There was shaving foam in her hair. Porridge in her nappy. And something suspiciously green under my fingernail. But honestly? We both had the best time. Before I started Adventure Babies sessions, I thought messy play sounded a bit… stressful. All I could picture was chaos, stains, and a lot of laundry. But once I saw my baby light up as she squished, splatted, and explored her way through a story-led adventure—I totally got it. Turns out, the benefits of messy play for babies go far beyond the fun (and the fluff-covered floors). It’s actually one of the most powerful ways to support your baby’s development—from motor skills to language to confidence—all through joyful, sensory exploration.

The benefits of messy play for babies go far beyond the mess

Behind the fun and fluff, messy play supports:

🧠 Sensory development – Babies learn through touch, taste, sound and smell. Each tray of jelly, rice or foam helps them make sense of the world.
🖐️ Fine and gross motor skills – Scooping, squeezing, smearing—it’s all building the muscles and coordination they’ll later need for things like holding a pencil or feeding themselves.
🗣️ Language development – Every time you narrate what they’re doing (“Oooh, squishy mud!”), you’re boosting their understanding and vocabulary.
❤️ Confidence and curiosity – When babies are allowed to explore freely, they grow braver and more independent.

If you want to read more about why sensory play is so brilliant for babies, this guide from BBC Tiny Happy People explains the benefits really clearly.

But how does this link to books?

Because when messy play is built around a story—like we do at Adventure Babies—it becomes something even more powerful.

The week we read The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the tray was full of edible fruit mush. When we did We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, there were trays for squelchy mud and cold water. My baby wasn’t just listening to the story—she was living it. She was feeling the story, tasting it, crawling through it. And in that immersive, sensory way, she was falling in love with books without even knowing it.

Yes, it’s messy. But it’s magical too.

I’ve learned to bring a towel, a change of clothes, and to leave my expectations at the door. And I’ve never seen my baby more engaged, more smiley, or more exhausted by the end of a class.

So if you’re wondering whether to give messy play a go—especially the kind that ties into storytelling—do it. Trust me, the mess is worth it.

And if you’re ready to join the adventure?
📚 Book a summer special or autumn term class now—we’d love to welcome you and your little explorer.
👉 Book here