Last year as I contemplated the little gifts I wanted to give to the children in my Sunday School class, I specifically focused on finding items that fit into what is often called loose parts play.
It usually consists of items that allow for open-ended creative play for both indoors and outdoors. My focus was for mostly indoor play as the items I selected were little and for small hands. (Years ago, I discovered and ordered many items for my children from the Montessori site: For Small Hands. I still browse their site from time to time because it’s so sweet!)
I tried to be very selective as with the rise of dollar stores, an abundance of inexpensive items fill every home. Dover makes lovely little books of all kinds of activities for various interests and abilities and I usually get a good selection and price from Amazon. I forgot to take a picture of all the little books I gave them last year so these two are the only ones I can show.
Then my daughter found the posable dog and cat erasers at our local dollar store and we bought several bags because they are just so fun. I then added some wooden items of all kinds and uses, cut some colorful string and added a small amount of clay (not pictured). I packaged each kind of item in its own tiny paper bag so that even the fun of opening small packages was enjoyed as much as possible.
One of the moms later sent me this picture of her preschool aged son playing with the items later in the week. And others have sent videos of their children using the items as well.
This past June, for the end-of-year gift, I gave different Dover activity books, different wooden pieces, more clay, peg people and play scarves.
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Gift bags packed, tagged and ready to hand out.
 And here they are with their gift bags on our last Sunday School class this past June.
We are slated to restart class in the next few weeks.
I enjoy this time with them so much.
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