The Joy of Messy Play: Why It’s a Big Deal in Early Years Learning

At our nursery and preschool, we embrace the mess—because when little hands get busy, big learning is happening! Whether it’s paint in their hair or sand in their socks, these are signs that your child has had a rich, hands-on day of exploration. It’s all thanks to something we love and encourage daily: messy play.

What Exactly Is Messy Play?

Messy play refers to open-ended, sensory-rich activities that let children explore with their hands (and often their whole bodies!). This kind of play often involves things like mud, sand, water, slime, foam, paint, and sometimes even food-based textures like jelly or spaghetti.

The best part? There’s no “right” or “wrong” way to do it. Children are free to investigate,

experiment, and follow their curiosity wherever it leads.

Why Messy Play Matters

While it may look like simple fun, messy play supports a huge range of developmental skills. Here’s how:

• Stimulates the senses – Children engage touch, sight, smell, and even taste in a safe and engaging way.

• Builds creativity – With no fixed outcomes, children use imagination to guide their play.

• Strengthens fine motor skills – Activities like squeezing, scooping, and pouring help develop finger strength and coordination.

• Boosts communication – Describing how things feel, look, and move builds vocabulary and language skills.

• Supports emotional wellbeing – Messy play can be soothing, satisfying, and a wonderful outlet for expression.

• Encourages independence – Children make choices, test ideas, and lead their own learning.

How We Use Messy Play at Nursery

Messy play is woven into our daily routine because it offers something for every child. It’s inclusive, accessible, and full of opportunities for self-discovery. Whether they’re experimenting with water and funnels, exploring textures in a sensory tray, or painting with their fingers, children are learning in meaningful ways.

We make sure messy play is safe, well-supervised, and joyful—where making a mess is not just allowed but celebrated!

Try It at Home: Simple Messy Play Ideas

You don’t need fancy resources to enjoy messy play at home. Here are some easy, low-prep ideas:

• Water fun – Use the sink, bathtub, or a bucket with spoons and cups.

• Homemade playdough – Mix flour, salt, and water, and add colours or scents.

• Nature painting – Try using leaves or sticks as natural brushes.

• Foamy fun – Shaving foam on a tray is perfect for finger-writing or sensory exploration.

• Spaghetti or jelly tubs – Let your child squish, scoop, and dig in.

• Cornflour ‘gloop’ – Mix cornflour and water for a fascinating texture that changes when handled.

Top tip: Keep clean-up simple by playing outside, using a plastic mat, or setting it up in the bath.

Messy Minds, Happy Hearts

Messy play nurtures curious, confident, and creative children. It might leave behind a little clean-up, but the learning that happens is more than worth it. So the next time your child shows off their latest paint-splattered creation or brings home a bit of glitter in their hair, you can feel proud—they’ve been learning in the best possible way.

Because as we like to say: a little mess means a lot of learning!