For young children, the most powerful learning happens through play — and the best part is, you don’t need fancy toys or expensive gadgets to make it happen.
“Play is how children make sense of the world,” says Karen Gawen from Sunshine Coast Libraries. “When they explore, create, and imagine, they’re developing essential life skills — and it all begins at home.”
From problem-solving and communication to motor skills and emotional development, play lays the foundation for everything a child will go on to learn. And with a few everyday items, parents can easily create meaningful play experiences that help their little ones grow.
Here are Karen’s top budget-friendly play ideas to help kids learn through play.
6 play ideas that help kids to learn
1. Paintbrush and Water Bucket
Give your child an old paintbrush and a bucket of water, and let them ‘paint’ on the fence, patio, or pavement. Drawing helps develop fine motor skills, encourages creativity, and builds concentration. For little ones who are still learning to speak, it’s also a wonderful way to communicate.
2. Scavenger Hunt
Set up a simple scavenger hunt in your home or backyard. It can be a written list, or for those little ones still developing their early literacy skills, pictures on your phone or tablet can work just as well. You can list everyday items, colours, or shapes for them to find or make it trickier by hiding specific objects for them to seek. This kind of activity boosts observation skills and memory — and it’s a lot of fun!
3. Build a Fort
Whether it’s inside or outside, kids love being in enclosed, cosy places! Use blankets, furniture or garden stakes to build a secret place for them to read or play. These fun spaces are great for quiet time, reading, or pretend play, all of which support emotional development and storytelling skills.
4. Cardboard Box Adventures
A cardboard box might be the most underrated toy ever. Big or small, boxes can become spaceships, race cars, or submarines. With tape, pencils, paper plates for wheels, or spare cardboard, you can help your child bring their wildest ideas to life. This kind of open-ended play nurtures creativity, design thinking, and perseverance.
5. Backyard Obstacle Course
Create a DIY obstacle course with items you already have: hoops, boxes, chalk, or even masking tape. Challenge your child to crawl under, hop over, or balance across different elements. Not only is it great exercise, but it also enhances coordination, spatial awareness, and confidence. Set a time trial, or see if they can design their own obstacle course. Not only are not only problem-solving and developing motor skills and muscles, but it’s also a fantastic way to wear them out.
6. Messy Play
Make playdough from ingredients in your cupboard. Set up a sensory table with containers of jelly, cold spaghetti noodles or rice. Conduct some science experiments with water and food colouring. Messy play stimulates the senses, encourages curiosity, and builds resilience. Plus, part of being a kid is the absolute joy of getting very, very messy!
For more ideas for ways to play, head to library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
Related Stories
Sensory play and its importance in early learning
Early literacy games you can play anytime and anywhere
How creative play can improve your child’s early literacy
