5 Great creative activities that are ‘messy free’
Messy activities are great for children to participate in and support their creative development through their senses; however not all children enjoy the ‘messy’ experience. This can cause difficulty in all children accessing fun and interesting creative activities.
Here are 5 top creativity activities minus the mess;
Table top painting
Table top painting can be a lovely way for the children to access paint in a sensory way without having to get messy. Simple cover the table in cling film and add some different coloured splodges of paint then cover in cling film again ensuring all edges are sealed. The children can then use their fingers to push the paint across the surface under the cling film, making patterns in the paint. Once finished the member of staff could remove the film and press paper onto the patterns, allowing the children to keep their art work.
Marble art
Using marbles is a great way to make marks using paint without having to handle the liquid with your hands. Using a low tray or box, place a piece of paper in the bottom and add a couple of small paint splodges, finally dropping some marbles in to the box. The children can hold the tray and move the marbles across the paper watching the marks appear as the balls roll through the paint. This can also be done using a can or a pringles tube by rolling the paper up and placing in inside the tube.
Sensory paint bags
This is another way the children can feel the paint without getting messy. Simply add some paint and glitter to a clear freezer bag and seal the edges. The children will be able to push the paint round the bag with their fingers. You can add a range of materials such as small sequins, oil, small world animals etc to make the bags themed.
Pencil rubbings
Pencil rubbings are a fun way to use coloured pencils in an alternative way to drawing. Encourage the children to access the outdoor area and find different textures in the environment. They can rest the paper up against the texture and gently rub their pencils over the paper to see what marks appear. Tree trunks, leaves, stones, soft pore flooring, grass and concrete slabs all provide different textures and can give the children different marks.
Felt shapes
Felt is a great way for the children to be creative without the mess. Simply cut lots of different shapes out of coloured felt and ask the children to create a picture using the shapes. Encourage the children to talk about the shapes they are using and what pictures they can create.