Messy Play for Older Infants and Toddlers

Recently, I posted about Everett and his cousin, Ryan, getting their fill of messy play with some overcooked barley. I am continuing to use our sensory bin more, and took out an old cannister of dry noodles and beans from our art room and poured it into our bin.

This time, Kellan joined Everett in this (less) messy sensory experience. Older infants and toddlers benefit just as much to this style of play. 

 They get to explore new textures, objects and colors....

It helps develop motor skills...

It allows them to play uninhibitedly in a safe space...

I came across a very informing article about the importance of messy play for preschoolers you should check out. It looks like a great blog, in general, actually. Might want to stick around and check it out, too- Not Just Cute.

And, here are some more items for a sensory bin...

• cooked noodles or grains
• colored noodles of different shapes
• cotton balls, pom poms 
• dry cereal, oatmeal
• packing peanuts
• easter grass, shredded paper
• yarn, ribbon
• feathers
• seashells, rocks
• sticks, tree seeds, natural objects
• fake flowers and grass
• sand, pea gravel 
• water, ice, snow
• whipped cream, shaving cream
• jello
• mashed potatoes
• tubes of toothpaste and tooth brushes
• pudding, yogurt
• playdough, clay, floam, goop

And some tools or toys...

• plastic utensils of various sizes
• ladel
• measuring cups/spoons
• funnel
• shovels
• sifters
• wash cloths
• basters, pipettes
• cups, bowls
• potato masher
• playdough tools
• strainer
• sand/playdough molds
• egg beater
• little people or animals
• "dinosaur bones" (clean chicken bones)
• tubes
• toy cars