The Magic of Messy Play: Why Getting Messy is Essential for Child Development

At Choklits, we believe that some of the best learning happens when children are free to get a little (or a lot!) messy. Under the guidance of our Creative Play Specialist – or as we like to call her, our “Chief Mess Maker” – Asten, children from 6 months to 5 years old explore, create, and learn through engaging messy play experiences. What makes our approach unique? We transform everyday recycled materials into magical learning opportunities, proving that extraordinary learning can come from ordinary objects.

What Makes Messy Play So Important?

Messy play isn’t just about having fun (though there’s plenty of that!),  it’s a crucial part of early childhood development that engages all the senses and supports multiple areas of learning. When children squish, pour, build, and explore, they’re developing essential skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

The Development Benefits

• Sensory Development: Through touching different textures and manipulating various materials, children develop their sensory processing abilities.
• Fine Motor Skills: Activities like pouring, straining, and manipulating small objects help strengthen hand muscles and improve coordination.
• Problem-Solving: When children experiment with different materials, they learn cause and effect, developing critical thinking skills.
• Social Skills: Group messy play activities encourage sharing, collaboration, and communication.
• Creative Expression: Open-ended play with various materials allows children to express themselves freely and develop creativity.

Sustainable Creativity: Our Recycled Materials Approach

At Choklits, Asten has mastered the art of turning everyday recycled items into engaging play experiences. Some of our favourite materials include:

• Strainers from risotto containers
• Clean jar lids
• Paper towel rolls
• Cardboard boxes from our nappy deliveries
• Various paper products

These simple items become the building blocks of extraordinary projects, from giant haunted houses to collaborative birthday cake creations. Asten regularly gets resources from Reverse Art Truck Inc. in Ringwood and NQR. She even has contacts with local restaurants who donate appropriate food like pasta and rice which has passed its use by date and is normally thrown out. By using recycled materials, we’re not just creating engaging play experiences – we’re also teaching children about sustainability and creative reuse.

Safety First: Our Approach to Messy Play

We understand that safety is a top priority for parents. That’s why all of our messy play activities follow strict safety guidelines:

• All materials are taste-safe for our youngest explorers
• Materials are thoroughly checked for allergens
• We conduct choking hazard tests on all items
• All activities are supervised by trained educators

Bringing Messy Play Home: Simple Ideas for Parents

Parents often tell us, “I love all the activities – I wouldn’t do it at my house, so I’m glad you guys do it here!” While we’re happy to handle the big messes, here are some simple, contained messy play activities you can try at home:

Sensory Rice Box

Materials needed:

• Uncooked rice
• Food colouring (optional)
• Container with lid
• Recycled scoops and containers

Setup:

1. Colour rice if desired (let dry completely)
2. Place in container
3. Add recycled scooping tools
4. Place on a sheet or mat for easy cleanup

Recycled Construction Site

Materials needed:

• Empty cardboard boxes
• Paper towel rolls
• Clean jar lids
• Child-safe glue
• Washable paint

Setup:

1. Collect materials over time
2. Create a designated space
3. Let children design and build
4. Add paint for decoration

Nature Collage

Materials needed:

• Cardboard base
• Collected nature items
• Child-safe glue
• Recycled containers for sorting

Setup:

1. Collect nature items during a walk
2. Sort items in recycled containers
3. Create artwork on cardboard
4. Display the finished piece

Connecting to Learning Outcomes

Our messy play activities align with all five outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF):

1. Children have a strong sense of identity (expressing themselves through creative work)
2. Children are connected with and contribute to their world (using recycled materials)
3. Children have a strong sense of wellbeing (developing physical skills)
4. Children are confident and involved learners (experimenting with materials)
5. Children are effective communicators (sharing ideas during group projects)

Tips for Managing Messy Play

1. Preparation is Key

• Designate a specific area
• Use washable materials
• Have cleaning supplies ready
• Wear old clothes

2. Setting Boundaries

• Create clear rules about where messy play can happen
• Establish cleanup routines
• Teach responsible use of materials

3. Making Cleanup Fun

• Turn it into a game
• Use cleanup as another learning opportunity
• Celebrate team effort

Join the Messy Adventure!

As one parent recently asked us, “How do you come up with all these amazing ideas!?” The answer is simple: we observe what engages children and build on their natural curiosity. At Choklits, we’re proud to provide these rich learning experiences, and we’re always excited to share our approach with families.

Want to see messy play in action? Follow us on social media for regular updates and ideas, or book a tour to visit our centre. Remember, every mess is an opportunity for learning and growth!

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Looking for more creative play ideas? Contact us to learn more about our program or to schedule a visit. Let’s get messy together!

Composed by Choklits Owner Matt Reynolds