26 Ways to Play with Small World Figures

Small world figures are a great way to engage kids in creative, imaginative play. However, there are many different ways to use these toys that aren’t solely focused on pretend play. 

Discover some fun and exciting ideas for playing with small world toys that will keep your kids entertained for hours. From using them to make art, to conducting science experiments, there are limitless possibilities when it comes to playing with these classic figurines.

Disclosure: Adult supervision is required for all activities at all times.

Small World Figures Play Ideas

1. Ocean Small World and Sensory Bin

Ocean small world and sensory bin for kids. This is a fun summer themed activity or toddlers and preschoolers.

This Ocean themed sensory bin is a combination of small figures and natural materials. Use them for sensory play, to learn a bit of science and a whole lot more.

2. African Sunset Shadow Tracing Art

Use your mini world figures to create this beautiful African sunset shadow tracing art. Your kids will love learning about shadows, angles and distortion in this fun art activity for kids.

Explore the creative challenge of African sunset shadow tracing art. Use small world giraffes to create the shadows in this picture, and explore some physics at the same time. Older children will have a great time using their problem solving skills to make sure the shadows don’t look distorted.

3. Tropical Island Small World

Bring the beach to your own backyard with this tropical small world. This pretend play activity is perfect for young children who love imaginative play and exploring new worlds.

4. Salt Dough Dinosaur Fossils

learn how to make DIY salt dough dinosaur fossils. They are a fun and easy STEM activity for kids who love to learn through play.

Create your own amazing dinosaur fossils with this easy salt dough recipe and some animal figures. Perfect for kids who love dinosaurs, these fossils are sure to be a big hit.

5. Farm Sensory Bin

Toy farm animals in a corn based sensory tub.

Explore the wonders of the farm with a sensory bin. This fun and educational activity provides kids with an exciting way to learn about different farm animals and create their own unique farm scene.

6. Put a Sticker on the Body Part

Put a sticker on the body part. A fun STEM and fine motor activity for kids. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers doing an All About Me theme

Using stickers to put on the body can be a great way to teach children about anatomy, practice language skills, and have fun.

7. Australia Sensory Bin

This Australia sensory bin is perfect for NAIDOC week or Australia day. It's a fun and easy sensory activity for toddlers and preschoolers.

Encourage curious minds to explore the wonders of Australia with a sensory bin. Perfect for younger children, these little worlds are filled with new materials to explore.

8. Animal Sorting Activity

Animal sorting activity for kids. Sort and classify the animals, this is a great STEM activity for toddlers and preschoolers who love to learn.

This fun animal sorting activity is an educational way to help children develop their math skills. Sort and classify animals by size, color and shape in a creative and engaging way. Not only will this help develop their understanding of the world, but it will also help with language development, fine motor skills and more.

9. Dinosaur Sensory Bin

Green tub filled with pumpkin seeds and toy dinosaurs.

Explore a prehistoric world with this dinosaur sensory bin. Create a miniature play scene and use your imagination to discover the fascinating creatures of the dinosaur world.

10. Frog Pond Playdough

Frog Pond Playdough is a fun Spring themed invitation to play for kids. It also helps develop fine motor skills in toddlers and preschoolers.

Make the toy frogs their own home by building a frog pond out of playdough. This type of play is so much fun for toddlers and preschoolers who love hands-on activities.

11. Construction Sensory Bin

Children playing with a tub filled with brown moon sand and toy construction vehicles.

A fun and creative way to engage your child in learning: Construction Sensory Bins. Get inspired with small world play ideas that are tailored to your child’s interests.

12. Building Animal Towers

Building animal towers is a fun STEM challenge for kids. This zoo themed engineering activity is perfect for young children who love to play.

This is an excellent opportunity to use small world figures for a fun STEM challenge. Learn how to build animal towers and engage in the engineering process.

13. Frog Pond Sensory Bin

Frog pond sensory bin for kids. A fun and easy spring themed sensory activity for toddlers and preschoolers.

