Messy Play

[bride2b]

My child does not attend nursery yet (16 months) but I would like to recreate some of the experiences that children at nursery have. Please could you give me some ideas for messy play and any other activities that your child does at nursery. Thanks.

Hi, my dd is 3 (nearly 4)and has been at nursery since age 2. They (she loves) playing with water; fill a large bucket with warm water and washing up liquid and blow at each other; get a plant pot and some paint brushes and paint the patio, play-do, painting (hand painting and feet painting. xx

play dough - you can make your own (there;s probably a recipe on here somewhere)

cornflour - mix some up with some water, it has a really odd texture and will keep little ones happy for ages

I've known nurseries make up mashed potato or chocolate mousse and sit the child in it so they get really messy but they like the different textures.

paint - finger painting, foot painting, hand painting - all very messy but lots of fun.

Moon sand - you have to buy it, I don't know of any way to make it but that can be quite good.

Sand - you can buy play sand from toys r us or early learning centres etc.

water - put some in a baby bath and let him play (obviously he has to be supervised at all times when playing with water)

umm... will try to think of some more

Cornflour mixed with water (can't remember proportions, but makes a very gloopy and sticky white mix)

Water tray - various pots and jugs in it, to pour into each other

Sand tray - even better when have cars, trucks etc in it too or small plastic animals

Blowing wet paint on paper

Something else was to mix paint and water, blow lots of bubbles in it and then sticking a blank piece of paper over pot (should then make a pretty design on paper). if that makes sense?

Also usual - play dough, paint, sticking, sticking / sellotaping cardboard boxes etc etc

Mister Maker is also quite good for giving ideas

DD has really enjoyed playing with different kinds of food- a tray of custard, porridge or dry cereal like rice crispies (best done after meal times though!)

Make up some cous-cous with different coloured food dyes.

Painting- she loves doing handprints. Or footprints on an old sheet in the garden.

Cooking is a great one for getting messy- esp making biscuits as it's good cutting the shapes out. Have just started to get DD to stand on a chair and 'help' with the washing up- almost as much fun as the cooking!