Toys for open ended play.

[HarryPotterFan436]

My children are 3.5 and 1. I have a few little bits put to one side for them but am looking for some good toys that encourage open ended play. Toys that come out a lot at the moment are duplo and happyland, both of which I'm happy to end to but I'm just wondering if there is anything else I could be looking at for them? Thank you.

Any kind of role play toys such as kitchen and accessories, garage and vehicles, dressing up, pretend tools, dolls house and furniture. Basically anything that mimics every day life.

How about the grimms rainbow? www.babipur.co.uk/grimms-rainbow-twelve.html It’s been a huge hit here

Oh yes the grimms elements are all lovely- my 10 year old enjoys them with my little grandson- real open ended as they can become whatever you want them to be- bridges for toys or houses/shelters or towers or artwork...

We got a lot of use out of a mud kitchen at that age. Also playdoh - as well as for modelling it often because food for animals, made walls for farms etc. Big bits of fabric are good too - Can be cloaks, or a field for horses, or a blanket for a doll.

My nursery/school has mostly open ended stuff - best things are big bits of fabric (throws/pashminas/scarves etc all good) , wooden unit blocks (very expensive though but will last forever), metal containers (eg stainless steel curry dishes, spoons, utensils) playdough & stuff to use - sticks are always popular (real or wooden coffee stirrers), bangles for dressing up, loose parts that are used for various things (shells, pinecones, curtain rings etc - obviously age appropriate with a toddler) & a big cardboard box is the ultimate best toy!

If you actually want to buy stuff 😬 Grimms stuff is lovely.

I love the idea of the grimms rainbow. I just hope they would find enough uses for it. Maybe it can be used with the duplo or for cars or something. Thank you for all the suggestions so far.

Grimms rainbow, play silks, tree blocks, play frame, light box, tuff tray, water table

Gigi bloks www.gigibloks.com/?ls=en&cache=false
Topanifarm www.crafts4kids.co.uk/djeco-topanifarm or the jungle version www.crafts4kids.co.uk/djeco-topanijungle-stacking-cubes-toy

My DD loves the Grimm's rainbow friend peg doll things. She has a rainbow too and they get used a lot.

There's a group called loose parts play on fb that's good.

I'd love one of those rainbows but too expensive for me.

I'm a childminder & they all love the giant Jenga & seem to do all sorts with it. We have it in playhouse outside but considering bringing it on for winter!

Also meant to say more unusual instruments are good - try wooden claves, cabasa, rainstick & thundermaker & kalimba

My daughter got a wooden play kitchen from aldi for her 2nd Christmas. She plays kitchen with it but also all sorts of other things - the sink became a swimming pool for her doll; she pretends the knobs are buttons on a computer; the food can be built into towers and knocked over. You'd be amazed at how open ended most (non battery operated) toys can be!

Thank you so much for all these suggestions. Off the back of this thread I have ordered the sunset version of the grimms rainbow and some of those gigi bloks. The blocks look fantastic. I only hope they are as good as they appear.

I got a cheaper version of the grimms rainbow on amazon, I think the bran is little stars montessori.

We have a play tent that is still popular with my two at 7 and 5 (I just got it out again to sell but they aren't letting me!)

I never got it, but I remember many on MN recommending these a few years ago -
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000UEQI1G/?psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it&coliid=I3I6AU2RTBFJL7&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&colid=32KNIAVSAD0E5

Magnatiles! My 6 and 3 year old play with them daily. I bought for the eldest’s first birthday and a second set for the youngest’s first birthday. Thinking of buying a third set this Xmas as they both use them so much and are starting to fight over them now the youngest is more involved...

Brio
Duplo
Mud kitchen
Sand pit
Water table

Nice thick waterproof suits so they can play with the above in all weathers 😊

Magnatiles. I regret not buying them when my 2 were younger, although I bought some for DS last year and he still loves them at 10.

Oh I forgot Geomag. Even my almost ten year old loves them. Keeps all 3dc quiet for ages.

The wooden train track got a lot of use too.