Heuristic Play treasure baskets - whats in yours?

[llynnnn]

Just getting ready to sort a treasure/ wnaky (hope thats the right word!) basket for dd 13months. just wondered exactly what are the best things to put in it and what is the most popular?

I worked in a nursery with 1-2's and I used absolutely anything everything - I went round each room in the house and took things

Bathroom - flannel, loofah, sponge, soap,
Bedroom - lavendar bag, slippers, candles, small teddy, jewelry box, necklaces, bangles
Kitchen - pots and pans, cutlery, kiwi, potato, wooden spoon, grater,
Lounge - cds, candles, bag of pot pourri, nesting dolls, small pots

etc, etc, I didn't use plastic, or any toys - just things that are round the house that are interesting to exlore,

Try googling

silk scarf, metal things errrr can't remember what else pastry brush (wood)

My wnaky basket has:
wooden spoons,
set of nesting enamel pots,
tins of different shapes and sizes some with hinged lids,
curtain rings,
leather box from south america,
small egg whisk,
crochet mats,
coasters,
wooden egg cup,
wooden foot massager,
old mobile phone,
ribbons of different colours,
clear plastic bottles with bead, buttons, lentils inside (be careful as they get older that they can't unscrew them)
pack of playing cards
sponge,
loofah,
big smooth stone/pebble with an interesting hole in it,

that's all i can think of without looking (i'll have a look later and add things i missed)

I've got over 900 items in my baskets so I won't list them all [brag]

Some fab ideas on here. I would leave out kiwi fruit as the latest advice is not to give this to young children as it is highly allergenic. Citrus fruits and hard vegetables are a good alternative - watch for biting bits off, that could be choked on.

feathers
pine cone
bamboo coaster
metal ball ornament thing
small metal candle stick
mushroom brush
small whisk
measuring spoons
string of christmas decoration beads
small length of string with lots of knots in it
cork coaster
3 interlinked metal bangles
wooden massager roller thing from body shop
small fabric bag you get with soapnuts

that's all i can remember.

ps. ikea is good for small wnaky things, look in their market hall area. they also do lots of nice round baskets.

velcro

Those scrunchie things you use in the shower. I got a fab long plaited one in a set once from Poundland

an empty wipes packet has provided weeks of entertainment too

looks interesting... what is heuristic play?

learning by exploring by touch etc

ah thanks! doing it without even realising ..

thanks for everyones replies. I cant wait to get started! think dd will love it, she spends ages playing with things she shouldnt have at the moment!!
think I'm going to need a big basket!!

loads of cool stuff

will he play with it? no

only interested in: wheels of his buggy, my bike, my shoes. wtf?

lulu my dd is obsessed with shoes too! she carries dh's massive smelly work boots through the house! so strange!

Started one of these for dd4 aged 14mths. Didn't know they had a name. Some fab ideas. She loves playing cards . Got a big piece of bark in mine which she likes too (check that it isn't poisonous first though!).

I know this thread is very old, but FrannyandZooey, do you still have your file with a list of good ideas for a treasure basket? Thanks!