What is Constructive Play in Early Years?

Constructive play in early years refers to play activities where children create, build or assemble something using materials or resources. It is a form of play that involves the child physically manipulating objects to make, design or shape things. Through constructive play, children use their problem solving skills, explore ideas and experiment with different ways to achieve a desired outcome.

This type of play often involves blocks, sand, clay, loose parts, recycled materials, Lego, magnetic tiles and other open-ended resources. It can take place indoors or outdoors and may be structured or unstructured, depending on the context. The focus is on the process of creation rather than the finished product.

Children in early years settings often engage in constructive play both alone and with others. They may work individually to build a tower, a bridge or a pretend shop, or they might collaborate to create a whole town from blocks.

Features of Constructive Play

Constructive play has several unique features that make it valuable in early years development.

• It is active and hands-on, requiring physical manipulation of objects
• It often has a tangible product or visible outcome
• It allows children to express ideas in a physical form
• It encourages planning, sequencing steps and working towards goals
• It builds persistence as children try different approaches to achieve results

During constructive play, children often move between planning and experimenting. They might start with an idea in their mind, then adapt and change that idea as they discover what works and what does not. This flexibility mirrors real-life problem solving and helps them develop adaptive thinking.

Types of Materials Used in Constructive Play

Different resources can be used to support constructive play in early years. Offering a range of options helps children explore different textures, shapes and sizes.

• Blocks – Wooden blocks, foam blocks, plastic bricks and magnetic tiles
• Natural materials – Sticks, stones, pinecones, shells and leaves
• Loose parts – Bottle tops, cardboard tubes, fabric pieces and small boxes
• Sand and water – For shaping, moulding and constructing with tools like buckets and spades
• Clay and dough – For sculpting and modelling shapes
• Recycled items – Packaging materials, egg cartons, shoe boxes and plastic containers

The use of open-ended materials means there is no fixed way to use them, which stimulates creativity. Recycled and natural materials also encourage children to see possibilities in everyday objects.

Developmental Benefits of Constructive Play

Constructive play supports many areas of the early years curriculum and early learning goals.

Physical Development
Children use fine motor skills when assembling small parts, handling tools and arranging materials. They use gross motor skills to carry heavier blocks, dig in sand and arrange large outdoor structures.

Communication and Language
During group constructive play, children negotiate roles, explain ideas and describe their creations. They learn to listen, take turns and use descriptive language.

Mathematics
Constructing with blocks involves concepts like size, shape, height, weight and symmetry. Children learn about patterns, measure and spatial awareness.

Understanding the World
Children explore cause and effect when materials behave differently. They discover that wet sand holds shape better than dry sand, or that cardboard needs support to stand upright.

Creative Development
Constructive play encourages imagination. A pile of blocks can become a castle, a garage or an animal. Children combine creativity with practical skills to produce their own designs.

The Role of Adults in Supporting Constructive Play

Adults have a significant role in facilitating constructive play. It is not about directing the play, but guiding and supporting it. Adults can:

• Provide a variety of suitable materials in accessible spaces
• Offer time for uninterrupted play
• Join in with the play without taking control
• Ask open-ended questions like “What do you need next?”
• Model how to use tools or combine materials
• Help children reflect on their creations

Observation is key. By watching how children interact with materials, adults can identify developmental progress and note what skills are emerging.

Linking Constructive Play to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

Constructive play links to many EYFS areas. It is particularly connected to:

• Physical development through handling materials and tools
• Communication and language when describing, planning and discussing ideas
• Mathematics through measuring, counting and shape recognition
• Expressive arts and design through creating and experimenting

When documenting constructive play for assessments, practitioners can note the learning outcomes observed. These might include increased use of mathematical language, better problem solving or improved fine motor skills.

Social Skills in Constructive Play

Constructive play in groups promotes cooperation and conflict resolution. Children learn to share materials, divide tasks and listen to each other’s suggestions. They might face challenges, such as different ideas about how to build something. This gives them the chance to practise negotiation and compromise.

Working as part of a team allows children to recognise different strengths. One child might be good at balancing blocks, while another is good at thinking of what to build next.

Encouraging Creativity Through Constructive Play

Giving children freedom to choose resources promotes creative thinking. Avoid limiting them to only using materials for their typical purpose. For example, a cardboard tube could be a telescope, a drainpipe for a water game or part of a rocket.

Adults can enhance creativity by:

• Asking “Can you think of another way to use that?”
• Suggesting new combinations of materials
• Allowing mixed media projects
• Providing large and small scale resources

Constructive Play in Outdoor Environments

Outdoor constructive play allows for larger scale building. Children might use planks, crates, tyres and large blocks to make forts or obstacle courses. Natural spaces offer sticks, stones and mud for more organic creations.

Outdoor play supports physical development and spatial awareness. It gives children more freedom of movement and the chance to explore construction with less restriction.

Safety is important. Adults should check that resources are safe to handle and that play areas are clear of hazards. Outdoor constructive play should still allow risk-taking within safe limits.

Observing and Assessing Constructive Play

Observation helps assess skills developed through constructive play. Practitioners can look for signs such as:

• Persistence in problem solving
• Cooperation with others
• Use of mathematical concepts
• Effective use of materials
• Creativity and originality

Using photos and notes can help record evidence for portfolios. It can also support planning for future activities to extend learning.

Challenges in Constructive Play

Young children sometimes become frustrated if their creation falls apart or does not match their vision. Adults can help by encouraging them to try again, adapt the design and celebrate effort.

Other challenges may include limited resources, which can lead to conflict over materials. Practitioners can rotate materials or use group tasks to promote sharing.

Noise levels can be high during enthusiastic group play. Setting up spaces where children can focus without disturbance may benefit those who prefer quieter activities.

Supporting Inclusion in Constructive Play

All children should be able to take part in constructive play. This might mean adapting materials for children with physical disabilities or providing extra support for those with limited language skills.

Inclusive practice could include:

• Using larger or lighter blocks for children with limited strength
• Offering alternative tools for children with fine motor difficulties
• Encouraging peer support within play
• Using visual aids to help explain activities

Examples of Constructive Play Activities

Activities that promote constructive play in early years include:

• Building towers with blocks and measuring their height
• Creating animal sculptures with clay or dough
• Designing a pretend shop using recycled packaging
• Making obstacle courses from tyres, crates and planks
• Constructing boats from sticks and testing them in water trays
• Creating miniature towns in sand pits with roads and buildings

By varying these activities, children experience different textures, scales and techniques.

Final Thoughts

Constructive play offers rich opportunities for learning, creativity and skill building in early years. It develops physical abilities, promotes problem solving and encourages social interaction. Allowing children to explore, test ideas and adapt their plans builds resilience.

The role of the adult is to create an environment with diverse materials, time for exploration and support that encourages, rather than controls, the play. By valuing the process of making and building, rather than the end product, children gain confidence in their abilities and develop a love of learning that supports their wider development across the EYFS.