#MessyPlay - Rice And Oats Edible Play

Time is something really lacking in my life at the moment. Hectic is an understatement.

I couldn't join in with Jennie's lovely linky last week as we just didn't have a moment to organise some messy play and it's really been getting to me. My first messy play involved Mini Cheddar whilst her baby brother slept. I really wanted to involve him this time and so today, while his big sister was out with my parents, I made sure I had a day just dedicated to spending quality time with my gorgeous little man. Something I haven't had chance to do that much of late.

We've been having a lovely day.

We spent the first part of the morning leisurely eating toast and playing, then we practised his standing and walking with the help of his micro scooter and then I decided to get the Tuff Spot out whilst he had a little nap so it was ready for him when he woke.

I wanted to do something fairly easy as his first experience so when he woke I got some flavoured porridge oats that I had in the cupboard and put some of them in the Tuff Spot.

He was a bit reluctant at first...

But then he dived in and there was no stopping him. He loved raking the rice and oats with his hands and feet, making patterns. He loved picking the oats up and letting it fall onto his legs - he also loved eating it! I then added some paella rice I had left over and added them to the oats.

I then slowly poured the rest of the rice into the Tuff Spot. TC loved watching the rice fall and also loved trying to catch it. He got the small cup bath toys that I had added to the play and tried to catch the rice and he also started talking and saying "Ta" to hand them to me to help him.

He then grabbed the bag of rice off me and proceeded to shake it about to get the rest of the rice out. The result was bits of paella rice flying EVERYWHERE and his laughing so much. He thought it was hilarious.

He was cleaned off with a dust down and a vest and nappy change (ready for a bath later tonight) and he even smelled of apples from the flavoured porridge oats! I scooped the rice and oats into an airtight container to use again for more messy play and then I got the vacuum cleaner out to sort the rest.

The result - one very happy baby.

This was only the second messy play we've done but it just shows how simple it can be to give your children great play activities. I'm excited for the summer and some outdoors messy play!

Now head over to Jennie's blog and check out some amazing ideas.