Holiday Suitcase: Invitation to Play
Holiday Suitcase: Invitation to Play (Digital Download)
Every suitcase tells a story.
Whether children are packing for an imaginary seaside holiday, preparing for a family adventure or filling a suitcase with treasures they've discovered along the way, this invitation celebrates imagination, belonging and the excitement of new experiences.
Holiday Suitcase is a thoughtfully designed invitation to play that encourages children to explore journeys, memories and the world around them through open ended role play. As children pack, unpack, organise and imagine where they might travel, they naturally develop communication, problem solving, early mathematics and a deeper understanding of their own experiences.
Created for babies, toddlers and preschool children, this resource supports practitioners in creating meaningful opportunities for storytelling, conversation and child led exploration.
Inside this digital download you will find:
• A detailed overview explaining the purpose and learning behind the invitation• Learning opportunities linked to communication and language, personal, social and emotional development, mathematics and understanding the world• Resource suggestions using real objects, loose parts and open ended materials• Differentiation guidance from approximately 9 months to 5 years, with adult role prompts for every developmental stage• Inclusion and accessibility adaptations to ensure every child can participate confidently• Observation prompts, possible next steps and reflective questions to support assessment in the moment• Rich vocabulary linked to travel, holidays, journeys, belongings and adventure, alongside natural adult language prompts• Eight beautifully designed, large format vocabulary flashcards, perfect for role play areas, tuff trays and continuous provision• A realistic example observation to support professional reflection and future planning
Rather than focusing on where children travel, Holiday Suitcase celebrates the stories they bring with them. Some children may recreate familiar family holidays, while others invent exciting adventures to places they've never been. Some may carefully fold clothes, organise treasures or pack favourite comfort items. Every approach is valuable because it reflects children's own experiences, interests and imaginations.
Like every resource from The Early Years Edit, this is not a themed activity pack or a list of tasks to complete. It is a thoughtfully created, pedagogy led resource that helps practitioners recognise the learning beneath children's play while encouraging meaningful conversations, creativity and a sense of belonging.
Digital download only. No physical product will be sent.