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Hands On As We Grow

Independent Kid Play -- 🚫NO MESS 🙅‍♀️

Published about 1 month ago • 2 min read

Hi Reader -

How was your week? Need some super simple play activities? (click here for examples)

It sometimes goes a long, long time between certain types of activities --- like the sensory type because of our own aversion to the mess it can make - until you remember how much the kids really love it -- and it can bring hours of independent play.

However.... independent play can be sooooo messy.

Even the 'tame' ones can get incredibly messy still.

So I have a few tips:

  • Take it outside. Yeah. It's always my tip for anyone, and myself, when I don't want to make a mess.
  • Put down a shower curtain, or just a large towel or blanket and play on that.
  • Use a plastic tub to contain the mess. Even double up -- put the plastic tub on the shower curtain.
  • Have the kids create without clothes - strip 'em down. Please don't snap photos of bare bottoms & share them on the internet though ;)
  • Do it just before bath time - and make cleanup super easy - just bring all the stuff in the bath with you!

(See 10 Ways to Keep Messy Play Clean for more tips.)

Okay... that's about it for tips - but what about some independent play projects that just aren't that messy?

Do you let the potential of a mess stop you in your tracks and NOT do the activity?

Reply and let me know how you feel about the messes that come with activities.

~ Jamie
​Hands On As We Grow®​
​Engaging our kids with simple, fun activities, every day.

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P.S. You can join The Activity Room -- do you know what it's about? Click here learn more!​

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"I renewed my subscription a couple of months ago, and continue to reference you for my great ideas. Now when I say 'Jamie suggested this...or Jamie says that', everyone knows who I'm talking about. You have become such a part of our family - you're welcome to come to our Christmas dinner!! A Pop-Pop making the most of his time with the grandkids..."
— Ron Geib, Member of The Activity Room

Top Physical Activities for Toddlers!

Get moving with simple physical activities toddlers really love that double as easy ways to build gross motor skills through play!

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More on Hands On As We Grow:

​Try this Cotton Ball Transfer Challenge​

​Upcycled Christmas Tree Craft​

​Favorite Color Activity for Preschoolers & Toddlers ​

​Shredded Paper Snowman Sensory Bin​
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Hands On As We Grow

Engaging our kids with simple, fun activities, every day.

Hands On As We Grow has activities, crafts and art projects for kids up to school age, and even into their beginning years of school. You’ll find fun things to do with them, crafty ideas, and easy ways to make learning fun.

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