Messy Play

Every tea time bubba loves messing with his food so I decided to dedicate some time to messy play.
Last time we attempted painting for a handprint and footprint it was a nightmare as he just wanted to eat it and it itched like crazy on my skin.
This in mind I did some research into homemade messy play. I still can't believe the amount of things you can make. There really is no excuse not to do this kind of play using 'expense' as a barrier.


Why is play important
Play is an important part in a child's development. Messy play allows a child to explore their senses, develop co-ordination and introduces them to imagination ideas. 
The thing I like the most is that there is no right or wrong way to play!


Here are the recipes for the activities we tried.


Playdoh recipe
1 cup flour
1 cup water - with food colouring
1 tablespoon of oil.


Add flour to bowl and add oil and mix. Slowly add the water, till you make a dough consistency - should only need about 1/4 of the cup.
The oil makes it realy soft! Baby oil works as well and has a lovely smell!
You can also add flavouring you may find you need a bit more flour.
Keep it in the fridge in air tight container and will keep for about a week.


Bubba was not too keen on this! Did not like the texture and kept poking at it.

Finger Paint
1 cup Flour
1 cup cool water
3 cups boiling water
Food coloring.


Mix the flour and cool water in a cooking pot. Gradually pour in the boiling hot water. Place on stove, and continue to stir constantly until it comes to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in food coloring, and allow to cool. (If you would like to have multiple colors, separate the mix into different bowls before adding colors!)
Can be stored for one or two days in the refrigerator.
This "paint" is totally edible and therefore PERFECT for toddlers to finger paint with! Be aware however that food coloring can potentially stain. So dress appropriately!


I found this to be quite gloopy like wall paper paste and would have taken days to dry so I put in oven on slow cook for 20 mins to aid process.
This was by far the messiest and favourite

Cornflour
1 cup cornflower
1 cup of cold water


Mix together. You should be able to pick up the mixture and it will then run from your fingers. 
I didn't have cornflour so used custard powder


It took him a while to get use to this and fact I made it wrong first time didn't help once I got it right (bowl) he loved it

To finish off we got the washing up bowl and let him have a splash then plonked him in to clean as he played.

A fun morning with bubba, mummy and Grandma!

Go on get messy!!!