Messy play and food exploration
Overview
Food play is a great way to introduce new textures, sounds, smells, and tastes in a relaxed, low-pressure environment, away from meals. It can be quick and easy or involve a bit more preparation. Some parents find it useful to include messy play in activities like baking or small meal prep tasks, making it a fun part of their routine. It is important that it feels do-able so you can help your child meet new foods as often as possible. Always separate food play from non-food messy play to help your child understand what is edible and what is not safe to eat.
Simple actions like prodding, pouring, stirring, and squashing foods can lead to tasting and eventually eating. Start with what they are comfortable with and slowly move towards touching more challenging textures with fingertips or hands -always go at your child’s pace. Hands give huge amounts of information about what a food may feel like in the mouth and this can help a child feel more comfortable with the same textures when they are ready to taste it. You may need to start with tools that help them keep a safe distance, like spoons and tongs or exploring a food inside a ‘ziplock’ bag.
Progression might happen quickly or take some time, so be patient and only provide safe-to-eat foods. Match activities with your child's development, interests and skill level and join in to make it a shared experience. Keep play short, relaxed, and fun. Mess is a key part of learning, but it’s important to manage this in a way that does not create distress. It is also useful to be aware of your own sensory preferences and triggers. When your child puts edible food to their lips during play, let them explore at their own pace. Play should feel safe and enjoyable for both of you. For ideas on non-food messy play see here. Indoor and outdoor activities can offer rich sensory messy play experiences.
Closely monitor activities that might pose a choking hazard if your child tends to mouth non-food items. If you are including smaller toys or tools in your play, make sure these are robust and not small enough to be swallowed. Sensory chew tools are another item you might want to try in food play. If your child frequently eats non-food items, check with your health provider to ensure your child is getting all necessary nutrients.
When they are ready, exploring food textures with hands can help children feel more comfortable with these textures on their tongue later on. Use only taste-safe foods for messy play, and make sure they are safe and appropriate for your child to lick, bite, chew, or swallow if they choose to explore these with their mouth.
Key messages
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