  • Masking Tape
  • Washi Tape
  • Electrical Tape
  • Plumber’s Tape
  • Scoops
  • Funnels
  • Cable Ties
  • Balance
  • Scissors
  • Mirrors
  • Magnets (Even older kids should be supervised with magnets!)

• Long List of Blocks
  • Tree Branch Blocks
  • Rainbow Tunnel Blocks
  • LEGO
  • DUPLO
  • K’nex
  • Magna-Tiles
  • Tegu
• The Doughs
  • Bread Dough
  • Play Doh
  • Slime Putty
  • Kinetic Sand
  • Floam
  • Shaving Cream
• Fabric and String
  • Wool I-Cord
  • Play Silks
  • Sheets
  • Ribbon
  • Rope
  • Embroidery Thread
  • Paracord

• All the Balls
  • Wiffle Balls
  • Kick Balls
  • Wool Balls
  • Cloth balls
  • T-shirt yarn balls
  • Golf Balls

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