Open-ended resources – what are they and how can you use them?

You might have come across the term ‘open-ended’ resources. It’s a phrase widely used in early years settings and on some social media sites. Now your baby is getting older, you’re likely to start hearing it more. 

‘Open-ended’ resources is a broad term for toys or objects that can be played with in a variety of ways.  

What can open-ended resources be? 

They can be a mix of all kinds of things. Typically, they are objects and toys that can have more than one use and are not limited to being one thing.  

They can be played with on their own or combined with other toys and objects (your baby is the one who decides how to use them).  

For example, a toy that looks like a cake will (usually) be used to represent a cake when your toddler plays. A plain wooden block or a toilet roll, however, could be used to represent a cake, a car, a house or anything else your baby can imagine as they grow older.  

Imagination not instruction 

Open-ended resources can be used in more than one way. They don't need instructions; they just need imagination.  

Even though your baby still has a long way to go in terms of developing their imagination, allowing them time to freely explore toys and other objects will help them to develop a stronger imagination. 

No right or wrong 

There is no right or wrong way to play with open-ended toys and objects.  

This helps your baby to develop lots of lovely thinking skills which will benefit them greatly as they grow and develop. 

Creating and experimenting  

Putting together a collection of open-ended resources will encourage your baby to create and experiment. They can move things, rotate them, flip them... the possibilities are endless.  

Open-ended resources put your baby in control of their own explorations and decision-making as they have no end goal or direction to guide them.  

Examples of open-ended resources 

Natural objects                                                   

stones / twigs / leaves                                           

sand / water / mud                                     

grass / pinecones / feathers

Shop bought 

plastic garden pots / boxes / bottles     

rope / belts / fabric     

blocks / chalk / play dough                    

Remember that although your baby might be less likely to put everything in their mouth now, they are still likely to do some exploring by tasting, so ensure any open-ended items you offer your baby are safe for them to mouth.