The Power of Play: Why Sensory Exploration Shouldn’t Stop at Pre-School
When we think of messy and sensory play, we often associate it with pre-schoolers—little hands squishing playdough, swirling paint, and running fingers through trays of coloured rice. But why should the joy of hands-on, exploratory play stop once children start school?
As someone who runs an art club, I see time and time again how older children light up when they’re given the freedom to get messy again. There’s an unmistakable joy in going back to basics—rolling out Play-Doh, sifting coloured sand, or just getting stuck into a project where there’s no right or wrong answer. Yet, in schools, opportunities for this kind of open-ended, sensory-rich play are becoming increasingly rare.
The Value of Sensory Play Beyond Early Years
Sensory play isn’t just about having fun—it’s a crucial part of learning and development at any age. It engages multiple senses, strengthens fine motor skills, and encourages problem-solving, experimentation, and creativity. As children grow, they still need these opportunities to explore, make mistakes, and learn through hands-on experiences.
Yet, as they move through the education system, the emphasis shifts towards structured learning, worksheets, and neat outcomes. There’s less time for play, and certainly less tolerance for mess. But in stripping away these opportunities, we’re limiting children's ability to think creatively, explore different materials, and learn in a way that feels natural and enjoyable.
The Frustration with the Lack of Sensory Play in Schools
It’s frustrating to see how schools have deprioritised sensory and practical creativity in favour of rigid curriculums. Art lessons are often squeezed into short, infrequent slots, and when they do happen, they’re frequently about following instructions rather than genuine exploration. Science experiments are increasingly demonstration-based rather than hands-on. Even subjects like maths can benefit from tactile learning—imagine how much easier fractions are to grasp when you’re physically dividing a lump of playdough rather than just looking at numbers on a page!
Rediscovering the Joy of Play
This is why I love running an art club that encourages sensory exploration. The children who come are often hesitant at first—especially older ones who have become used to structured activities. But as soon as they get their hands into something tactile, the excitement returns. They realise how freeing it is to just play, to experiment without fear of failure, and to enjoy the process rather than focus on the outcome.
Watching their faces light up as they sink their fingers into soft clay or mix unexpected colours together reminds me why this kind of play is so important. It’s not just about making something—it’s about the experience, the creativity, and the confidence that comes from discovering that there’s no "wrong" way to explore.
Keeping Play Alive
We need to push for more opportunities for sensory play beyond the early years. Schools should recognise that hands-on, exploratory learning isn’t just beneficial for toddlers—it’s essential throughout childhood and beyond. And as parents, educators, and facilitators, we can make space for it in our own ways—whether that’s through after-school clubs, weekend activities, or just embracing a bit of mess at home.
Because no child (or adult, for that matter) should ever feel they’re too old to squish, splash, mould, and create. Play isn’t just for pre-schoolers—it’s for life.
