The tactile sense, or the sense of touch, is one of the five primary senses. Our skin is the means by which we use our tactile sense. It helps us to perceive various sensations such as pressure, vibration, smoothness, roughness, heat, cold, and pain. The tactile sense plays an important role in helping to navigate and understand our physical surroundings, to help with safety awareness, and to provide pleasing sensations.
Some kiddos may show tactile defensiveness demonstrating negative responses to various tactile input. They may be sensitive to or uncomfortable with tactile input, or avoid it altogether. Messy play can be incorporated to help with tactile defensiveness by slowly and gently introducing different textures and sensations to potentially lessen the defensiveness over time.
Messy play is designed to engage a child’s senses. Not only does it address the tactile sense, it is also a benefit in other areas. Messy play helps kids to explore and understand the world around them and encourages creativity and imagination. It can improve gross and fine motor skills. It can foster cognitive development through experimental learning, and can provide opportunities for social and emotional growth. Following are some fun messy play activities to engage in.
Fun Tactile/Messy Play Activities
Finger paint: Let kids be creative experiencing the sensation of paint on their hands. Though it says finger paint, use the feet too! Non-toxic and washable paints may be the best.
Play-Doh or clay: Kids can develop fine motor skills as they squish, squeeze, roll, and shape the dough or clay. Make it functional and use forks, knives, and spoons to cut stab or scoop the dough.
Water play: Use small containers, large bins, or play in a kiddie pool! This can involve using small cups funnels, scoops, or ladles. Use your imagination! Add toys, bubbles, or colored dye to change it up.
Sand play: Provide a sandbox, put sand in bins, or use a kiddie pool. Kids can dig, build, and make designs. Add some water to change up the consistency.
Dry rice or beans: Fill containers with either of these items. Hide toys, letters, or any small manipulative for kids to find and sort. Work on stereognosis which is the ability to identify common objects using the sense of touch without using the eyes. This can be incorporating into the other play methods as well.
Water beads: Get a bunch of water beads, or Orbeez, and fill a container or bin. Hide various items to find. Use scoops, funnels and spoons. Engage with this medium like the sand, rice, and beans.
Slime or goo: There are many recipes available online to make slime or goo. Work on following instructions and sequencing through the steps to make this fun and unique texture.
Jelly or Pudding play: Playing with these squishy food items can be fun and interesting. The bonus is that it is edible and safe as long as there are no allergies. Experiment with different foods to get messy with.
Shaving cream: It is soft and malleable and a little can go a long way. Add baking soda or white glue to change the consistency. Add colored dye to change the visual stimulus.
Spaghetti play: Cooked spaghetti can provide an interesting texture to explore. Use any type of cooked pasta. Add food dye to change the color.
Mud and dirt play: Have kids make mud pies. Have them help in the yard or garden. Let them explore the sensation of mud between their fingers and/or toes.
You may find that some of the tactile play activities may have a calming or alerting affect, so be aware of how your kiddo responds. If it’s alerting, you may have to pull back and ease into it with shorter bouts. If it is calming, it may be a good activity to help regulate the body when feeling overwhelmed or anxious.
There are so many ways you can incorporate messy play and make it fun. Take these ideas and add your own twist. Experiment and try combining different tactile medium. Make it functional or academic by incorporating words and letters. From a safety standpoint, make sure materials are safe and non-toxic. Even though it’s called “messy play,” don’t forget to supervise and help your kiddo understand that “clean-up” is part of the process.
I know that it can be difficult sometimes allowing or letting “messes” happen, but we have to remember that messy play is important to help develop the tactile sense. It also allows you time to bond and connect with your kiddo if you play along side them. You can do it! It’s all in the preparation! Just set aside an area to play in, go outside if you can, put down a tarp, towel or blanket, then have fun, and get messy!
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