why busylizzy is championing curiosity-led play

A Q&A with Kate Parker, The Busylizzy Club Events Director

At Busylizzy, we’ve always been focused on supporting every stage of early development, not just physically, but emotionally and cognitively too. As babies grow into toddlers, their desire to explore deepens, and we noticed how important unstructured, hands-on play was becoming for the one-year-old age group. Curiosity-led play felt like a natural fit. It encourages children to lead the way, to figure things out for themselves, and to gain confidence as they go.

It aligns perfectly. Our classes are designed to nurture babies and support parents without pressure or rigid expectations. Curiosity-led play is all about giving children the space to follow their instincts and take the lead in their learning. That mirrors our wider philosophy. We’re not here to tell families how to play or parent. We’re here to offer meaningful, developmentally rich experiences in a relaxed and supportive environment.

We were genuinely impressed by how innovative these toys are. They’re unlike anything we’ve seen before and clearly designed to reflect how little ones naturally explore. Every detail, from the textures to the way the pieces move, encourages curiosity and hands-on discovery. The children are completely engaged, constantly picking them up, testing ideas, and playing in new ways. It’s rare to find toys that hold their attention like that.

These short sessions are designed for one-year-olds to explore freely. There’s no instructor, no fixed structure, and no right or wrong way to play. The toys are simply set out for little ones to engage with in their own time, in their own way. Each toy is carefully designed to spark curiosity, encouraging babies to experiment, combine, and discover through trial and error. One moment of exploration naturally leads to the next – creating a chain of discovery that’s entirely baby-led.

At around one year old, children become more mobile, more independent and more curious. They want to understand how things work. They’re trying things out, repeating actions, experimenting. But they also need safety and boundaries. These sessions offer that balance as children are free to explore in a secure environment, using toys that are designed to support their stage of development. It’s a lovely way for parents to gain insight into how their child learns.

Parents are often surprised by what they see. Babies try new things, repeat actions and stay focused far longer than expected. It’s calm, but there’s a lot happening. These sessions show how powerful it is when babies are given the space to explore on their own terms.

1curiosity Play Sessions for one-year-olds are available at selected Busylizzy Clubs. These short, focused sessions give little ones the chance to explore freely while parents observe the benefits of curiosity-led play in action. There is no instruction, no pressure and no rush. Just calm, open play in a safe environment.