Messy Play Activities You and Your Child Will Love, And Support Sensory Development

By Karen J | Updated December 2025

Messy play is often thought of as simple fun - paint on hands, water on the floor, mud everywhere. But early childhood research and occupational therapy consistently show that messy play is far more than that. It plays a critical role in sensory integration, motor development, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and early learning.

Hands-on, multi-sensory experiences help children understand their bodies, their environment, and how they interact with the world. This is why messy play is widely encouraged by early childhood educators, occupational therapists, and child development specialists.

Below are messy play activities children genuinely love - and the developmental reasons they matter.

Why Messy Play Is Important for Sensory Development

Sensory development refers to how the nervous system receives, organises, and responds to information from the senses - touch, movement, balance, sight, sound, smell, and body awareness.

Occupational therapist A. Jean Ayres, who developed Sensory Integration Theory, emphasised that children learn best when their nervous system actively processes sensory input through movement, touch, and exploration. When children are given opportunities to explore textures, resistance, temperature, and movement, they build the neural foundations for learning, self-regulation, and coordination.

Modern early childhood frameworks - including Australia’s Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) - recognise sensory-rich, play-based learning as essential for healthy development in the early years.

Sensory Bins and Tactile Exploration

Sensory bins are simple to set up and incredibly effective.

Fill a shallow container with materials such as rice, lentils, pasta, sand, water, or oats. Add cups, scoops, small toys, or household objects.

Developmental benefits:

• Supports tactile processing (touch)
• Builds fine motor skills and hand strength
• Encourages problem-solving and curiosity
• Improves hand-eye coordination
• Supports concentration and independent play

Jean Piaget’s work on cognitive development highlighted that young children learn through direct interaction with their environment. Sensory bins allow children to experiment, observe cause and effect, and construct understanding through experience rather than instruction.

Finger Painting and Handprint Art

Finger painting engages multiple senses at once - touch, sight, movement, and sometimes even smell.

Using non-toxic paints and large paper, children can explore colour, texture, pressure, and movement without needing tools.

Developmental benefits:

• Encourages creative expression
• Strengthens fine motor control
• Supports visual-motor integration
• Helps with emotional expression
• Builds confidence through self-directed play

According to Early Childhood Australia, open-ended art experiences support creativity and self-esteem while allowing children to express ideas they may not yet have words for.

Playdough and Clay Creations

Playdough and clay offer resistance - which is extremely valuable for developing hand strength and body awareness.

Whether homemade or store-bought, these materials invite squeezing, rolling, pinching, and shaping.

Developmental benefits:

• Strengthens hand and finger muscles
• Supports proprioception (body awareness)
• Improves coordination needed for writing later on
• Encourages imaginative and symbolic play
• Supports calming and self-regulation

Occupational therapists often recommend playdough activities for children who need support with fine motor development or sensory regulation because of the deep tactile and proprioceptive input involved.

Water Play and Splash Activities

Water play is one of the most universally loved sensory experiences for young children.

This might include water tables, bath play, pouring games, or outdoor tubs with cups and funnels.

Developmental benefits:

• Supports sensory modulation
• Encourages early science concepts (volume, flow, cause and effect)
• Builds coordination and motor planning
• Promotes calm focus and engagement

The Harvard Center on the Developing Child highlights that early play experiences help build neural connections that support later learning, particularly when children can explore freely and repeatedly.

Outdoor Messy Play and Nature Exploration

Taking messy play outdoors adds an additional layer of sensory richness.

Mud kitchens, gardening, digging, collecting leaves, or simply playing in dirt allow children to engage with natural textures and environments.

Developmental benefits:

• Encourages gross motor development
• Supports sensory integration through varied textures
• Builds connection to nature
• Promotes resilience, curiosity, and problem-solving

Maria Montessori strongly advocated for hands-on, nature-based learning, believing children develop independence and confidence through real-world experiences.

Messy Play and Emotional Regulation

One of the most important - and often overlooked - benefits of messy play is its role in emotional regulation.

Repeated sensory experiences help children:

• process overwhelming sensations
• calm their nervous system
• develop frustration tolerance
• express emotions non-verbally
• build confidence through mastery

Occupational therapy research consistently links sensory input with improved regulation and emotional wellbeing, particularly for young children still learning to manage big feelings.

Practical Tips for Safe and Positive Messy Play

• Always supervise young children
• Use non-toxic, child-safe materials
• Be mindful of allergies and sensitivities
• Let the child lead — never force participation
• Expect mess (and plan for it)
• Focus on the experience, not the outcome

Messy play should feel safe, relaxed, and pressure-free.

A Final Thought

Messy play isn’t about creating chaos - it’s about creating opportunities for learning, connection, and growth.

As children squish, splash, mould, and explore, they’re building the foundations for sensory processing, emotional regulation, creativity, and problem-solving - skills that will support them well beyond the early years.

By embracing messy play, you’re not just supporting development - you’re giving your child the freedom to learn through experience, curiosity, and joy.