How To Encourage Independent Play
Watching your little one start to do things on their own can be scary at first, but it's so rewarding! Learning how to encourage independent play helps your child develop confidence, creativity, and essential problem-solving skills that will support them for life. Let’s explore what independent play is, how to nurture it, and the best toys to help your child thrive.
What Is Independent Play?
Independent play (also known as solitary play) is when babies or children play by themselves, exploring toys and activities without direct adult involvement. It’s a vital stage of child development that fosters imagination, focus, and self-confidence.
At what age should I encourage independent play?
Solitary play starts naturally during infancy. Little ones as young as 6 months can begin to engage in short bursts of solo play, exploring textures and sounds through sensory activities for babies. As children grow, their ability to play independently extends, from a few minutes for toddlers to 30 minutes or more for preschoolers.
How To Encourage Independent Play
Wondering how to encourage independent play at home? Try these simple strategies to help your child feel confident exploring on their own:
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Start small: Set aside short play sessions and gradually increase the time.
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Create a safe, engaging space: Fill it with open-ended play toys that let kids decide how to play, like wooden building blocks or a busy board.
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Stay close, but don’t take over: Let your child know you’re nearby if they need reassurance.
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Model play: Spend a few minutes joining in, then quietly step back.
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Praise effort, not results: Encourage curiosity and exploration rather than perfection.
How do you promote independent learning through play?
Independent learning happens naturally when children have opportunities to explore, make mistakes, and solve problems in their own way. Toys that encourage creative thinking, like Montessori toys or role play sets, help kids learn without even realising it!
Why Won’t My Child Play Independently?
It’s completely normal if your little one prefers playing with you. Some children need more reassurance, especially during big changes or developmental leaps. Building independent play skills takes time. Start with gentle transitions, like sitting nearby while they play, and celebrate small wins.
If your child resists, focus on connection first. A few minutes of one-on-one play can fill their emotional cup and make solo play easier later.
Toys To Encourage Independent Play
Wooden Toys for Open-Ended Play
Wooden Brick Drum
Explore shapes and build your own towers with our FSC-certified Brick Drum. With 50 pieces, these building blocks for kids are fantastic for encouraging independent play as little ones can stack the bricks anyway they wish! Baby development toys, such as our FSC bricks, are great for boosting hand-eye coordination and helping kids learn how to problem solve. Children can build up the blocks and figure out how to balance them on top of each other for the ultimate independent play.
Activity Pull Along Train
Next stop, independent play! Take a journey of discovery with the FSC Activity Train. This pull along toy features a train engine, two carriages and three animal passengers for hours of fun and learning. Whilst the animal figures give kids the freedom to explore their imaginations, the stackable bricks help them develop motor skills and dexterity, and they create different variations on their own. This is a fantastic open-ended toy that allows children to get creative independently or with the help of an adult to begin with.
Jungle Busy Board
Your cheeky monkeys will love exploring with the Jungle Busy Board. Designed with adorable animals, this busy board for toddlers is packed with jungle-themed activities. Kids can discover different senses, independently learning about different concepts like cause and effect while they twist cogs, spin wheels, and push buttons. A perfect wooden gift for developing tots.
Creative Activities
Neon Gel Crayons
Brighten up your child's day with Neon Gel Crayons from Tiger Tribe. Creative activities for kids like drawing, crafting and painting are great for encouraging independent play, as children can express their feelings and show off their imaginations by creating. These unique crayons come in a rainbow pack of 5 neon colours and can be used to make rock art and glass paintings as well as drawings. Tiger Tribe's crayons for kids are great for promoting creative skills and maintaining motor functions. A fantastic option for a rainy day or half-term activity!
Role Play Sets
Shopping Trip Set
Pop to the store with the Shopping Trip Set! Mimicking real-life scenarios like going to the shops is great for encouraging independent play as kids learn about adult life and how to work out things on their own (i.e. the price of milk). The shopping set features wooden food toys like lemons and sweets along with essentials like soap, spaghetti, tins and more. These role play toys are perfect for inspiring open-ended, real-world play and can boost your little one's confidence as they buy and sell their little shop items. Explore more of our pretend play range here!
More Parenting Tips & Toys
Independent play isn’t just about keeping your little one entertained; it’s a crucial step in helping them grow into curious, confident learners. With a little patience and the right open-ended play toys, your child will soon be happily exploring, creating, and imagining all by themselves. For more parenting and playtime inspiration, visit our Bigjigs Toys Blog.