Hi Empowered Ed!Thanks for downloading this resource for educators.

I hope you find this resource useful – I love creating resources to support educators in the important work that they

do!  All downloads are Copyright protected to The EmpoweredEducator2019 Not to be distributed , transferred, or

shared in any form.

Personal Use Only: This document is for your own personal use. You agree that you will not copy, reproduce, alter,

modify, create derivative works, or publicly display any content from my downloads (except for your own personal,

non-commercial use). No Redistribution: You may not reproduce, repackage, or redistribute the contents of these

downloads, in whole or part, for any reason. This included ‘giving’ someone your copy that you are no longer using. 

Clipart / Images: All images used in this printable document are my owned by me with the appropriate licences or I

have gained permission to display (for non commercial purposes only) by the original owner. All images in this resource

are therefore copyright protected to The Empowered Educator. They cannot be reproduced or used in whole or part,

for any reason. 

You May Not:

Alter or sell my files. All file are for personal use only. You may not use my items for sale or profit, i.e. print them off,

laminate them and sell them to others.

Enjoy your new resource!

Jodie Clarke

Please note the following information before using...

www.theempowerededucatoronline.com

EASY ESSENTIALSI d e a s & M a t e r i a l s t o h e l p b u i l d y o u r D I Y C o l l e c t i o n

Webinar Handout 1.

2

INFANTS

My Top 5….

Ribbon (Short lengths) – Hang from chairs, trees outdoors, on wooden circles for grasping.

Fabric Pieces – Add different textures to baskets, the floor to lie on, interesting patterns to reach for. Walls in frames down low, sheer fabric rippling.

Silicone Cupcake Liners – Such a fantastic sensory tool for practising grasp and soothing sore gums! Try popping in the fridge.

Sponges, Hairbun Doughnuts– Easy to grip, reach for, roll around, squish and release. Fun to place on a tray with a little water for baby to reach for.Recycled Drink Bottles– mix it up with warm and cold water, large water dispensers for rolling games. Secure well.

1.

2.

4.

3.

5.

4

TODDLERS

My Top 5 …

Tin Cans – Use different sizes and ensure edges are smooth. Stack, roll, fill, empty, paint!

Containers/Boxes with Lids– Add to sensory and manipulative play spaces. Hide treasures inside opaque containers & colourful objects inside clear ones.

Large Smooth Rocks – Use for play food, money, counting, sorting, collecting & filling.

Jugs, Real Pots & Pans– Kickstart the dramatic play by adding real items to your home corner & outdoors.

Handbags & Small Buckets with Lids – for lots of filling, carting and dumping both indoors and out.

1.

2.

4.

3.

5.

Cardboard Boxes

Ribbon spools or reels

Perspex or unbreakable mirrors

Wood Cookies

Wooden spoons & ladles, Cups

Large smooth rocks/pebbles

Real pots and pans

Muffin tins/cake tins and trays

Washing basket with holes

Buckets & Baskets

MORE IDEAS…

w w w . t h e e m p o w e r e d e d u c a t o r o n l i n e . c o m

Jugs for pouring

Placemats and coasters (different textures, shapes, colours, sizes).

Zip lock bags and duct or painters' tape to secure to floors & tables.

Scarves and ties (real from op shops)

Containers with lids – some clear and some opaque.

Sturdy cardboard rolls – big and small!

Tin Cans – big and small but ensure nosharp edges on the rims.

Handbags with straps, purses with zips orclips.

7

3-5 YEARS

My Top 5…

Op Shop Oddities– They don’t need to have a definitive purpose – look for interesting textures, colours and possibilities for play!

Scarves, hats, shoes, bags, bangles, handbags–Keep them real and bring out only a few at a time!

Planter Pots – Use different sizes & shapes. They make great single sensory tubs, stepping stones and stacking tools.

Silver & ceramic Tea Sets – This age loves their dramatic play so why not give them real authentic materials to explore their emerging roles!

Wood Cookies– I put wooden stumps into this category too. So many ways to add to play spaces!

1.

2.

4.

3.

5.

Anything from the toddler/baby list!

Op shop curios & treasures to explore.

Clear plastic jars with lids.

