What is Heuristic Play?

 

Heuristic play is an enriching type of play where babies, toddlers and young children interact with objects from the real world. The goal of heuristic play is to provide a wide range of sensory stimulation to help children discover and learn things for themselves. The term “heuristic” comes from the Greek word “eurisko,” meaning “I discover.” It’s all about encouraging discovery, experimentation, and independent learning.

While engaging in heuristic play, babies, toddlers and young children are given access to a wide variety of safe, everyday items—often made of natural materials—such as wooden spoons, metal pots, fabric pieces, pine cones, or cardboard tubes. These objects are not toys in the traditional sense but are open-ended and allow children to use their imagination and curiosity freely.

 

What are the benefits of Heuristic Play?

Supports Independent Thinking:
Babies, toddlers and young children learn best through hands-on exploration. Heuristic play encourages them to make their own choices and explore without adult instruction.

Sensory Exploration:
Natural and varied textures, sounds, weights, and shapes help stimulate all the senses, promoting sensory development.

Enables Problem-Solving and Creativity
Babies, toddlers and young children learn cause and effect, experiment with balance, test ideas, and discover new ways to use materials—skills that support problem-solving and creativity.

Builds Concentration and Focus
With no fixed outcome, heuristic play holds babies, toddlers and young children’s attention longer and strengthens their ability to focus.

Encourages Motor Skills Development
Grasping, lifting, stacking, and manipulating objects helps improve both fine and gross motor skills.

 Fosters Confidence and Independence
Because the play is self-directed, children gain confidence as they learn to trust their own ideas and abilities.

 

What Does a Heuristic Play Session Look Like?

A typical session involves a calm, safe space where babies, toddlers and young children have free access to a “treasure basket” or a selection of everyday objects. Our early years educators observe and support the play allowing babies, toddlers and young children to follow their interests.

 

How Can Parents Support Heuristic Play at Home?

You can encourage heuristic play at home by:

• Creating a small treasure basket with safe household items (e.g., a wooden spoon, soft cloth, metal lid).
• Supervising closely but allowing your child to explore freely.
• Keep it simple and open ended – Avoid toys that beep, flash, or make noises!
  • • • • • • • Giving your child time and space without directing their play

How can you get involved?

We are looking for both natural and household items for our indoor and outdoor areas. If you have any items from the list below that are safe and in good condition, we would appreciate if you could bring them in. This would also help us with diversity and inclusion ensuring we are reflecting your child’s experience in their home.

 

    Kitchen equipment                                                                                                          

cooking utensils

food packages,

weighing scales, colander, baking trays, woks,

chopsticks, Saucepans, measuring cups, jugs, whisks, spoons

Magazines

Old TV controls/Mobile phone (no batteries or sims)

Egg cartons (un-used)

Empty clean yogurt pots

 

Role play

Hi vis/hard hats

Stethoscope

 

     Nature                                                                                                             

Pine cones

Tree stumps (sanded down)

Nuts and bolts

Crates (wooden)

Stones

Shell

 

 Textiles

Fabrics (different textures)

Wallpaper (different textures)

Ribbons

Cloth dusters (clean)

Thank you