As the colder months approach, indoor play spaces naturally take on a greater role in daily provision. Thoughtfully planned environments can support movement, creativity, exploration and calm - helping children stay engaged and curious throughout the day.
We’re excited to share a selection of new resources for 2026, designed to enrich indoor learning across early years and education settings.
Supporting indoor play during colder months
Indoor environments play a vital role in maintaining rhythm and structure during the winter period. From open-ended play that encourages imagination to sensory resources that support focus and regulation, the right mix of materials can help settings respond to children’s changing needs throughout the day.
When reviewing indoor provision, it’s helpful to consider:
- How spaces support both active and calm play
- Opportunities for child-led exploration
- Flexibility for different group sizes and ages
- Resources that can be revisited and reimagined over time
The new 2026 collection brings together resources that work across these areas, offering longevity beyond a single season.
Light, colour and visual exploration
Light and colour play offers vibrant, sensory-rich experiences - perfect for smaller indoor spaces or quiet discovery areas.
Here are some of the most engaging 2026 additions:
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Translucent colour galaxy – Bright, colourful shapes for creative exploration on light tables or near windows.
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Translucent colour leaves and seeds – Nature-inspired pieces that invite sorting, layering and pattern play.
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Translucent colour dinosaurs – Colourful loose parts with a playful twist.
These resources are especially effective when used with light tables, mirrors or reflective surfaces.
Loose parts and open-ended play
Open-ended play materials support imagination, collaboration and problem-solving - key ingredients in indoor learning environments.
Check out these new open-ended favourites:
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Gem cubes – Multi-purpose tactile cubes for building, sorting and exploring.
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Gem circle mirror tray and gem cube mirror tray – Mirrored trays that double play value and invite reflection.
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Farm discovery dividers – Ideal for small world and story-based play.
Loose parts are fantastic for group zones, small-world areas or collaborative tables where children return again and again.
Fine motor and manipulative activities
Supporting fine motor development is especially helpful during colder months when larger indoor movement might be limited.
Explore new manipulatives for focused play:
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Butterfly lacing jewels – Threading jewels to boost hand–eye coordination.
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Wooden jewel dominoes – A playful twist on a classic domino set.
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Safari animal layer puzzle – Combines creative play with spatial reasoning.
These items work well in calm corners, small group tables or as part of focused skill-building sessions.
Imaginative and role play resources
Role play encourages language development, social interaction and empathy. These new additions help enrich play areas with engaging, narrative-rich resources:
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Kitchen accessories bundle – A versatile role play set for group or imaginative play.
Pair this bundle with existing furniture or soft-play areas to create inviting play zones for storytelling and collaboration.
Sensory materials and calming corners
Creating sensory-rich, calm spaces supports focus, regulation and well-being - all essential during indoor months.
Check out these new sensory materials:
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Ombre habutae fabric – Soft textiles that enhance cosy corners, dens or sensory areas.
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Seasonal gem trees – Colourful pieces that can support seasonal themes and imaginative play.
- Sensory Dual Rainbow Cascade – A visually and tactilely engaging cascade resource that invites exploration, sequencing and sensory interaction - perfect for calm play areas or quiet zones.
These materials help create inviting spaces that children want to return to.
Planning your indoor environment for 2026
Effective indoor provision combines movement, creativity, sensory engagement and calm - and the new 2026 resources from Chequered Fox have been selected to help settings do just that.
Whether you’re refreshing existing areas or introducing new indoor zones, mix and match resources to support a range of learning experiences, including:
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Discovery and sensory exploration
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Fine motor and tabletop play
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Imaginative and role play
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Collaborative, small-world and loose parts play
Explore the full collection here:
https://www.chequeredfox.co.uk/collections/new-resources-2026
Want help planning your indoor spaces?
Creating balanced, inviting indoor environments is about more than resources - it’s about how they work together. If you’d like support choosing the right mix or thinking through layout and flow, our Chequered Fox team is here to help from concept through to delivery.