The article explores the connection between Loris Malaguzzi’s educational philosophy of the Reggio Emilia schools and Simon Nicholson’s Loose Parts theory. Both thinkers view creativity and curiosity as fundamental to children’s learning, and materials and “variables” can be used innovatively to support this discovery. The article also examines the use of scrap materials and the REMIDA project as a concrete example of how these educational principles can be put into practice.