As a parent, finding time for yourself can be challenging. It’s often tempting to turn to screen time for a quick solution when laundry needs to be done or dinner has to be made, but children can occupy themselves in more meaningful ways when they play independently with open-ended materials. Materials that encourage curiosity, creativity and imagination will keep children engaged in self-directed play. As children explore and experiment, they develop critical skills like persistence, problem-solving, cognitive flexibility, emotional awareness and concentration.
The great news is that family homes have what is needed already — there is no need to buy expensive new toys to encourage children to play. Here are some tips to create inviting settings for solo play.
- Make open-ended materials easily accessible to encourage self-direction. Place them within your child’s reach in containers that are easy to access. Some basic materials to always keep on hand are paper, scissors (if age appropriate), markers, crayons, pencils, tape, blue tape, glue sticks, blocks and molding dough. To mix things up, add in everyday household items like toilet paper tubes, fabric scraps, egg cartons and cardboard objects. These supplies are versatile, allowing your child to explore, build and create without specific instructions. This fosters their imagination and problem-solving skills.
- Instead of telling your child when you’d like them to play alone, try subtly setting out new materials when you need some time for yourself. This allows your child to discover the items independently and engage in creative exploration without feeling directed, making it more likely they’ll dive into independent play while you focus on other tasks.
- To keep your child’s interests, rotate the materials you offer. By keeping some items stored and only putting out a few at a time, you’ll stimulate your child’s curiosity and keep them engaged when you most need them to play independently. This approach also helps prevent boredom and encourages children to explore the available materials more deeply, creating fresh interest every time new items are introduced.
- Support flexible use of materials — provide access to multiple materials at once across different spaces in your home. If your child wants to take blue tape into the kitchen to connect chairs together to make a pen for an imaginary horse, that’s great! If they want to drag sheets, pillows, books and stuffed animals under the table to create a reading nook, fantastic! Children will have ideas you could never predict, so allowing them access to safe spaces and materials throughout your home will expand their creativity and imagination!
- Expect some mess when children engage in self-directed play — it’s a natural part of their exploration. Using open-ended materials encourages children to experiment, build and create in ways that can be unpredictable. While you can set expectations for cleanup, it’s important to recognize that the process of discovery is often messy.
Independent play is a gift that benefits both children and parents. By fostering an environment where children can explore and create freely, you’re nurturing critical life skills and encouraging their natural curiosity. At the same time, you’re carving out moments to recharge and focus on your own needs. With just a little preparation and a willingness to embrace the mess, your home can become a space where independent play thrives — and everyone in the family can find a bit more balance in their day.
