Exploring through treasure baskets

Age recommendation: 6 months and up

Download treasure baskets resource here

Tamariki are naturally curious and love to explore, and you might be surprised how much learning can come from a basket of everyday items.

Treasure baskets are filled with safe, interesting objects that babies, toddlers and young children can pick up, feel, squeeze, shake, roll and drop to their heart’s content. No flashing lights or noisy buttons here — just textures, shapes, sounds and weights that invite tamariki to investigate in their own way and in their own time.

There is no right or wrong way to play. One day it’s a sorting game, the next it’s a pretend soup made from loofahs and curtain rings. This kind of play (also called heuristic play) supports creativity, problem solving, focus, and rich language. Plus, it’s all aligned with Te Whāriki, Aotearoa’s early childhood curriculum.

So grab a basket, raid your kitchen drawers, bathroom cabinets and maybe even your handbag. You’ll be amazed what a jam jar lid or old makeup brush can turn into in the hands of a curious child. Just keep it safe, keep it simple, and enjoy the magic of loose parts play.

This activity is aligned with the principles of Te Whāriki, Aotearoa’s early childhood curriculum. It strongly supports the learning outcomes of the Exploration strand | Mana aotūroa, helping tamariki to observe, investigate, create and make sense of the world around them.