If you’re looking for colorful messy play ideas, you’ve come to the right place! These rainbow messy play ideas definitely fit the bill. You’ll definitely want to incorporate them into your plans throughout the year.
Rainbows can be used to teach a variety of concepts, from creativity to math to science and more. Messy play can, too. So when you combine rainbows AND messy play, you have a hit on your hands. Both in terms of engagement, and in terms of learning.
Below, you’ll find rainbow-themed messy art and crafts, messy science, and messy sensory play. Woven into all the messy rainbow activities are chances to connect with your students as they play and learn.
Related: Spring Activities for Preschoolers
These colorful messy ideas can be used with children of various ages. Since you know the children in your care best, you can determine which activities are most appropriate for them. Your students’ ages, interests, and needs will all be factors in what you choose.
Rainbow Messy Play Ideas
Since I have over 25 ideas to share with you, I’ve broken things up into a couple of categories. That will help you find what you’re looking for a bit easier. Art and crafts are in one category, with science and sensory play in another. Of course, there’s some crossover between the two. But I did my best!
Since this is a collection of messy rainbow activities, there are multiple links below. The links are underlined, blue text. For more information about each of the ideas shared, click on the individual links. Be sure to save this post for future reference!
Materials for Your Colorful Messy Play
I recommend taking stock of the materials you already have on-hand. Then peruse the rainbow messy play ideas below and find some that coordinate with your supplies. Of course, if you’re looking for a reason to head to the craft store, pick something completely different!
Here are some of the supplies you might want for many of the rainbow activities (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):
- Liquid watercolors
- Shaving cream
- Pipettes
- Cotton balls
- Washable tempera paint
- Various types of dry pasta
- Popcorn kernels
- Whipped cream
- Food coloring
- Cardboard and paper
That’s not an exhaustive list, but it’s a good start. In fact, you’ll be able to try many of the activities on this list using those materials! Now let’s take a look at the messy rainbow fun!
Rainbow Messy Art and Crafts
Let’s start out with the creative rainbow messy play ideas! Well, there’s an element of creativity in ALL of the ideas below, but this section is for those who love art and crafts.
- Mixed-Up Chameleon Activity with cork-painted “scales”
Don’t forget to save this post! You never know when you’ll need a rainbow-inspired activity for the kids.
Messy Rainbow-Themed Science and Sensory Play
Now, let’s take a peek at some engaging rainbow messy play ideas that focus on science and sensory skills. Keep in mind, there’s some crossover between the categories. Science and sensory play can have just as much creativity involved as art and crafts!
- Corn Sensory Bin with RAINBOW corn, of course!
- Rainbow Science – See it in action:
- Rainbow Sensory Bin inspired by a favorite book
- Dancing Popcorn with a RAINBOW twist! You can see it in action here:
Now that you’ve checked out all of the rainbow messy play ideas, which activities are you planning to try? I’ve done many of them at home and in the classroom, but I have a few more earmarked to try soon.
More Rainbow Activities
If you and your students can’t get enough of the rainbows, here are a few more activities to try:
- Rainbow Rocks
- Magnetic Letter Rainbow
- Rainbow Sensory Bottles
- Pipe Cleaner Rainbow
- “I See a Rainbow” Book
- Rainbow Climb Language Activity
These aren’t necessarily rainbow MESSY play ideas, but they complement the activities I’ve shared above.
Rainbow Lesson Plans
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Our rainbow lesson plans would go well with the rainbow messy play ideas. The lesson plan pack comes with a weekly overview, detailed daily plans, whole group activities, small group lessons, center ideas, book suggestions, and related printables. Click on the image below to get your own:
You can also find us on Teachers Pay Teachers.
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