Squeeze bottles from juice or tomato paste containers. Pop top bottles.

Wooden Reels/Cables (big and small.)

Pallets & Tyres for defining spaces and creating levels for invitations.

Sponges, scourers, dish mops & brushes.

Yoghurt squeezie lids & milk bottle lids.

Rulers, measuring tapes, notebooks.

MORE IDEAS…

w w w . t h e e m p o w e r e d e d u c a t o r o n l i n e . c o m

Magnets.

Bamboo offcuts & twigs.

Sheer curtains and other textured materials

Real dress ups from the op shop including shoes, hats, glasses, jewelry, clothes.

Cardboard boxes – different sizes

Washers, nuts, bolts, screwdrivers, hammers, plungers.

Flowers & greenery, driftwood, shells

Balls – ping pong, crochet, plastic, felt,pompoms!

10

6-12 YEARS

My Top 5 ….

Magnets & Tins – Easy to add different materials to this base each time – robots, sculptures, mini-me’s!

Vertical Construction Surfaces – for building with Lego, Stickle Bricks, Nature, Art & more.

Flowers, Greenery, Driftwood – Add to construction, dramatic play and craft activities.

Rubber Bands & Toothpicks – Fantastic tools to encourage STEM play with the addition of only a few different materials each time.

PVC Pipe, Tubing, Cardboard Rolls – Big and small, different textures, useful for indoors & outdoors!

1.

2.

4.

3.

5.

Anything from the other age groups (they will still play with them – just in different ways!

Magnets & tin cans different sizes.

Bamboo, wood cookies, branches.

Wool, twine, washi tape, threads.

Toothpicks, plasticine, blu-tack, straws.

Squeeze & spray bottles – different sizes.

Recycled items like DVD discs, electronic equipment for tinkering, op shop curios.

Coffee filters, teabags, eye makeupcotton wool discs, cotton buds/tips.

MORE IDEAS…

w w w . t h e e m p o w e r e d e d u c a t o r o n l i n e . c o m

Cardboard tubes, boxes, packaging materials, bubble wrap.

Authentic baking equipment, mason jars.

Sheer curtains and other textured materials for defining spaces. Trays.

Bike wheel frames & similar for weaving.

PVC Pipes and corrugated tubing for constructing with.

Real tools, nuts, bolts, rubber bands, sponges, golf tees, thumbtacks.

Flowers & greenery, driftwood, shells.

Corkboards and pot pads, plastic cups.

EXPLORER BASKETST h e m e I d e a s t o h e l p y o u c r e a t e D I Y d i s c o v e r y b a s k e t s

Webinar Handout 2.

14

Use these 5 examples to help you

put together some simple explorer

or discovery baskets to kickstart

your creativity and imagination and

simplify the process of introducing

your own resources for play and

learning! You will find lots of

additional ideas in this handout or

why not combine some of the

material suggestions to build your

own basket combination!

5 Explorer Baskets

15

Basket 1.

SHINY SURFACES

16

Basket 2.

SO SPONGY!

17

Basket 3.

RING A DING!

18

Basket 4.

POUR & SIEVE

19

Basket 5.

MAGNETS & TINS

Brilliant Balls – include ping pong, tennis, material, spongy, textured, wooden & different sizes.

So Spongy – Loofah’s, sea sponges, make up sponges, bath sponges, kitchen sponges.

High Teatime - Real tea sets from the op shops, flowers, vases, teapots, cups, saucers, milk jugs, napkins, spoons.

Spoons – wooden, silver, ladles, silver, silicon, big, small!

Knots & Tassels – New dog pull toys (with the chunky knotted ropes), curtain tassels, ribbon, fabric scraps tied into loose knots, think pieces of string.

MORE BASKETS..

w w w . t h e e m p o w e r e d e d u c a t o r o n l i n e . c o m

Wacky Water – Jugs, teapots, sieves, strainers, tea strainers, colanders, measuring cups, funnels, slotted spoons.

Ring a Ding – curtain rings, shower curtain rings, mason jar lid rings (insert removed), chunky bangles, bun doughnuts, scrunchies, wooden cedar circles, mug tree or jewelry stands, napkin/serviette rings.