This frog pond sensory bin is perfect for helping little ones learn to count. Filled with various sensory elements, it’s a fun way to encourage learning.

14. Ocean Playdough Invitation to Play

Learn how to make ocean playdough for kids. This taste-safe recipe is perfect for babies, toddlers and preschoolers to try this summer.

Make a small scale ocean with this ocean playdough set. This is a fun way to learn about the different sea animals while letting your children’s imagination run wild.

15. Butterfly Sensory Bin

Looking for spring sensory activities for kids? This butterfly sensory bin will be a hit with your toddlers and preschoolers.

Discover the science behind butterflies with this Butterfly Sensory Bin. Or maybe add in a few toy fairies and flowers to make a magical fairy garden. Toddlers and preschoolers will love expanding on this simple sensory bin to make their own imaginary world.

16. Car Painting

Car painting is a fun process art activity for kids. Toddlers and preschoolers will love painting with cars.

Use toy cars with different patterned tyres to make a car painting. This is a fun way for little people to paint with different items.

17. Sea Foam Sensory Bin

Soapy sea foam sensory bin for kids. A fun and easy sensory activity for toddlers and preschoolers to try this summer.

This sea foam sensory bin is a great addition to any toddler or preschool classroom. It encourages kids to explore their environment through sensory exploration. Come explore the different sea animals hiding underneath the soapy foam.

18. Spider Web Fine Motor Activity

Learn how to develop fine motor, and problem-solving skills with this spiderweb activity. A fun and easy Halloween activity for Babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

This creative spiderweb fine motor activity is a fun way to practice hand-eye coordination. All you need is a shoe box and some string. How easy is that?

19. Frozen Sand Sensory Bin

2 children playing with a frozen sand sensory bin.

A frozen sand sensory bin is a great way to provide your kids with a unique and engaging experience. Hide small world figures inside the sand before you freeze it. This makes for a fun scavenger hunt activity that is perfect for a hot summer day. The best part is, that when it all melts, you’ve got all of the materials you need for an underwater small world-play.

20. Shark Bay Sensory Bin

Celebrate Shark Week with a fun and educational shark themed sensory bin. With lots of opportunities for learning and exploration, it’s the perfect activity for curious kids.

21. Car STEM Experiments

Discover the exciting world of car STEM experiments. Explore real life physics and how we can use these concepts in different ways. This is a fun STEM activity that only requires a few toy cars and wooden blocks for ramps.

22. Polar Animal Sensory Bin

This polar animals sensory bin is perfect for toddler and preschool winter curriculums. Learn about the harsh climate these amazing animals live in. All while developing language, fine motor skills and more.

Let your child explore the wonders of the Arctic with this interactive polar animal sensory bin. Learn about the benefits of small world play and how it can help children’s development.

23. Parachute STEM Experiment

Discover numerous ways to design and build parachutes for your small world toys. Let your creativity take flight and come up with your own ideas.

24. Iceberg Sensory Bin

This Iceberg Sensory Bin for Winter is a fun, easy, taste safe sensory activity for kids. Perfect for babies, toddlers and preschoolers to play with this winter.

A fun and engaging small world play scene for children. Our iceberg sensory bin is perfect for imaginative play, tactile exploration, and developing fine motor skills. But the best part is that it’s 100% taste safe, which means you can do this fun activity with babies and very young toddlers too.

25. Jello Toy Rescue

Rescue the small world figures from jello. This is a fun and tasty fine motor activity for babies and toddlers. Use all sorts of everyday items you have at home to make this fun play idea.

Photo: The Craft At Home Family

26. Footprint Painting

Use the footprints from your small world figures to make animal tracks artwork. Simply dunk your animals in paint and let them “walk” across the page. This is a fun way to create art and explore how different animals have different shaped footprints.

Photo: My Bored Toddler

Are you going to try any of these different ways to play with Small World Figures?
Don’t forget to pin the idea for later.