Messy play is one of the best ways for babies to explore the world around them. It’s fun, engaging, and—most importantly—beneficial for their development. Through sensory experiences, babies build fine motor skills, develop curiosity, and enhance cognitive growth.
If you’re looking for exciting and safe messy play activities that will keep your little one entertained while supporting their learning, here are eight ideas you need to try out today!
1. Edible Finger Painting
Let’s face it—babies put everything in their mouths! That’s why using edible paints is the perfect way to introduce them to messy art without the worry.
How to do it:
- Mix yogurt with food colouring or use natural alternatives like mashed berries or turmeric.
- Spread it out on a tray, highchair, or large sheet of paper, and let your baby explore with their hands.
👉 Skills developed: Fine motor skills, creativity, and colour recognition.
2. Spaghetti Sensory Play
Cooked spaghetti is a wonderfully squishy material that babies love to grab, squeeze, and throw!
How to do it:
- Cook and cool plain spaghetti.
- Separate into bowls and add a few drops of food colouring to create a rainbow effect.
- Let your baby explore the different textures by squishing, pulling, and sorting.
👉 Skills developed: Tactile exploration, hand-eye coordination, and cause-and-effect understanding.
3. Jelly Treasure Hunt
Jelly is wobbly, squishy, and so much fun for little hands to explore!
How to do it:
- Make a batch of jelly and hide baby-safe toys inside.
- Once set, let your baby dig, scoop, and squish the jelly to uncover the surprises.
👉 Skills developed: Sensory awareness, problem-solving, and object permanence.
4. Cloud Dough Play
Cloud dough is a soft, mouldable material that’s easy to make at home and perfect for messy fun.
How to do it:
- Mix 2 cups of flour with ½ cup of vegetable oil until it has a soft, crumbly texture.
- Give your baby scoops, spoons, or cups to explore the texture.
👉 Skills developed: Tactile play, grasping skills, and imaginative play.
5. Mud Kitchen Fun (Edible Version!)
Babies love playing with mud, but if you want a taste-safe version, try using cocoa powder instead!
How to do it:
- Mix cocoa powder with water to create ‘mud’.
- Provide pots, spoons, and bowls for scooping and pouring.
- Add items like cereal "rocks" or dried pasta "worms" for added fun!
👉 Skills developed: Motor coordination, imaginative play, and sensory exploration.
6. Water Play with Cornflour Goo
Cornflour mixed with water creates a fascinating oobleck texture—solid when pressed but liquid when relaxed.
How to do it:
- Mix 1 cup of cornflour with ½ cup of water.
- Add a few drops of food colouring for extra fun.
- Let your baby splash, squeeze, and explore the texture.
👉 Skills developed: Cause-and-effect learning, sensory processing, and hand strength.
7. Ice Cube Sensory Play
Cold and slippery ice cubes provide a unique temperature-based sensory experience for babies.
How to do it:
- Freeze coloured water or fruit puree into ice cube trays.
- Place the ice cubes in a shallow tray or highchair for safe exploration.
- Watch as your baby grabs, licks, and slides the ice around.
👉 Skills developed: Temperature awareness, motor coordination, and colour recognition.
8. Rice or Cereal Digging
For a taste-safe alternative to sand, use dry cereal or uncooked rice for a fun digging and scooping activity.
How to do it:
- Fill a shallow container with baby-friendly rice puffs, crushed biscuits, or oats.
- Hide baby-safe toys inside for them to discover.
- Give them cups or spoons to scoop and pour.
👉 Skills developed: Sensory play, grasping skills, and problem-solving.
Top Tips for Messy Play Success
💡 Use a messy mat or old sheets to protect floors and furniture.
💡 Dress your baby in old clothes (or let them go nappy-only!).
💡 Always supervise messy play activities to ensure safety.
💡 Encourage exploration—there’s no right or wrong way to play!
Final Thoughts
Messy play is a fantastic way to engage your baby’s senses, boost creativity, and support early development. The best part? These activities are simple, affordable, and so much fun for both baby and parent!