As a child, do you remember the feeling of just sitting with a material, of exploring it, without any end-goal in mind? It could have been pebbles, water or wooden blocks, sand, fabric or play-dough. The point is that you didn't know what you were going to do when you started, only that you felt the urge to experiment. This is open-ended play.

Simply put, open-ended toys are toys that can be played with in multiple and varied ways and they are often described as toys that are 90% child and 10% toy as they leave plenty of room for endless creativity and imagination. They also last for years - in fact, the same toy can usually be played with by a baby, a toddler, a preschooler and even beyond. Today, the team at Mother Tongue are going to share our top must have open-ended toys, perfect for lots of play during the hotter summer months.

Magnetic tiles

Magna tiles encourage free play and reduce screen time while encouraging interest in STEM learning. The magnetic shapes come in a rainbow of bright, brilliant colours and “click” together to create letters, numbers, animals, buildings, and anything else children can imagine! They keep little ones entertained at any age and opportunity is endless. These can be found at Mumzworld.com

Animal figures

These were probably the first few toys that really encourage little ones to embark on the journey of pretend play and role play. Start with zoo animals and farm animals as these are the ones your kids will recognise and identify with most from the books you read etc. They can be used in conjunction with lots of other open-ended toys and are also great for teaching little ones animal noses. We love THESE from Mumz & Munckinz.

Building blocks

Building blocks are all mathematically proportionate to each other and therefore are a handy resource for visualising mathematical concepts and learning through play. They are also big and chunky so can be used by young toddlers too. For a complete set, we love the VIGA wooden blocks from Elli Junior.

Train tracks

As well as being a favourite with children exploring their connecting schema, a traditional wooden railway offers limitless iterations and directions and as such is great toy for open-ended play. With a railway pieces can be connected and disconnected, figures added, towns built and forests navigated. And the next day something entirely different can happen. We love the JaBaDaBaDo Train Set from Elli Junior.

Colourful rainbow

Children can sort and stack forms and colours and build with the blocks. While stacking, the eye-hand coordination is stimulated and fine motor skills are trained plus this rainbow will always be integrated in playing with a lot of fantasy. It is also great to teaching colours and making bridges for cars, animals and other toys to go over or under!

Dolls house

Who lives in a doll's house? Parents, children, and pets. Who comes to visit? Neighbours, friends, the postman. What do they eat? What do they bring? Does everyone get along? So many stories. As open-ended as life itself. The Olli Ella hold barn is great for on-the-go!