🛟 Parent SOS: I’m overwhelmed by messy play!
You asked, Nicole the OT answered!
📨 Dear Nicole,
I know that messy sensory play is helpful for my child, and they absolutely love it. But the sight of my child’s hands covered in slime makes my heart race with stress. And on top of that, I feel like I’m not at a place where I can handle the mess or the clean up right now. This is all too much. How can I handle this?
How can I support my child’s sensory exploration if it causes me to feel overstimulated or overwhelmed?
Sincerely,
Parent In Need of a Mop
My Response:
As a parent, you may find yourself feeling overwhelmed when your child is excited about messy play. You want to support your child, but the mess, the sensory overload, and the cleanup can make it feel like too much. Here are some things I’ve found helpful when working with families who feel the same way:
1. Remember: your sensory needs matter: As a parent, it’s so helpful to model advocating for your own sensory needs. Every body is different, and your comfort is just as important as your child’s. You can validate your child’s sensory needs while also setting limits that honor your own. Both can be true!
2. Explore options that minimize the mess, clean up, and sensory input for you: As an OT, I am always searching for toys and tools that have a variety of textures for the child to feel and touch, without leaving a slimy, greasy, or messy residue behind (or becoming a part of the couch fabric or carpet). Here are some options for minimal mess messy play that can still support your child’s sensory needs:
💧 Water Play
Plain water or water with ice cubes is more simple and easier to clean. Try water with a paintbrush!
Pools, beaches, or even bathtubs provide tactile exploration with minimal cleanup.
🧸 Tactile Toys
Stuffed animals and beanbags can offer regulating tactile input. Kids can press, tap, or crawl over them to explore different textures.
Easter grass (plastic or paper) provides scratchy tactile input and a fine motor challenge without leaving a messy residue behind.
🦶 Barefoot Play and Sensory Paths
Sensory input doesn’t have to involve hands or mess!
Encourage stepping on different textures: pillows, beanbags, yoga mats, or acupressure mats.
Consider creating an obstacle course for a fun, full-body sensory experience.
🧣 Fabrics and Textured Materials
Scarves, blankets, pillows, and other textured fabrics provide safe, non-messy tactile experiences.
🌳 Outdoor Exploration
Nature is full of sensory opportunities! Grassy parks, nature playgrounds, and beaches let kids explore textures and movement without dirtying your home
3. Plan ahead: If you’re able to, try to plan ahead and set reachable limits. One option is to communicate with an OT to explore different sensory play strategies that work for everyone in your family. Some parents benefit from designating messy play to a different person or location. For example, messy play could happen with grandma at the pool, with the OT during sessions, or in the sandbox at preschool. (These options aren’t available to everyone, but if they are for you, they may be helpful!)
I hope this helps! Let me know if you give any of these a try, or if you have another idea that works for you and your family! I’m always searching for ways to support my OT families.
With Care,
Nicole Raisin, OTR/L