If you were to pause for a moment and really look around the environment you’re in, what object would you pick out as fascinating for a baby’s senses? Perhaps the smooth curve of a wooden spoon, the cool texture of a metal whisk, or the crinkle of brown paper. These are not “toys,” but they are full of sensory potential – and they lie at the heart of what we call heuristic play.
What Is Heuristic Play?
Heuristic play is the self-directed, purposeful exploration of everyday objects. The word ‘heuristic’ comes from the Greek Eurisko, meaning “I discover.” It’s a form of scientific inquiry that begins in the earliest months of life, long before a child can speak. Think of Archimedes’ legendary bath moment (getting into the deep bath, he observed how that bath overflowed!), when he discovered the principle of displacement and shouted “Eureka!” – that’s the spirit behind heuristic play: I’ve found something out for myself.
For babies, heuristic play involves feeling, mouthing, banging, shaking, rolling, and transferring objects to learn what they are, how they behave, and what they can do with them. It’s not just fun, it is the way in which young children learn.
Why Heuristic Play Matters
Heuristic play is “food for the brain.” It offers:
- Mental stimulation and satisfaction: Babies are driven by curiosity. Heuristic play satisfies this drive through hands-on learning.
- Multi-sensory exploration: Babies use both mouth and hands to investigate the world. Limiting them to plastic toys restricts their sensory diet.
- Choice and autonomy: This is baby-led play, empowering children to follow their fascinations.
- Calm concentration: When supported well, heuristic play can create deep, sustained engagement.
- Conceptual learning: As babies explore, they assimilate and accommodate new knowledge—what Piaget would describe as the essence of learning.
Unlike educational toys that often have a “right” and “wrong” way to use them (like shape sorters), heuristic play offers freedom without failure. The goal isn’t to do something “correctly,” but to discover possibilities.
5–10 Months: What is this object like?
At this stage, babies are learning about objects by handling and mouthing them. Mouthing, far from being a nuisance, is a fundamental learning tool. It makes perfect sense: the only coordinated experience a baby has early on is feeding—so using the mouth to explore is familiar and rewarding.
Babies begin grasping before they can release objects with control. By around six months, they can start to pick things up and examine them more purposefully. What can we do to support their heuristic play at this stage?
- Provide a wide variety of objects with different textures and materials—not just plastic.
- Create a safe, calm, and predictable environment where the baby feels secure enough to explore.
- Recognise that both the mouth and hands are vital tools for learning.
The Treasure Basket
A foundational heuristic play resource for babies is the treasure basket, first developed by Elinor Goldschmied. It’s a low-sided wicker basket (about 12cm high, 30cm across) filled with 80–100 safe, everyday items from the home and natural world.
The treasure basket is offered to a seated baby, ideally during a calm part of the day. An attentive adult sits nearby—not to direct or entertain, but to hold the space with quiet presence and responsiveness. These sessions can last 30–60 minutes and may involve 1–3 babies, but the primary relationship is between the baby and the objects.
Creating Your Treasure Basket
To build your own basket:
- Feel the objects yourself. Explore your own sensory and emotional responses.
- Include natural items: a sponge, pine cone, pebble, lemon.
- Add household items: a leather purse, unused shaving brush, small metal tin, toothbrush.
- Use your judgement for safety. If an item causes you anxiety, don’t include it, since babies pick up on your discomfort.
- Avoid pre-made treasure baskets. They often include unsuitable items and lack the personal, considered curation that makes the experience meaningful.
- Ask families to contribute items. They’ll love being involved and it builds a stronger home-nursery connection.
Your Role as the Adult
You are not there to “teach” but to hold space—to slow down, sit still, and create an atmosphere of trust.
- Avoid praise. It can distract from intrinsic motivation and shift focus to adult approval.
- Model alert stillness. Babies need your calm presence to feel secure.
- Be comfortable. Sit with back support, on a beanbag or low chair—discomfort will distract you from tuning in.
10–20 Months: What can I do with this object?
