How to incorporate sensory and messy play into daily life

We’ve all heard about the benefits and importance of sensory and messy play. But how can we integrate it into our daily routine so that children can benefit while having fun? The following practical tips will help you introduce sensory and messy play into your home, making it part of your everyday routine in a safe and enjoyable way.

General Suggestions and Key Points for Preparation

• Dedicate Time and Space: Set aside specific time during the week for free sensory play. Choose a space where the child can get messy without worry—ideally an outdoor area (garden, balcony) or, if inside, lay down a plastic tablecloth, newspapers, or an old sheet for protection. This way, you won’t stress about any mess, and the child will feel free to explore.
• Dress Appropriately: Dress the child in clothes that you're not concerned about getting dirty (e.g., old t-shirts) or an art apron. The comfort of knowing “I can get dirty” helps the child engage in play without stress. It’s also a good idea for parents to wear casual clothes when participating, so they don’t unintentionally transmit the concern of “be careful not to get dirty.”
• Prepare Basic Cleaning Supplies: Keep wet wipes, a damp towel, or a basin of water and soap nearby for quick hand cleaning if needed. Also, have the cleaning area ready for easy cleanup afterward: a small broom for sand/rice, a mop for liquids, etc. When parents know cleaning will be easy, they can relax and enjoy the process more.
• Choose Safe Materials: Make sure the materials are safe for the child’s age. For babies who put everything in their mouths, opt for edible materials (e.g., yogurt-based edible paint and food coloring, boiled pasta with some oil instead of raw ingredients). Avoid small items that may pose a choking hazard. For older children, you can provide more material options but always check they are non-toxic.
• Set Basic Safety Rules: Explain clearly to the child what is and isn’t allowed to keep play safe. For example, “Don’t put the paint in your mouth,” or “The sand stays in the bucket, not in our eyes.” Keep the rules few and clear so that the freedom of play isn’t overly restricted.
• Let the Child Lead (Child-led Play): In sensory play, the best guide is the child. Allow them to decide how to use the materials. Avoid showing them “how to do it right”—there’s no right way. For instance, if the child wants to mix all the colors and create a brown sludge, let them, even if the aesthetic result doesn’t make sense to you. This autonomy fosters their creativity and self-confidence.
• Participate Discreetly and Ask Questions: Join in if the child wants you to—sit with them and put your hands in the sand or draw alongside them. Follow their lead. Ask open-ended questions: “What are you making there?”, “How does this feel?”, “What do you think will happen if…?”. This shows interest, enriches vocabulary, and encourages the child to express themselves without directing the play.
• Incorporate it into the Daily Routine: Sensory play doesn’t have to be something that happens rarely or only in organized activities. Find small opportunities every day: during bath time, let the child play a bit longer with water and plastic toys (water play); during meals, allow them to touch different textures of food (baby-led weaning, e.g., fruit chunks); at the park, let them play with dirt or collect leaves. Sensory play can be part of daily life effortlessly.
• Respect the Child’s Preferences: Some children love getting messy, while others are more hesitant about getting dirty or trying new textures. If your child hesitates, don’t pressure them. They might start by playing with gloves or using tools (e.g., a spoon to scoop foam instead of their hands). Gradually, as they feel more comfortable, they may try more. What matters is that they feel safe and understood.
• Involve the Child in Cleanup: Turn the end of play into part of the experience. Ask the child to help gather the materials (“let’s put the beans back in the box”) or clean up together (older children can sweep with a broom, wipe the table with a sponge, etc.). This teaches responsibility and shows the child that the process is complete, without making them feel like they’re being “scolded” for making a mess.

Materials and Tools You Can Use

You don’t need expensive equipment for sensory and messy play—many materials are already at home or in nature. Here’s a list of different categories of materials and tools suitable for sensory play:

• Water and Water Materials: Water (at different temperatures for hot/cold sensations), ice cubes, shaving foam, soap bubbles, watercolors, water hoses (in the garden), small pools or containers for water, spray bottles, buckets, and small cups.
• Touch Materials and Textures: Sand, dirt, mud, gravel, pebbles, leaves, pinecones, shells, as well as everyday items like rice, lentils, beans, pasta (raw or cooked), flour, corn starch (which turns into “gooey water” when mixed with some water), gelatin, cotton, fabric, pipe cleaners, straw.
• Art Materials (Non-toxic): Finger paints, watercolors, tempera paints, chalks, crayons (for melting with supervision), glues, glitter glue, markers (for body painting, special ones for kids), play dough, clay, slime (either bought or homemade), pencil shavings.
• Edible Materials: For safe messy play, especially with young children: fruit puree (e.g., apple) for “painting” on a food tray, yogurt, flour, semolina or oats mixed with some water (they form a dough-like texture), food coloring mixed with water or milk, powdered sugar and water (for frosting cookies).
• Tools and Objects: Spoons, teaspoons, ladles, funnels, strainers, small cups, straws, sponges, brushes, spatulas, plastic gardening tools (shovels, rakes), molds (baking molds, cookie cutters), small plastic animals or figures (for playing in materials), toy cars (for racing in paint or sand), building blocks, fabric of different types, ribbons, bells, musical instruments (tambourine, maracas) for auditory play, mirrors (for visual exploration), flashlights, and lights for light-shadow play.
• Natural Materials: Leaves and flowers from the garden, combined with a little water, can turn into a “soup” in play. Remember that nature is a great ally in sensory play—parks, beaches, and forests offer countless materials (just make sure to supervise and avoid dangerous items being put in the mouth).
  Sensory and messy play is not just another type of play—it’s a valuable opportunity for learning, connection, and joy, right in your own home. With simple materials, a little imagination, and plenty of enthusiasm, we can offer our children meaningful moments where they will learn through exploration, express their emotions, and develop important life skills.

There’s no need for perfectly prepared spaces or specialized materials. What matters most is the intention: to follow the child with confidence, to let them get dirty, experiment, and feel free. The more relaxed and open we adults are, the more authentic and beneficial the experience becomes for the child.

Embrace the “creative mess,” spend a little time preparing, and enjoy the small wonders that emerge from play. Through sensory and messy play, not only is the child’s development nurtured, but the relationship between you and your child is deepened in a meaningful and emotional way.

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