When choosing loose parts for infants and toddlers, avoid materials that are choking hazards. That being said, there are many different materials that can be introduced to infants and toddlers:

• Cardboard food and packing containers
• Plastic bottles, yogurt cups, and empty spice containers
• Various fabric scraps or doilies
• Pots, pans, funnels, and utensils
• Large spools
• Baskets and tin containers
• Various lids
• Paper towel rolls and tubes of various sizes and materials
• Pompoms and cotton balls
• Various sizes and shapes of foam
• Large beads and napkin rings
• Nature items such as mini gourds, leaves, shells, etc.
• Wooden pegs and dowel rods
• Tile samples
• Wooden planks

There are many other materials that you could use – what loose parts have you used with infants and toddlers?  Tell us on Facebook here!

For the main article Exploring Loose Parts, CLICK HERE

For the article Benefits of Loose Parts, CLICK HERE

For the article Loose Parts for Older Children, CLICK HERE

For the article Director’s Corner – Helping Teachers Get Started with Loose Parts, CLICK HERE