We love messy play! My boys engage in some sort of messy play every single day. Our messy play favorites range from finger paint to cloud dough to making our own silly putty. There are so many ideas for messy play. I feel like we could try something new every single day and not run out of ideas.
In addition to the ideas we create, I am inspired daily by some fabulous kid bloggers. To bring you the very best ideas for PLAY and LEARNING we have joined forces to form The PLAY Group. Don’t worry, if you aren’t fond of messy play The PLAY Group has thousands of ideas for play based learning, crafts, outdoor activities, games, process art, sensory play, and so much more! The PLAY Group truly is the one stop spot for activities for kids.
Who is The PLAY Group?
Train Up a Child ~ Growing a Jeweled Rose ~ In Lieu of Preschool ~ Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas ~ Toddler Approved ~ B-Inspired Mama ~ Rainy Day Mum ~ Learn with Play at Home ~ One Perfect Day ~ Mess for Less ~ Parent Teach Play ~ Housing a Forest ~ Bath Activities for Kids ~ Nature and Play
For the the absolute best ideas for PLAY and LEARNING and to be sure you don’t miss a single idea from The PLAY Group follow our Pinterest Board.
If messy play stresses you out I wrote a post about Tips and Tricks for Messy Play. My Child's Play 101 - Messy Play post lists the benefits and importance of messy play. Don't fear stains or faded clothing with these Laundry Tips and Tricks.
The PLAY Group is proud to bring you 200+ ideas for messy play:
Messy Sensory Play
Two Ingredient Multisensory Cloud Dough from Train Up a Child
Cloud Dough from Learn with Play at Home
Glitter Sensory Play from Train Up a Child
"Shivery Snow" for Outdoor Sensory Play this Summer from Learn with Play at Home
Cake Dough from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Make Your Own 2 Ingredient Cloud Dough from In Lieu Of Preschool
Recipe for Play - Clean Mud from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Sensory Bins to Teach Day and Night from Train Up a Child
Dirt Dough from Bath Activities for Kids
Pete the Cat Sensory Walk from In Lieu Of Preschool
First Week of Preschool - Messy Play and Fun! from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
Cloud Dough Recipes from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Messy Art Recipes:
Homemade Puffy Paint with Three Ingredients from Train Up a Child
Puffy Paint in the Microwave from Toddler Approved
Homemade Fingerpaint from Mess for Less
Sidewalk Chalk Paint from Train Up a Child
Fluffy Bath Tub Paint from Housing a Forest
Homemade 3D Puffy Paint from In Lieu Of Preschool
Sidewalk Chalk Body Paint from Train Up a Child
Messy Process Art
Salt Paintings from Train Up a Child
Painting with Rolling Pins and Bubble Wrap from Mess for Less
Painting with Pine Cones from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Glue Canvas. Kids Art from Learn with Play at Home
Snow Art and Sensory Fun from In Lieu Of Preschool
Painting Just to Paint from Rainy Day Mum
Making Foil Prints from Train Up a Child {Guest post on Crayon Freckles}
Feather Painting from Mess for Less
DIY Rolling Stamp from In Lieu Of Preschool
Exploding Art from Housing a Forest
Painting with Shredded Paper from Mess for Less
Painting without a Brush - Blow Painting from One Perfect Day
Shape Making with Mega Bloks from Mess for Less
Comb Painting from Learn with Play at Home
Marbled Painting - with Unexpected Results from One Perfect Day
Bubble Wrap Prints from Mess for Less
PVA Painting from Learn with Play at Home
Paint a Flower Pot from Learn with Play at Home
Puffy Paint {Math, Science and Sensory Play in Kids' Art} from One Perfect Day
Rainbow Messes from Toddler Approved
Nail Polish Art from Housing a Forest
Slide Painting with Balls from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Unusual Art Supplies from B-Inspired Mama
Silly Sensory Ball Painting from B-Inspired Mama
Kids' Art - Raised Salt Painting from One Perfect Day
Messy Ice Play
Bringing the Snow Inside from Housing a Forest
Preschool Snow Activities from B-Inspired Mama
Building with Ice Cubes from Train Up a Child
Kool-aid Snow Paint from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Aluminum Foil Frozen Paint Art in Preschool from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
Indoor Snow Making Activities from Rainy Day Mum
Goop and Ice Sensory Activity from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Messy Seasonal and Holiday Play
Winter Bath Activities for Kids from Bath Activities for Kids
Snow Cloud Dough from Rainy Day Mum
Indoor Snowy Day for Kids from Bath Activities for Kids
Chocolate Eruptions from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Cloud Dough Heart Cakes from Train Up a Child
