MY MINI SET
Perfect take-on-the-go set
New to heuristic play? Start here.
My Mini Set is the perfect first step for families who want to support their baby’s development through simple, natural, open-ended play.
Thoughtfully curated by a fully registered early childhood educator, this six-piece set invites your little one to explore texture, sound, reflection, and movement—all while laying the foundation for brain development, fine motor skills, and creative confidence.
Perfect for babies, young toddlers, or anyone looking for a gentle, minimalist play experience rooted in real learning.
🧠 Why Parents Love It:
✅ Ideal first set for babies aged 6+ months
✅ Grows with your child into toddlerhood and beyond
✅ Stimulates sensory development and curiosity
✅ Encourages independent exploration and focus
✅ Made with natural, eco-conscious materials
✅ Includes FREE educator-written Play Guide (valued at $19!)
✅ Packaged in a reusable cotton or organza drawstring bag
🎁 What’s Included in the 6-Piece Starter Set:
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Wooden Ring – For grasping & rolling
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Pom-Pom – Soft and sensory-rich for little fingers
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Mini Tin – Encourages sound discovery and fine motor exploration
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Wooden Peg – A simple shape for developing hand control
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Doilie – Unique texture and light sensory layering
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Stainless Steel Pebble – Reflective, smooth, and captivating
(Occasionally, similar size/shape/value items may be substituted based on stock availability.)
📚 FREE Bonus: Digital Play Guide (Valued at $19)
Every Heuristic Play Starter Set comes with our exclusive 11-page digital guide:
Heuristic Play Made Easy: Play More, Stress Less
Written by a qualified early childhood teacher, this guide helps you feel confident and calm while supporting your child’s growth through play. It includes:
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50 play ideas for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers
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Conversation starters to encourage language and curiosity
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Praise phrases to build your child’s confidence
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Real-life setup tips to keep play simple and joyful
💬 What Parents Are Saying:
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"I wasn’t sure where to begin with heuristic play, but this little starter set was the perfect place to begin. My baby LOVES the pom-pom and tin — and I actually understand what to do thanks to the guide!"
🌿 Designed for Real Life:
✔️ Eco-conscious, baby-safe materials
✔️ No batteries, no noise — just meaningful play
✔️ Great for play at home or on the go
✔️ Aligned with New Zealand’s Early Childhood Curriculum
✔️ A thoughtful baby shower gift or “just because” moment for curious little minds
Please take the time to read our Terms and Conditions around safe play
ABOUT HEURISTIC PLAY
What is heuristic play?
Heuristic play is an established early childhood approach that gives babies and young children safe, interesting objects to explore freely and in their own way.
Think bowls, rings, fabric, tins and wooden objects — things with different shapes, textures, weights and sounds to grasp, shake, roll, bang, fill, empty and discover.
There are no instructions and no one “right” way to play. The little person leads the way.
What are the benefits of heuristic play?
Heuristic play gives little people the freedom to explore, experiment and figure things out for themselves.
As they handle different objects, children can investigate texture, weight, sound, movement, shape, cause and effect, and how things fit together — while making their own choices about what to explore and how.
Most importantly, there’s no end result they’re trying to achieve. The exploring is the learning.
What age is heuristic play for?
Heuristic play can begin in babyhood and change as your child grows.
A baby might grasp, mouth, shake and drop an object. Later, they may start filling and emptying, stacking, carrying, combining objects and experimenting with what fits where.
Always follow the age and safety information provided with your ProjectPlay collection and supervise play.
Do I need to show my child how to play?
No — and that’s part of the beauty of heuristic play.
Offer a few interesting objects, stay nearby and see what catches their attention. You don’t need to demonstrate what everything is “for” or continually come up with ways to entertain them.
Give them time to explore and let little people lead the way.
PROJECTPLAY PRODUCTS
What’s the difference between The Treasure Tray and The Treasure Bag?
The Treasure Tray is our fuller heuristic play collection, with a wider variety of objects, materials, textures and ways to explore.
The Treasure Bag is a smaller collection — ideal for gifting, taking with you or simply starting small.
Both are thoughtfully created around the same idea: interesting objects, open-ended exploration and plenty of room for curiosity.
Which one should I choose?
Choose The Treasure Tray if you’re looking for the full ProjectPlay heuristic play experience and a larger variety of objects to explore.
Choose The Treasure Bag if you’d like a smaller collection, an easy introduction to heuristic play or a beautiful gift.
There’s no “better” option — just two different ways to bring heuristic play home.
Are ProjectPlay products safe for babies and toddlers?
Safety is considered throughout the selection and development of every ProjectPlay collection, including the materials, construction, size and intended age of individual pieces.
How do I clean them?
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Wood & metal: Wipe with a 1:10 vinegar:water mix, rinse, and air-dry in sunlight. .
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Fabric pieces: Hand-wash in mild, unscented detergent, rinse thoroughly, and line dry in the sun.
ABOUT PROJECTPLAY
Who is behind ProjectPlay?
ProjectPlay was created by Angela, a qualified and fully registered Early Childhood Teacher with more than 15 years’ experience working with babies, young children and their families.
It brings together years of early childhood experience, thoughtfully chosen play products and one pretty simple belief: little people are incredibly capable when we give them the time, space and opportunity to explore.
What is the ProjectPlay Little Library?
The ProjectPlay Little Library is a growing collection of bite-sized, teacher-created guides about play, child development and everyday life with little people.
Drawing on 15+ years of teaching experience and current research, they make big early childhood ideas easier to understand and useful in everyday life.
Do you supply early childhood centres or offer wholesale?
Yes. ProjectPlay works with parents, early childhood services, home-based educators and retailers throughout New Zealand.
For ECE, bulk or wholesale enquiries, get in touch at projectplaynz@gmail.com and tell us a little about what you’re looking for.
Where do you ship?
ProjectPlay is based in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, and ships throughout NZ and Australia.
Current shipping options and costs are shown at checkout.
Anything we haven't answered? Please head to our 'Contact Us' page and send us a message.
