We had one of our Art Playgroups recently, and something that’s been said then reminded me of a topic that keeps coming up:
“I’m SO glad this is not my house.”
And I get it – I mean, it’s part of the reason our Art Playgroup exists. Mess means work, and more often than not, a lot of it. Painted hands, feet, and yup, legs… Sticky slime going everywhere, Playdough crumbs spreading like confetti… 🫠 Here’s the important part though: messy play means deep learning.
Why? Because when tamariki get to mix colours and textures, or splash, tip and pour water everywhere, they’re experimenting, problem-solving, and engaging all their senses – whilst following their curiosity. Experiences like these lay the foundation for future cognitive abilities, emotions, and behaviours throughout life.
Read it again. It’s a mouthful. 😁
If you would like to invite more messy play/foundational learning into your home, here are some easy ways to make peace with the mess (or at least minimise the tidy up):
✔️ Use a “messy play” towel, sheet or tray. Tarp underneath makes it waterproof.
✔️ Take it outside (bonus: fresh air and vitamin D).
✔️ Focus on engagement, not cleanup. A big part of offering messy play is the mindset around what you are providing. This is not just about being messy or providing entertainment, it’s about building neural pathways and strengthening creativity, independence, and confidence. When children are free to explore without worrying about “keeping clean,” they take bigger risks, make exciting discoveries, and truly immerse themselves in the experience.
Still feeling hesitant? Start small! Try:
✨ Ice cubes with a sprinkle of salt. Use droppers or little squeezy bottles to add food colouring: watch the colours swirl!
✨ A simple bucket of water and a paintbrush for “painting” the fence or pavement.
✨ If you’re a bit braver: A shallow tray with cornstarch and water (aka Oobleck) for slippery texture fun.
Pro-tip 1: Add flowers, leaves, fern to add some extra flair and natural beauty.
Pro-tip 2: Chuck in a few kitchen cooking tools like mixing spoons, ladles and a sieve.
Pro-tip 3: Have a change of clothes ready.
And if you really want your little artist to experience the magic of messy play without scrubbing your walls afterwards… come and join our Art Playgroups! Curious? Check out our upcoming classes (pssst: the code FRIENDS lets you bring a friend for free at our final Fitzroy class on March 31).
Happy playing and creating,
Franzi x
Imagine Play Inspire 