Shamrock Slime from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Berry Egg-citing Easter Eggs from Mess for Less
Patriotic 4th of July Mud Pies from Growing a Jeweled Rose
7 Fun Halloween Baths for Kids from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Pumpkin Oobleck from Train Up a Child
Pumpkin Scented Cloud Dough from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Carving Pumpkins with Kids from Train Up a Child
Halloween Sensory Activities for Kids from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Halloween Puddle Jumping Fun from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Autumn Jello Sensory Bin from Train Up a Child
Simple Autumn Sensory Activity from B-Inspired Mama
Erupting Monsters from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Turkey Basting Bath from In Lieu Of Preschool
Christmas Bubbles from In Lieu Of Preschool
Gingerbread Cloud Dough from In Lieu Of Preschool
Christmas Bubble Wrap from In Lieu Of Preschool
Messy Science Experiments
Running On Oobleck from Housing a Forest
Mixology 101 from Train Up a Child
Potions and Mixes from Rainy Day Mum
Mud Pie Science Bath Fun from Bath Activities for Kids
Homemade Volcano from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
Color Mixing and Oobleck from Train Up a Child
Bubble Play and Concoctions from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Fizz, Bubble and Pop! from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
Bath Time Science Lab from Bath Activities for Kids
Erupting Snow from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Fizzy Footprints from Toddler Approved
Mad Science Lab from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Dancing Oobleck from Housing a Forest
Homemade Perfume Concoctions from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Goop from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
Simple Messy Play
Five Ingredients for Sensory Preschool Play from B-Inspired Mama
Five Simple Sensory Bins for Babies and Toddlers from Train Up a Child
5 Fun Color Mixing Experiments for Preschoolers from B-Inspired Mama
Valentine's Sensory Play with Rice from Train Up a Child
Messy Playdough Activities
Play Doh Cupcake Fun from B-Inspired Mama
Painting with Playdough from Train Up a Child
Exploring Playdough with Kitchen Tools from One Perfect Day
Playdough Easter Eggs from Train Up a Child
Making Blackberry Playdough from Rainy Day Mum
Painting Playdough Letters from Train Up a Child
Chocolate Playdough from Parent Teach Play
Easy Homemade Playdough Tips and Tricks from One Perfect Day
Child Led Valentine's Playdough from Train Up a Child
Messy Fun with Food
Jello Sensory Bin from Train Up a Child
Experimental "Cooking" from Learn with Play at Home
Pretend Cooking with Real Scraps from Train Up a Child
Painting with Carrots from Mess for Less
Getting Messy - Rainbow Spaghetti Sensory Tub from One Perfect Day
Painting Four Leaf Clovers from Train Up a Child
Pretend Play - Cooking a Feast from Rainy Day Mum
Painting with Apples from Train Up a Child
Pretend Play Cooking with Real Ingredients from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Messy Imaginative Play
The Lorax Sensory Bin with DIY Truffula Trees from In Lieu Of Preschool
Sensory Tea Party from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Gluppity Glup and Schloppity Schlopp inspired by The Lorax from Train Up a Child
Jello Ocean in the Bath from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Indoor Messy Car Wash from Train Up a Child
Rain Forest Sensory Bath from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Penguin Sensory Bin from Train Up a Child
Ocean Themed Sensory Bath from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Ocean Small World Play from Rainy Day Mum
Mud Pie Kitchen from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Create a Dinosaur Island Small World Play Scene from One Perfect Day
Princess Pies Sensory Play from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Educational Activities that are Messy
Alphabet Fun "T" is for Truck Track Art from B-Inspired Mama
Silly Putty Sight Word Search from Train Up a Child
I Spy with Packing Peanuts from Toddler Approved
Expanding Vocabulary with Sensory Play from Train Up a Child
Messy Bath Play Alphabet Letter Hunt from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Shaving Cream Writing Practice from Train Up a Child
Alphabet Goo from Learn with Play at Home
Monster Brains Sensory Bin Scavenger Hunt from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
Alphabet and Number Hunt Sensory Bin from Train Up a Child
Messy Slime, Putty and Goo
Slime - Slimy Silly Putty from Train Up a Child
