Benefits Of Messy Play For Toddlers and Kids
As a parent, I understand that messy play can be something no one wants to deal with. While babies and toddlers love messy play, none of us want to be cleaning up even more messes. However, the reason it is worth doing is not only because children love it but also because there are developmental benefits. There are also plenty of different messy play activities, so choose one that fits the best for you and your child. It is easier when you have a backyard or a designated play room in the house. I remember when my children first started finger painting and playing with play dough. While the mess can spread, my children loved it.
How Messy Play Works
Messy play is when kids use their senses to play and explore with messy textures and materials. They can squeeze, mush, pour, smear, and get their hands dirty with things like mud, paint, sand, water, play dough, shaving cream, and more. It’s free, open play where they are allowed to make a mess. This hands-on creating stimulates their minds and builds physical skills. While it can create cleanup, the developmental benefits make embracing messy play worth it.
5 Top-Rated Messy Play Toys
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Kinetic Sand, The Original Moldable Messy Play Sand, Pink, 2 lb. | Kinetic Sand provides a fun and creative way for kids to shape, mold, and create unique sand art, with the added benefits of easy cleanup. | Buy On Amazon |
 | Jar Melo Safe Finger Paints for Toddlers, Non Toxic Finger Painting Set | Our fingerpaint kit is non-toxic, safe for all ages, and rigorously tested to ensure no allergies, with vibrant colors and a creamy texture that stimulates sensory development. | Buy On Amazon |
 | Elmer’s Celebration Slime Kit, Slime Supplies Include Assorted Magical Liquid Slime Activators | This slime kit is perfect for creative play, featuring washable, safe, and non-toxic Elmer's Liquid Glue, and an all-in-one Magical Liquid activator that eliminates the need for additional ingredients. | Buy On Amazon |
 | Play-Doh Slime Compound Variety 6-Pack with Play-Doh: Foam, Super Cloud, Krackle, Super Stretch | The Play-Doh Slime Compound Variety Pack offers a range of colors and textures for messy play, featuring 6 cans of different Play-Doh Slime compounds. | Buy On Amazon |
 | Play-Doh Kitchen Creations Noodle Party Playset for Kids 3 Years and Up | The Play-Doh pasta maker toy is a fun and easy-to-use set that allows kids to explore their culinary creativity by creating different noodle shapes. | Buy On Amazon |
Messy Play Activities
By trying a variety of messy play ideas, you give your child new experiences that promote their development and learning.
- Finger painting with washable paint
- Finger painting with pudding
- Baking in the kitchen and playing with dough
- Sensory bins with beans or rice
- Arts and crafts with glue, glitter, and markers
- Water play with buckets and toys
- Play dough sculpting
- Mixing colored water or bubbles
- Making “potions” with safe kitchen ingredients
6 Benefits of Messy Play
Enhances sensory skills and coordination
Squishing, molding, and manipulating various textures enhances tactile development. This builds fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Sensory play develops the connections between hands and eyes.
Boosts problem-solving and STEM skills
As children experiment and construct creations, they engage in critical thinking, spatial reasoning, and science exploration. Testing concepts promotes an early understanding of cause and effect.
Fosters creativity and self-expression
Open-ended play encourages imagination, innovation, and developing a unique artistic style. Unstructured creating allows children to think divergently.
Provides emotional benefits
Messy play allows a safe outlet for stress relief and emotional processing. Playing with sensory materials can have a calming, therapeutic effect.
Builds confidence
Overcoming challenges and taking risks during messy play promotes independence and self-assurance. Pushing boundaries sparks a sense of pride and achievement.
Develops social skills
Collaborating and communicating during shared messy play teaches teamwork and relationship skills. Cooperating builds the ability to compromise and problem-solve together.
Tips for Getting The Most Out Of Messy Play Time With Your Kids
The joy and learning messy play provides is worth the extra cleanup! By embracing messiness, you support your child’s total development.
- Messy Play Time: Set aside dedicated messy playtime at least once per week. It can be a great thing for kids to look forward to on the weekends with you.
- Cleanup Time: Involve them in cleanup to teach responsibility. Tell your children that it is okay to make a small mess, but to keep the mess in the area they are playing. Lastly,
- Embrace The Mess: Let go of perfectionism and embrace the process. You don’t want to keep everything so strict all the time – Let kids be kids.
- Provide Messy Experiences: Provide open-ended materials to stimulate your child’s imagination. For example, you can get a sand pit for outside or get washable paint. My children absolutely loved outdoor chalk and outdoor painting chalk.
- Let The Kids Play: Let kids take the lead in exploring their creativity. You want to help them along the way and encourage them.
