Cosy Direct Blog

There is an ever-increasing worry around plastics; in our oceans, polluting our environment, animal habitats and taking 100s of years to decompose. Single-use plastics need to be eradicated for good and children can get behind this movement for change by becoming a plastic free school. Small changes can make a big difference! The education secretary has called for schools to...

Enjoying an interest in minibeasts and learning through play, whether in a setting or at home, is a great way to embrace hands-on, practical learning in a playful way. What’s great is that to hunt for minibeasts, we need to be outside so not only are we enjoying this focus but getting fresh air at the same time. This means...

Constructing a den can be a magical learning experience as well as being a lot of fun.  It's one of those activities where the process is just as much fun as the end product!  Our role as educators is to facilitate the play by providing suitable resources and spaces for den building.  Children also need responsive, tuned in adults to...

In these COVID times, the power of outdoor play is becoming even more widely recognised.  Settings are spending more and more time outdoors, with some becoming fully outdoors based.  Not only does being outdoors reduce the risk of COVID transmitting, but it’s also an empowering space to play in it’s own right.  However, outdoor play is not merely a matter...

The humble cardboard box is actually a powerful tool for play and learning.  By saving them from the recycling, we are not only repurposing but facilitating a magical opportunity to enhance children’s play.  A box is far from being ‘just a cardboard box’! (Photo credit above to @teameyfs) By offering children the opportunity to play and explore with boxes, we...

This little wicker mirror circle has been very popular recently. It is small, and yet so versatile. How would you use one? It is not only a perfect natural mirror for role play, displaying natural treasures and viewing expressions but also a great reflective small world area. Have a go at collecting natural materials and creating patterns to create a...

The wicker tray is a beautiful, natural alternative to the standard plastic tray. Create an inspirational invitation to play with this natural wicker tray. Perfect for heuristic play resources, loose parts and wooden toys, it is easy for little ones to access. It works well on our wooden stand and equally as well on the floor. Hayley from @littlewiseowlschildminding loves...

The mini deep tuff spot tray was designed because you told us that you wanted a smaller, deeper tray. This tray fits through doors easily so can be moved indoors and outdoors without much trouble. It is also deeper to hold more water or sand. The circular tray is ideal for all the usual tray play from messy tray play...

Is play time limited? The COVID-19 pandemic and the implications for children’s learning, play and wellbeing has led us to think about childhood and whether play is time limited. At what age do children stop playing? Or do we always play? Perhaps because we understand the benefits of play, we do all we can to facilitate it at home, in settings...

Creating a loose parts play library can be simple and fun with a few hints and tips. Loose parts for play are materials that can be moved, carried, combined, redesigned, lined up, constructed and deconstructed in multiple ways. They are materials with no specific direction. Big or small, natural or man made. The recognition of the power loose parts hold in...