Getting messy

Add to My Folder

By Gillian Ravenscroft

The ‘Messy Tray’ station is an established area of many an EYFS classroom. As such, ideas for messy activities have developed and evolved over the years, resulting in extensive lists of suitable products, materials and tools. The challenge for all EYFS practitioners however, is to incorporate the explorative aspects of messy play with activities that drive learning forward.

Plan to provide ‘messy tray’ opportunities that are engaging, challenging and will support children’s development towards their Early Learning Goals. Whatever materials you choose to use, always check first for allergies amongst children in your class and ensure you select only safe, suitable products – adhering to safety guidelines and relevant risk assessments. Organisations such as the CLEAPSS advisory service (Consortium of Local Education Authorities for the Provision of Science Services) can provide advice on health and safety including model risk assessments; chemicals, living organisms, equipment and sources of resources.

Sensory explorations

Messy trays make an ideal environment in which to make a range of sensory explorations: from the feel of cooked spaghetti and custard to the smell of tea leaves and soap bubbles.

Glittery ice cubes
This activity requires some advance preparation. You will need ice cube trays, glitter, a variety of food colourings and tools such as tweezers and spoons.

Fill each ice cube tray with different coloured water before sprinkling glitter over the top.
Place the trays in a freezer and leave overnight.
Tip the prepared glitter cubes into a messy tray and encourage children to explore using tweezers and spoons as well as their hands.
This activity provides great opportunities to talk about texture, shape and colour – as well as temperature, melting and freezing – and will obviously last longer in a cooler environment!
Provide children with empty bun trays and suggest that they place different coloured ice cubes inside these to make simple repeating patterns.