Studies undertaken in the 1970’s concluded that playing with loose parts/ scrap is important to children’s play because it encourages imagination and creativity in ways that traditional toys do not. Synthetic loose parts include but are not limited to; tyres, ropes, fabric, buckets, pallets, crates, baskets, plastic tubing, cardboard boxes, tarpaulins, flower pots, ice cube trays, kitchen items and utensils, spools and plastic bottles in fact anything you can think of that might be otherwise thrown away.

The studies also concluded that apart from firing up the imagination and creativity of children that they also observed the following outcomes:

• Loose parts can be used anyway children choose
• Loose parts can be adapted and manipulated in many ways
• They promote a wide variety of play behaviours, including social play, dramatic play, constructive play and symbolic play
• Loose parts develop more skill and competence than most modern plastic toys
• Loose parts help in promoting Mathematics and Science concepts and benefit problem-solving skills
• Children of all ages can play with the same materials and use them in different ways, appropriate for their age development
• Loose parts can be used in combination with other materials to support imagination
• Loose parts encourage open ended learning
• Children choose loose parts over fancy toys
• Children become calm and confident over time
• Loose parts are inclusive, children with disabilities can also participate

So, the next time you buy your child a toy and they play with the box in came in more than the gift you can now understand why. It’s certain to make Christmas cheaper this year!