Wood Reuse Loose Parts are used all around the classroom. From using big old chair legs as ramps to balancing corks on a tower to using wood frames as a backdrop for designing art, Wood Reuse Parts are multidimensional!
Looking for fresh ideas? Let’s take a closer look at some unique Wood Reuse Loose Parts examples.
Wood Reuse Loose Parts
Reused golf tees donated from local driving range.
Wine corks saved and washed from local restaurants.
Old wood frames found at Thrift Store.
Wood floor samples donated from flooring store.
Popsicle sticks of different sizes found at the Dollar Store.
Old chair legs from thrift store finds.
List of Wood Reuse Loose Parts
- Corks
- Clothespins
- Pegs
- Wooden Beads
- Golf Tees
- Chair Legs
- Dowels
- Wooden Blocks
- Hardwood Floor Scraps
- Candlesticks
- Napkin Rings
- Wood Scraps
- Wood Pegs
- Scrabble Pieces
- Spools
- Wood Frames
- Rings
- Puzzle Pieces
- Wood People
- Thread Spools
Where to Find These?
I always start looking around my own home and outside in nature. Then I turn to the people around me and my families in my classroom for reused or recycled items. Finally, I treasure hunt at garage sales, thrift stores, and businesses for good deals and donations!
It’s important to note that loose parts are supposed to be things you don’t spend a lot if any money on. Reusing the beauty around us and making someone’s trash our treasure is important. It’s not just about ‘pretty’ things but what you can do with open-ended materials.
Having the wonder-filled imagination as a child opens so many doors to the possibilities of using spools or corks or blocks to explore and create and learn as the child should!
3 Examples of Wood Reuse in the Classroom
Spools! My favorite! A big one for use as a table or little ones for building in construction!
You can even make chairs out of spools!
Putting magnets on the back of corks or Scrabble pieces is a great idea!
There are endless possibilities for using these materials in your classroom!
For more information on this topic, don’t miss our in-depth guide How to Get Started with Loose Parts.
BONUS! Download our Loose Parts Wish List and start collecting! ↓
In case you missed the other 6 Types of Loose Parts blog posts, no worries. I included that all right here for you!
- Nature-Based Loose Parts
- Metal Loose Parts
- Plastic Loose Parts
- Glass & Ceramic Loose Parts
- Fabric, Fiber & Paper Loose Parts
- Packaging Loose Parts
What Loose Parts are YOU playing with?
How will YOU use wood reuse loose parts in your room?
References
Daly, Lisa; Beloglovsky, Miriam (2014). Loose Parts: Inspiring Play in Young Children. Redleaf Press.
Daly, Lisa; Beloglovsky, Miriam (2016). Loose Parts 2: Inspiring Play with Infants and Toddlers. Redleaf Press.
Sheridan, Mary; Howard, Justine; Alderson, Dawn (2011). Play in Early Childhood: From Birth to Six Years. Routledge.