Sensory Silicone – Muffin cups, utensils, cooking tins and trays, bento lunchbox inserts, bowls, gloves, balls, pompoms, dry pasta shells, small plastic shot glasses.

Wash Day – Fabric pieces, dolly clothes, nappies, blankets, scoops from washing powder boxes, wooden dolly pegs, plastic pegs, scrubbing brushes, bowls for water.

Little Engineer – Trampoline springs (with hooks on end to connect together), measuring tape, rulers, notebooks, blocks, egg cartons, small lino and tile samplers, Velcro dots,

Squares & Circles – coasters, placemats, lids, boxes, material – anything interesting in a circle or square shape!

Lovely Leaves – Collect leaves of different sizes, colours and textures, add magnifying glasses, glass jars, felt to lay leaves on, sketchpad and crayons for rubbings.

Roller Fun – Make a collection of rolling pins, paint roller brushes, hair rollers, balls, tins …anything you have that rolls!

MORE BASKETS..

w w w . t h e e m p o w e r e d e d u c a t o r o n l i n e . c o m

Transient Tray – Squares and circles cut from felt (black makes a nice canvas) glass gems, bamboo pieces, pebbles, lids, small figurines, wool strings, necklaces, old picture frames….what masterpieces will evolve?

Post It – Spice jars (that have holes in the lid inserts), colanders, cutlery holders (metal with holes), steamer pots. Add pipe cleaners, straws, thin craft sticks and whatever you have on hand for posting.

Hammer It – Wooden or metal meat tenderizer hammers, golf tees, thumbtacks, cork pieces, balsa wood, vinyl offcuts, material scraps, tape, blutack or plasticine, lids, ribbon.

Truck Treasures – Tipper trucks with trays, small buckets with handles, seedling trays with handles, colourfulpebbles and glass gems, tongs, spades, cups. Sprinkle gems in the outdoor areas and encourage children to fill their trucks, buckets and trays with treasures!

I Can Do It – Real clothing with zips, press studs, fasteners, Velcro, handbags and purses, wallets, doll clothes, socks, bibs –anything that little fingers can practice opening & closing!

Frame It – Interesting old picture frames (glass & backing removed) Add to the shelves or on the floor & see what they do!

MORE BASKETS..

w w w . t h e e m p o w e r e d e d u c a t o r o n l i n e . c o m

Spin It – Things you need to turn and spin to work. Sifters, old style eggbeaters, salad spinners. Small pebbles, dirt, sand, water for filling and experimenting with.

Baby Love – Small tissue and shoeboxes, different soft materials, hairbrushes, beanbags (for pillows), real baby bottles and feeding items, bibs, small board books, baby dolls, scarves.

Open & Shut – Glass or plastic jars with lids, small boxes with lids, little boxes that jewelry and watches come in, used make up jars and bottles (cleaned well), chocolate boxes (you eat the chocolates first! )

Twist & Rotate – Nuts, bolts, wrenches, screws, screwdrivers, soft wood offcuts.

Cost – There is no need for a big budget when compiling your baskets – start with what you already have around the house and add over time!

Not a Handy Person! – Don’t let it stop you if you don’t know one end of the frill to another – do what you can, start with small projects and assembling collections rather than starting from scratch.

Store It – When using explorer baskets you need to consider how you will store the materials in your collection and how to make it easy to mix and match to create brand new baskets with what you already have. So why not store similar items in a large tub or basket with a lid then simply add elements to your chosen theme baskets each week as needed.

TIPS!

w w w . t h e e m p o w e r e d e d u c a t o r o n l i n e . c o m

Trial & Error – Some things will work, and some will not but give it at least 3 days whenever you introduce a new basket or item to your shelves. Observe the playand reflect on what you might change.

Not Creative – You don’t need to have a fantastic imagination or be a creative, artsy person to create your own resources and invitations. All of theseideas for baskets are very simple andchildren will lead the play themselves!

Upskill – If you want to work up to making some intentional resources in addition to the simple baskets ask friends or family for some tool tips or watch a few you tube tutorials then just give it a try - hammers, drills, screwdrivers…leave the chainsaw to the experts please ;)