Open-Ended Play Shelves - Our Current Play Space Set up

May 13
6 min read

Updated: May 27

open-ended play for kids. open ended toy shelves blog post.. early years learning

I recently changed up what was on our open-ended play shelves in our play space for the first time in a little while, so I decided to write a blog post about what we currently have out on our toy shelves.

This play space is in the corner of our lounge room. We use a white house bookshelf that I bought from Mocka Australia quite a few years back now. This shelf has room on the floor in front of it that can be used for play and building creations.

In the classroom I would use a similar type of set up. Shelves for the block area + some small world props and figurines in baskets or just on the shelf to invite play. Space in front of the shelf to build and create in. Material in a variety of colours and textures works well in this area too, to encourage imaginative and creative play.

*IMPORTANT: Please note that these play ideas contain small parts, which are a choking hazard for young children. These play ideas are suitable for children ages 3+. All play ideas should be actively supervised by an adult. It is your responsibility to determine the suitability of these ideas for your child/ren.

What's currently on our open-ended play shelves to invite play:

Bottom shelf:

Building blocks and play silks + material

We have the Grimms semi circles in rainbow and natural in a container
A large basket that has the blocks from the Grimms Large Stepped Pyramid in it + some of the Grimms stairs blocks.
On the floor next to the shelf is the Grimms 1001 Nights Building block set, Grimms rainbow bridges, and Grimms rainbow building boards (you definitely don't need all of these!)
Basket of play silks, material and some scarves for creative play (these are a favourite with my girls and are always left out).

Why?

Baskets close to the floor make it easy to pull the blocks out. The large space/mat in front of the shelf makes the perfect surface to play, with lots of room to build.

I keep loved materials and toys out, such as the basket of material/silks, as they are used a lot for all different types of play by my three girls.

I changed up how the blocks were stored. They were in the wooden tray and sitting as the large stepped pyramid. Putting them into a basket, made them feel new again and renewed the girls' interest in playing with them.