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What is Loose Parts play?

The concept of Loose Parts play originates from the work of British architect and designer Simon Nicholson, who introduced the theory in 1971. His influential paper, "How Not to Cheat Children: The Theory of Loose Parts," laid the foundation for this approach to play and learning.

He believed that the creativity and inventiveness of children are directly related to the variety and flexibility of materials in their environment. Materials that can be moved, combined, redesigned, taken apart, and put back together—encourage more creative engagement.

Natural and Everyday Materials: Loose parts can be anything from sticks, stones, and shells to fabric scraps, cardboard tubes, and bottle caps.

Why is Loose Parts play important? 

Loose Parts play encourages children to explore, build and create using a wide range of materials in an unstructured and imaginative way.  It supports:

  • Imagination and creativity
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking
  • Physical development and coordination
  • Collaboration and communication

 

Loose Parts Carmarthenshire

The Council’s Play Team wanted to facilitate and encourage Loose Parts play in schools across Carmarthenshire and needed to establish a resource that was both safe and freely available.  Working in partnership with the Council’s Waste Team and Cwm Environmental, the Loose Parts project at Eto was developed. 

The Eto project & Loose Parts

The Eto reuse project had already been established to extend the life of household items donated at recycling centres.  Its aim to create a circular economy in Carmarthenshire.  Items donated across the county by residents are checked, repaired and sometimes upcycled into new items, sold at the Canolfan Eto Nantycaws, or at community events across the county.

Donations are also checked for items suitable for Loose Parts play.  These are inspected to ensure they are safe, before being made available at a dedicated storage area for schools.  A simple booking system was created for schools to access the free items, and following the success of an initial trial, the scheme will open to all primary schools across the County by the end of 2025.  

 

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