As babies become mobile, their play changes. They begin to interact with objects in more complex ways:
- Putting items into containers, boxes, tubes
- Stacking and knocking down
- Pouring, sliding, and rolling
- Lining up, sorting, and collecting
They are discovering concepts like cause and effect, volume, weight, shape, and sound. And they’re often working through schemas—deep, internal patterns of thought:
- Transporting: carrying objects from place to place
- Enveloping: wrapping or covering
- Connecting: joining things together
- Containing: filling and emptying
- Rotating: fascination with circular movement
The Adult’s Role Evolves
You’re still seated nearby, but now you might also:
- Offer alternative items during disputes (without “solving” every problem)
- Acknowledge frustration and offer support in subtle ways
- Respond calmly if someone takes a tumble, offering reassurance and comfort as needed by that particular baby
- Keep the environment calm and engaging: play should still be unhurried and child-led
Supporting Heuristic Play at Home
Heuristic play would ideally extend beyond the nursery. Here’s how you can help families get involved:
- Offer a handout on creating a treasure basket at home
- Share ideas for heuristic materials that can be found at home
- Share observations as part of pick-up conversations: “X was doing Y today, which shows they are learning about… At home, you could support this by…”
- Explain the value of undistracted attention—just being present with their child
Reflecting on Heuristic Play in your Baby Room
Here’s a checklist you can use to reflect together as a team on heuristic play that is happening in your baby room and how you can support it further.
Environment & Resources
Do you have at least one well-stocked treasure basket?
80–100 objects
Safe, natural, household materials
No sharp edges or choking hazards
Wicker basket with low sides (approx. 12cm high, 30cm diameter)
Do you regularly refresh, clean, and audit your treasure basket items?
Do you have a collection of natural, household, and recycled objects suitable for mobile heuristic play among the older babies?
Do you provide an abundance of containers (e.g. tins, cardboard tubes, boxes) for toddlers to fill, empty, and transport?
Do you offer at least 3 tins and 3 tubes per child during heuristic sessions to reduce conflict and promote choice?
Is there a clearly defined space (e.g. carpeted area) for heuristic play that feels contained and manageable?
🧑🍼 Babies: Treasure Basket Practice (5–10 months)
Do you schedule dedicated treasure basket time each day (30–60 mins)?
Are babies seated and calmly supported by an attentive adult nearby?
Is treasure basket time free from interruptions and distractions?
Are you offering a variety of textures and materials (with limited plastic)?
Do adults avoid offering praise and instead focus on quiet, calm presence?
Are adults physically comfortable (e.g. seated with back support) as they offer their presence and engagement to treasure basket play?
Do adults model alert stillness and emotional containment?
🚶♀️ Mobile Babies: Heuristic Play (10–20 months+)
Do you schedule daily heuristic play sessions (at least 45 mins)?
Are toddlers free to choose, transport, combine, and manipulate objects?
Are objects provided that support exploration of different schemas (e.g. transporting, containing, rotating, enveloping)?
Do adults observe and reflect on the learning happening through play?
Are children supported when frustration arises, without adults “solving” everything for them?
Are adults nearby, calm, and emotionally available to support and share in the joy of discovery?
👩🏫 Role of the Adult
Are adults trained in how to support heuristic play (including understanding schemas and learning through exploration)?
Do adults know how to sit in quiet, alert stillness without interrupting or directing?
Do adults reflect regularly on their own comfort and presence in the room?
Do staff use coaching or peer support to grow confidence in this practice?
🏠 Home Partnership
Do you share handouts or guidance on treasure baskets with families?
Do you involve families in collecting household or natural objects for heuristic play?
Do you share observations with families that explain the learning behind heuristic play (e.g. “X was transporting today, which helps develop…”)?
Do you encourage undistracted attention and simple, low-cost play at home?
📆 Planning & Embedding the Practice
Is there dedicated time in your daily routine for treasure basket and mobile heuristic play sessions?
Have you involved the whole team in creating and maintaining heuristic play resources?
Are heuristic play materials stored accessibly and reviewed regularly?
Do you reflect on and adapt your approach based on observations and children’s interests?
⭐ Final Reflection
Do children in your nursery have daily opportunities to discover, explore, and learn without pressure or direction?
Do you feel confident that your environment supports curiosity, calm concentration, and rich sensory exploration?