MESSY PLAY MADE EASY
DOES MESS MAKE YOU ANXIOUS?
If dirt and mess are an obstacle for you when approaching nature play with your children, check out these hot tips for messy play made easy.
We know kids love mud.
We know kids love mess.
We know they NEED messy play.
But the problem with messy play is… well, it’s messy!
And while it’s heaps of fun for kids, it’s not so much fun for you when you’re the one who has to clean up afterwards.
A study from the UK in 2020 showed that nearly one in five parents avoid ‘messy play’ with their kids because they can’t deal with the chaos.
In fact, one-fifth of parents admitted that seeing their children getting dirty made them anxious.
We know it can be cringe and we know there are already piles of laundry demanding your attention at home, but messy experiences are a crucial part of children’s growth and development.
the MAGIC OF MUD
Mud play has significant benefits for children:
Mood-boosting mud: soil bacteria has been shown to stimulate the immune system and release serotonin, which regulates mood
Physical benefits: the incidental movement of playing in mud helps to develop kids’ physical literacy, including fine and gross motor skills, sensory awareness, balance and coordination
Adventure and discovery: when kids slosh and squelch in mud, they challenge themselves and expand their experiences of the world, plus it builds a positive attitude towards adventure
Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods
“Nature-deficit disorder contributes to a diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, conditions of obesity, and higher rates of emotional and physical illnesses.”
NATURE-DEFICIT DISORDER
Is your aversion to mess preventing your child from exploring the world around them?
If so, it’s worth considering the vital role nature connection plays in your child’s growth and development.
Richard Louv coined the term ‘nature-deficit disorder’ in 2005 to describe the human costs of alienation from nature. He found that Vitamin N – Nature – is an essential ingredient of human health and wellbeing.
“Nature-deficit disorder contributes to a diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, conditions of obesity, and higher rates of emotional and physical illnesses. Research also suggests that the nature-deficit weakens ecological literacy and stewardship of the natural world. These problems are linked more broadly to what health care experts call the “epidemic of inactivity,” and to a devaluing of independent play.” (Children & Nature Network 2019)
It comes back to that age-old truth… children need nature. And they don’t just need nature, they need space to explore and the freedom to lead their own play. And that means they’re going to get dirty.
But muddy kids grow up to be adults who know the value of the natural world. They become people who have the ability to regulate their bodies and emotions through connection with the natural world.
On that note, it would probably do adults a lot of good to get muddy as well!
Kids love it when we join in with messy play. It validates their experiences and gives them the opportunity to lead the play, plus it’s a fantastic bonding activity.\
COMBAT MESSINESS WITH PREPARATION
If you know that muddy play is important for your little Wildling but you just can’t get past the mess, then check out these hot tips.
Keep old clothes for messy play: don’t put your kid in brand new clothes and reprimand them for getting their clothes dirty. CHILDREN ARE NATURALLY MESSY.
Kids physically hold themselves back from fully experiencing forest school because they’re scared of what their Mum will say if they get their shoes wet or their pants muddy. Instead, they spend the session sitting on the shore, missing out on the messy, muddy experiences on offer. Why? BECAUSE OF THEIR PARENT’S FEARS ABOUT MESS. It breaks our hearts and it’s not fair on kids.
Dress them in old clothes and set aside designated mud gear so kids can embrace the messy side of life guilt-free.
Shoes, shoes, shoes... We have kids come along to holiday programs with three pairs of spare clothes and one brand-new pair of sneakers, and then they don’t play for fear of getting their new shoes dirty. Don’t send them out to play with a $200 pair of shoes.
Grab a $5 pair of sneakers from K-mart or a second-hand pair from the op-shop just for muddy play. Or put them in water shoes or strap-on sandals. Thongs are unsuitable because they just fall off.
Pack a spare pair of clothes… or three. Look, it’s going to happen. They’re going to get cold and wet and hungry and say they’re done being messy, and after a snack they’re going to go back in the mud. We all know it’s true.
So don’t get frustrated when it happens, and just pack a pair of spare clothes. Or three.
Wet bags are a parent’s best friend! When the messy play is over, chuck the muddy clothes in a wet bag and don’t worry about it spreading through the car (which is probably messy enough already from snacks on-the-go). Drop it straight in the laundry when you get home, until you’re ready to deal with the mess.
Hose them down! Got some mud monsters threatening to wreak havoc inside the car or house? Line em up, grab the garden hose, and let rip (preferably not on the highest pressure… although they might enjoy dodging the water and make a new game!).
GETTING CLEAN CAN BE JUST AS MUCH FUN AS GETTING MESSY. Alternatively, use a cup or bucket to rinse down using a tap in the park, or send then into the creek to rinse off before you hop in the car.
We hope these tips help you feel better prepared to handle messy play and manage those mud monsters.
There are so many benefits to embracing the messy side of life.
Instead of feeling anxious when it happens, be prepared and smile the next time your Wildlings get muddy.
After all, they’re just being kids.
If this was helpful for you, share it with a friend! And make sure you subscribe to our mailing list for more helpful tips on risky play and how it can benefit your children.
Also, if you need a little encouragement and support on your journey with messy play, book into one of our programs and join a community of like-minded families putting the dirt back into childhood. Spaces are available in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast here https://www.wildlingsforestschool.com/bookings.
Written by Ellen Nesbitt. Ellen is a nature play advocate and creative writer with a passion for helping families connect with the outdoors. She is dedicated to exploring ways to nurture children's creativity, independence, wellbeing and love for nature.