Flubber! Gak! Fun! from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
Two Ingredient Homemade Silly Putty from Train Up a Child
Slime Baskets - Messy Bath Play from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Dr. Seuss' Oobleck from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
Shivery Snow Slime from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Goop from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Stuck in the Gloop from Rainy Day Mum
Multi-sensory Goop from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Baby Safe Messy Play
Sensory Pudding Paint from Train Up a Child
Two Ingredient Baby Safe Paint from Train Up a Child
Instant Pudding and Ice from Rainy Day Mum
Homemade Paint Safe for Babies from Train Up a Child
Baby Play - Finger Paints from Rainy Day Mum
Bubbles and Colors in the Play Pool from Train Up a Child
Baby Play - Finger Painting from Rainy Day Mum
Sensory Baked Bean Squish and Snack from Learn with Play at Home
Edible Paint for Babies from Rainy Day Mum
Edible Sensory Paint for Babies from Train Up a Child
56 Ideas for Baby Sensory Play from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Oh Baby Simple Sensory Play from Train Up a Child
Process Art for Babies from Rainy Day Mum
Peppermint Oatmeal Sensory Play from Train Up a Child
Yogurt Spice Painting from Train Up a Child
Ultimate Messy Play
Playing in the Mud from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Oobleck and Color Mixing in the Play Pool from Train Up a Child
Group Sensory Play from Growing a Jeweled Rose
More Group Sensory Play from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Tempura Paint in the Play Pool from Train Up a Child
Tips for Hosting a Messy Play Date from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Body Paint Slip and Slide from Train Up a Child
Sensory Play Date from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Messy Bath Time Activities
Creative Art Station in the Bath from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Antartica Small World Play Bath from In Lieu Of Preschool
Contained Body Painting in the Bath from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Coconut Volcano Surprise from Parent Teach Play
Gardening Bath from Bath Activities for Kids
Messy Sensory Shower from In Lieu Of Preschool
Birthday Cake Bath from Bath Activities for Kids
GLOWING Messy Play
Homemade Glowing Paint from Train Up a Child
Glow in the Dark Flubber Fun from Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
Glowing Ice from Train Up a Child
Glowing Rainbow Slime from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Bartholowmew and the Glowing Oobleck from Train Up a Child
Glowing Clean Mud from Train Up a Child
Glowing Paint Recipe from Train Up a Child
Glowing Jello Experiment from Train Up a Child
Glowing Goop from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Glowing Homemade Bath Paint from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Messy Craft Time
Mess Free Pour Paint Rockets from Toddler Approved
Paper Mache Light Up Globes from Housing a Forest
Kid Made Gift Wrap from Mess for Less
Egg Shell Collages from Train Up a Child
Shaving Cream Pumpkin Banner from Mess for Less
Paper Mache Clay Snowmen from Housing a Forest
Fall Fingerprint Tree from Mess for Less
Shaving Cream Messy Fun
Adventures in Shaving Cream from Train Up a Child
Color Mixing and Shaving Foam Fun from Rainy Day Mum
Shaving Cream Painting from In Lieu Of Preschool
Cleaning with Shaving Cream from Housing a Forest
Shaving Cream in the Play Pool from Train Up a Child
Shaving Foam Fun! from One Perfect Day
Painting with Shaving Cream from Mess for Less
Bubble Wrap Sensory Sliding Fun from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Messy Bubbles
Fun with Bubbles from In Lieu Of Preschool
Rainbow Bubble Snakes from Housing a Forest
Homemade Indoor Bubble Solution from In Lieu Of Preschool
Kool-aid Bubbles and More Ideas with Kool-Aid from Growing a Jeweled Rose
Messy Rainbows
Painting Rainbows with Marshmallows from Train Up a Child
Mosaic Rainbow Art for Kids from Parent Teach Play
Fun with Rainbows from Parent Teach Play
The Minneapolis Color Run from Housing a Forest
Painting Rainbows in the Bath from Bath Activities for Kids
How can YOU get involved with The PLAY Group? We have a G+ community for parents and teachers who love hands on learning and PLAY. Come join the fun! Jump right into the discussions, share posts, and get inspired! The PLAY Group is determined to bring you the very best in PLAY and LEARNING.
As promised, The PLAY Group has thousands of ideas for PLAY and LEARNING. Click on the photos to visit the sites of my fellow members of The PLAY Group and get inspired!
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