Embrace the chaos: messy play ideas for sensory seekers

Wet and messy play may seem daunting, especially if you prefer tidy (clean!) and structured activities. However, for children who are sensory seekers, these activities offer fabulous benefits for their development and well-being

Understanding Sensory Seekers

Sensory seekers are children who actively seek sensory input to regulate their emotions and engage with their environment. They may crave activities that stimulate their senses, such as touch, movement, sight, sound, and taste. Wet and messy play provides an ideal avenue for our seeking kids to explore and satisfy their sensory needs.

Embracing the Mess

While it may seem daunting at first, remember that messiness is a natural part of childhood exploration and learning. By being brave (and having some good clean up materials on hand!) and allowing your child to engage in these activities, you create opportunities for them to develop crucial skills and experiences.

Benefits of wet and messy play

Sensory stimulation: Wet and messy play stimulates multiple senses simultaneously, providing rich sensory experiences.

Cognitive development: Exploring different textures, colors, and materials enhances cognitive development and promotes curiosity and creativity.

Emotional regulation: Sensory activities can help children regulate their emotions, reduce stress, and improve mood.

Social skills: Participating in wet and messy play with peers encourages social interaction, cooperation, and communication skills.

Physical development: Activities like pouring, scooping, and squishing promote fine and gross motor skills development.

So, are you ready to embrace a little chaos? Take a look at the following suggestions to see if any suit your child, and your tolerance level!

Finger painting

• Set up a designated area either outdoors or indoors with a protective covering for finger painting.
• Use non-toxic, washable paints in a variety of colors to encourage creativity and sensory exploration.
• Provide different tools like brushes, sponges, or even fingers for diverse painting techniques and textures.

Water play

• Create a sensory table or use a large basin filled with water for water play activities.
• Offer containers, cups, spoons, sponges, and water-safe toys for scooping, pouring, and splashing.
• Add food colouring or bath toys for additional sensory stimulation and imaginative play possibilities.

Mud kitchen

• Designate an outdoor space for a mud kitchen using old pots, pans, utensils, and natural materials like mud, sand, or homemade playdough.
• Encourage imaginative cooking and sensory exploration as your child mixes, pours, and molds “ingredients” in their mud kitchen creations.
• Provide water for mud consistency adjustment and cleaning up afterward.

Sensory bins

• Fill bins or trays with various sensory materials such as rice, sand, shredded paper, beans, or even pasta.
• Incorporate small toys, scoops, measuring cups, and containers to promote fine motor skills and sensory discovery.
• Rotate materials regularly to keep the sensory experience fresh and engaging.

Bubble play

• Use bubble wands, bubble machines, or homemade bubble solutions for interactive bubble play.
• Encourage your child to chase, pop, and explore bubbles of different sizes, colours, and textures.
• Incorporate bubble prints or bubble art activities for a creative twist on bubble play.

Ice play

• Fill a bin with ice cubes or freeze small toys in ice blocks for a chilly sensory experience.
• Encourage your child to explore the cold sensation, experiment with melting ice, and discover hidden treasures as the ice melts.

Gloop or oobleck sensory bin:

• Mix cornstarch and water to create a non-Newtonian fluid known as gloop or oobleck.
• Let your child squish and mold the gloop, noting its unique properties of being both liquid and solid depending on how it’s handled.

Jelly dig

• Prepare a tray filled with jelly and bury small toys or objects within it.
• Let your child dig through the jelly to uncover the hidden treasures, engaging in a tactile and exploratory activity.

Foam party

• Use a bubble bath or mild soap to create a foam party in a kiddie pool or bathtub.
• Let your child play with the foamy bubbles, practice pouring and scooping, and enjoy sensory-rich water play.

Sensory slime

• Make homemade slime using glue, borax, or other safe slime recipes.
• Explore different textures, colours, and add-ins (like glitter or beads) to customize the sensory experience.

Squirt bottle art

• Fill squirt bottles with diluted paint or coloured water and let your child create outdoor art on pavement or a large canvas.
• Experiment with spraying techniques, mixing colours, and making unique designs with squirt bottles.

Sensory car wash:

• Set up a mini car wash station with toy cars, sponges, soap, and water buckets.
• Encourage your child to “wash” the toy cars, engaging in pretend play and sensory exploration with water and textures.

Tips for successful messy Play sessions

Dress for mess: Have your child wear old clothes or aprons and consider using a plastic tablecloth or mat to contain the mess.

Supervision: Supervise play sessions to ensure safety and provide guidance as needed.

Cleanup routine: Establish a cleanup routine together, involving your child in cleaning up after playtime.

Positive reinforcement: Encourage and praise your child’s exploration and creativity during messy play, try not to criticise or complain when the mess starts to spread!

Adjust as required: Starting with your attitude! A little mess is never really that bad – embrace it as a learning experience for everyone. And, adjust each activity to suit your child’s interests and preferences, then get ready to enjoy the fun!