It’s no secret that at eatsleepdoodle we love all things fun! Whether we're crafting, playing pretend, splashing in puddles or colouring away, playtime is serious business for us.

But in the world of children's development, it turns out that not all play is created equal. You might have stumbled across terms like open-ended and closed-ended play while scrolling through social media or reading online. So, what do these terms mean and why should we learn more about them?

With buzzing toy trends and parenting advice, understanding the differences between open-ended and closed-ended activities can be a game-changer for your little one's growth and development. Plus, it may help you when you’re scratching your head for activity ideas!

So, if you’re wondering what makes open-ended play so special and how you can weave more of it into your child's daily adventures, then read on as we unravel the magic of playtime!

 

Open-ended vs Closed-ended play

 

What is open ended play and why is it important?

Simply put, open-ended play is the concept of allowing children to play creatively and freely without limitations or boundaries. For example, you may remember as a child sitting down with something simple like pebbles, sand or pens and paper and simply exploring it. This type of play has no end goal or rules and instead encourages experimentation and imagination. This is the essence of open-ended play: exploring and having fun without boundaries or instructions.

Unlike structured activities like puzzles or card games (which have clear rules, instructions and set outcomes), open-ended play lets children’s imagination take the lead. With no “right” or “wrong” way to play, they’re free to express themselves fully, exploring their independence and creativity. As a result, this kind of play builds essential skills like problem-solving, imagination, and self-confidence, unlocking endless possibilities along the way.

 

Which is better?

Neither type of play is better nor superior to the other! Both open and closed ended activities are important and support development in different ways.

Closed-ended toys have a clear beginning and end. These are fantastic for helping kids focus, follow rules and work toward a specific goal.

They teach problem-solving, perseverance and the importance of finishing a task - all vital skills for school and later life! As they are designed with a specific purpose, they can also be great for spatial reasoning, self-regulation and fine motor control. Think puzzles, board games or colour sorting activities - these are all great examples of closed-ended toys!

 

On the other hand, open-ended toys can be used in countless ways with no fixed outcome. They’re brilliant for encouraging imagination, pretend play and out-of-the-box thinking! These activities also allow children to feel ‘boredom’ and encourage them to become creative to entertain themselves! Items like craft materials, dolls and building blocks are great open-ended toys.

Plus, there are some toys that can be both open-ended and closed-ended activities. For example, building a specific Lego set as per the instructions might be closed-ended as it has a clear goal and end point, however using Lego to build freely is a classic open-ended activity!

The main takeaway isn’t open vs. closed but rather a balance of the two. Giving your child access to both types of play ensures they have plenty of opportunities to develop a wide range of skills and, most importantly, enjoy themselves along the way!

Open-ended play ideas:

One perk of open-ended activities is that they are incredibly simple and easy to set up – you probably have all the materials you need already. From clay to felt tip pens to even a pile of leaves, playing with the simplest objects can spark hours of creative fun! Here are a few suggestions of open-ended play to get you started:

 

Arts and Crafts:

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again… we absolutely love getting arty! Plus, arts and crafts can be wonderfully open-ended. Following directions for a specific project is fun but giving kids free access to craft materials like dough, paint or pens unlocks a whole new level of creativity. With no rules or guidelines, children can paint, draw, sculpt or doodle to their heart’s content, letting their imaginations take the lead.

It couldn’t be simpler (although do be prepared for some cleaning up!). All you need to do is gather some materials, lay them out on a table and let the magic happen with no pressure to create something specific. Get the paper ready, the paints flowing and the glue sticks rolling - it’s time to go wild with art!

 

Blocks:

Blocks are a true playtime essential and the ultimate open-ended toy! With just a handful of blocks, kids can create anything their imagination dreams up. They might start by stacking them into towers, counting them or even zooming them around like cars. One moment, they’re building a throne or a library, the next it’s a castle, a spaceship or something entirely new!

The beauty of blocks is their incredible versatility. Whether they’re colourful or natural wood, perfectly square or delightfully irregular, a good set of wooden blocks is an absolute must-have for open-ended play. With blocks, kids can build, sort, carry, count and imagine to their heart’s content – if you’re looking for a toy that truly defines open-ended play, this is the one!

 

Dolls, Cuddly Toys and Figures:

Dolls, cuddly toys and figures are the ultimate companions for imaginative play! Whether it’s a fancy doll, one crafted from an old water bottle or wooden spoon, or a beloved stuffed animal these simple characters can inspire endless adventures. Kids can dream up ever-changing scenarios for example, hosting tea parties, going on wild expeditions or playing house.

We love that playing pretend is one of the easiest and most accessible forms of open-ended play, requiring little to no materials. With a doll in hand and a big imagination, the possibilities are limitless!

 

Reusable colouring:

It wouldn’t be an eatsleepdoodle blog without talking about colouring!

Whilst conventional colouring books are considered an example of closed-ended play due to their clear end goal and ability to be used once, our reusable colour-in products are a great way to make colouring more open-ended. Since our products can be coloured in, washed and coloured again, this allows children unlimited possibilities for how they colour, what they draw and more!

 

From arts and crafts to blocks there are so many open ways to have FUN! It’s also important to remember that what’s most important is that children have plenty of opportunities to play - and that they experience the benefits of both open-ended and closed-ended play.

While we’re big fans of open-ended play and all the incredible ways it encourages creativity, independence, and imagination, it’s vital not to overlook the role of closed-ended play in a child’s development, for example in their problem-solving skills!

Closed-ended play may not be Instagram-worthy, but it’s a playtime essential. These activities help kids hone important life skills like focus, patience, playing with others and goal-setting. Plus, don’t worry if your child has already completed the activity before - they’ll often love revisiting it or playing again! Repetition is hugely important for learning, helping kids refine and master skills over time, making closed-ended play a real unsung hero.

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about open-ended play and how you can encourage it yourself, whilst feeling inspired to incorporate more open-ended activities into your child’s day and still appreciating the value of structured play. After all, playtime is the foundation for so much growth, learning and most importantly, fun!

 

Don’t forget, you can get in touch with us on social media and share your adventures and colouring creations by using #eatsleepdoodle – we always love to see what you’re up to! You can also tag us on Instagram (@eatsleepdoodle_), Facebook (@eatsleepdoodlehq) and TikTok (@eatsleepdoodle_).