Messy play for 1 year +

[loopylou10]

I have a boy who just turned one and i really want some ideas on what messy play activities i can give him without him ruining my house. Now of course i will expect some mess, that is inevitable. But i was hoping that someone could recommend some products that are easy to clean, or anything on the market that allows a child to explore messy play without it being easy for them to tip of throw items. Maybe there are items that can be fixed to a surface which can be used for paints. I know i can take him outside when the weather is nice, but this is England after all!! and we are now nearing the end of the summer. A sand/water pit is fine for outdoors but is it wise to let my child loose with paints just yet. Any ideas or recommendations would be most welcome.

cornflour - mixed to thick, is great, easy to clean up and great fun

paints - in highchair on hard floor, put a blob of washing up liquid in it for easier clear up

Made up porridge oats is fun, doesn't stain

Playdough?

ds (16mo) goes to nursery 3 days a week so I let them do the messy play stuff! A few crafty type things they do though that seem easy (ish!) to clean up are playing with shredded paper (they get loads of it and throw it around, climb/jump in it etc, sticking glitter, feathers etc to paper (you can apply the glue and then he can play with the glitter etc and it can be hoovered/swept up afterwards, different textured papers, plastics etc can be stuck to paper too and not so messy iyswim. Are those the sort of things you're thinking of or do you definitely want liquid type messy play?

Oh another thing I've heard is good but haven't tried myself is playing with different coloured jellies (in the bath probably best for least mess!)

Ooh Im so glad you want to let your little boy explore like this :D Here are some of the things I did with my girls as well as in the nursery I worked in.

It's worth investing in a builder's mixing tray if you're going to do alot or a big cat littler tray -keeps things a bit more contained :o

Paint - add a big squidge of fairy liquid for easier clean up, add sand, coconut, lentils etc to give a different texture to explore.

Cooked spaghetti and made up jelly, cornflour mixed with water either as it is or cooked to a custard like texture are all fun to explore. For dry ingredients try basics cornflakes or dry pasta.Edible things like these are great because it doesnt matter if he tries to explore by putting them into his mouth. Really there are no limits to what you can let children play with - as he gets older colured fish tank gravel is a good alternative to sand, or you could try potting compost.

Small children like tiny things to play with so save little yoghurt pots and baby spoons, a set of measuring cups and lolly sticks or a teas strainer to help explore the gloopy stuff further.

hope this helps,

Cuppycake

PS - don't forget play dough, if you make your own you can add a huge variety of things like colours and smells or glitter.

I like the idea of using glue and getting him stick things to card. Will definitley try the paint ideas. I guess its best just to use a little at a time. I like the idea of playdough as long as he doesn't try eating it, as he is that "sticking anything in his mouth stage". Thanks for the ideas so far, I welcome any more.

What about suggesting a messy play session to a friend and then turning up at her house with the paper and paint! Don't do plasticine, i'm still unpicking the dog.

Water is fun too - good on a warm day as you can go outside. I had a clean cat litter tray and put some water in it, add a few cups or toys that float.
DD still loves playing with water, we were painting this afternoon but the bit she most enjoys is cleaning the pots and brushes afterwards. As long as you're reasonably organised, messy play doesn't have to mean too much clearing up. I put a plastic cloth on the table and have a bowl of water in the sink ready to put stuff into and a cloth handy, pop an apron on and away we go.