Continued...
Unleash creativity.
Messy play allows children to express themselves in ways they don’t normally get to. Think color mixing, designing, building, squishing, painting, pretend worlds – there are so many possibilities. Here are some messy, creative play ideas:
- Dump a pile of building blocks and see what they can create.
- Use toothpicks and gumdrops or miniature marshmallows to create awesome structures.
- Create cool ice sculptures.
- Make this scented finger paint.
- This sticky mud can be the scene of all sorts of imaginative play!
Calm anxious kids.
Some messy play activities can calm anxiety and reduce stress. Try the following activities with your anxious child.
- Create a playdough sensory box. The feel of playdough is calming, and shaping it focuses the mind and helps calm anxiety.
- Build a Lego fidget spinner.
- Give your child a tray or bowl of rice with a few scoopers, spoons, and cups for transferring and pouring. You can even scent the rice with a drop of pure lavender essential oil for a more calming effect.
- Make your own Lego fidget cube.
- Let your child make his or her own glitter calming jar.
Rebecca Eanes is the bestselling author of multiple books including Positive Parenting: An Essential Guide, The Positive Parenting Workbook, and The Gift of a Happy Mother. She is the grateful mom of two boys.
