What's not to love about messy play? It offers a great hands-on way to teach kids creativity, encourage scientific thinking, develop motor skills, build language, and provide sensory stimuli. Read on for 12 ways to play messy with your little ones...

Reminder: Small materials can be a choking hazard for young children, so close adult supervision is a must.

For Babies

1. Edible Slime

All you need is cornstarch and water to make this messy, baby-safe slime! 

2. Jello Squeeze

Let baby squish, squeeze, and taste this messy tray full of Jello. 

3. DIY Finger Paints

Mix together yogurt and a few drops of food coloring for a finger paint recipe that doubles as a yummy snack! 

4. Noodle Tub

Place baby in a plastic tub of noodles, she's love using all her senses to explore. 

5. Spiky Ball Painting

Coat a toy ball in paint, then let baby roll it around to discover what patterns it can make. 

6. Water Play

Fill a cookie sheet with a bit of water, then let baby splash around! Add bath time toys for extra fun, but make sure to maintain adult supervision at all times.

For Toddlers

7. Splat Painting

What could be more fun than splatting paint? 

8. Bubble Wrap Roller

Kids can get totally hands-on with this bubble wrap rolling pin activity. 

9. Rainbow Clouds

Did you know that you can make a cloud out of a bar of soap? 

10. Car Painting

Kids can use toy cars to mix colors and paint, then give them a "carwash" once they're finished! 

11. Sand Foam

This super-simple fluffy sand foam only requires two ingredients. Can you guess what they are? 

12. Feet Painting

Roll out a sheet of butcher paper and let your kids stomp and stamp their feet with paint to create giant piece of art.