Frequently Asked Questions

Messybeanz is a stay and play service for children with special needs, SEN and disabilities in Warwickshire. We offer messy and sensory play activities for children to explore. We run at a low capacity to ensure we are accessible for all of our families. We also focus on parents and caregivers having a safe and welcoming environment to meet others and share experiences.

We recommend clothes that you don’t mind getting messy. The activities we offer may include paint, slime and gloop and these may result in stains or marks on clothing.

Once you have booked a space at one of our sessions, you can join that session for as long as you wish. Within that time slot can stay for the whole time, arrive later or leave earlier, just make sure you have signed in and out.

We are a group exclusively for children with special needs and disabilities and as part of our commitment to being as accessible as possible we keep our capacity low. We welcome siblings who have special needs and disabilities as long as both children can be thoroughly supervised. We ask that other siblings stay at home. All children and adults attending must have booked a space

We understand that some families may be better benefited by having more than one caregiver join us for the session, this is welcomed. Please add any additional adults at the time of booking. If you require 3 or more adult to a session please contact us before booking to ensure we can accommodate you all.

We understand how important it can be for therapists and professionals to observe children in a variety of locations, we welcome them to join us at a session. Please book them an additional adult slot and send us a quick message so we know to expect them.

Of course!! Please ensure it is only your child/children within the photos. If you share the image online make sure to tag us!

Messybeanz Birthday parties will be coming soon!

You are more than welcome to bring food and drink to the sessions, we do ask that they are nut free where possible and that they are eaten away from the activities.

We welcome children up to the age of 15 years who enjoy sensory and messy play to join our sessions. All children should be supervised throughout the session.

We work hard with our locations to ensure all of our families can join us. Feel free to message us for specific details.

We categorise each activity in one of three ways: edible, taste safe or non-toxic. Edible implies that all of the materials (except for resources such as toys and paper ect) are edible. Non-toxic implies that the materials used contain non-toxic elements added to the edible materials such as coloured rice and pasta. Taste safe implies the edible material has been edited with another edible item such as food colouring or the edible material may not be something that should be consumed in large quantities such as corn flour or tea bags but are unlikely to cause harm if tasted. Each activity will be categorised and this will be on display during the session.

Messy play can be highly beneficial for children with special needs and disabilities. Here are some of the key advantages:

1. Sensory development: Messy play engages all the senses, allowing children to explore various textures, smells, tastes, and sounds. This sensory stimulation can help children with special needs improve their sensory processing skills, enhance their ability to regulate sensory input, and develop a better understanding of the world around them.

2. Motor skills development: Messy play activities such as finger painting, playing with clay, or pouring and scooping can greatly enhance a child's fine motor skills. The various movements required during these activities, such as pinching, squeezing, and grasping, help strengthen their hand muscles, increase coordination, and improve hand-eye coordination and control.

3. Cognitive development: Engaging in messy play encourages problem-solving and critical thinking skills. When children experiment with different materials or textures, they learn to hypothesize, explore cause-and-effect relationships, and develop their creative thinking abilities. This can be particularly valuable for children with special needs and disabilities, helping them develop their cognitive skills at their own pace.

4. Language and communication development: Messy play can provide opportunities for children to engage in conversations, verbalize their thoughts and experiences, and use descriptive language. Whether it's describing the texture of sand or the color of the paint, messy play encourages children to express themselves, practice vocabulary, and improve their communication skills.

5. Emotional and social development: Messy play can help children build confidence in their abilities, as they have the freedom to explore and take risks in a safe environment. It can also offer opportunities for social interaction with peers, siblings, or adults, promoting turn-taking, cooperation, and sharing. Engaging in messy play can be a fun and enjoyable experience, fostering positive emotions, reducing anxieties, and promoting overall well-being.

6. Improved attention and concentration: Many children with special needs struggle with attention and concentration. Messy play activities can captivate their attention, stimulate their focus, and improve their ability to stay engaged in an activity for longer periods. The multi-sensory nature of messy play can also help children better organize their thoughts and experiences, leading to better attention and concentration skills.

Overall, messy play can be a valuable tool for children with special needs and disabilities, supporting their development across various areas while providing an inclusive and enjoyable experience.

Sensory play provides numerous advantages for children with special needs and disabilities. These include:

1. Sensory integration: Sensory play helps children with special needs and disabilities integrate sensory information more effectively. By engaging in activities that stimulate their senses, such as playing with water, sand, or textured materials, they can learn to process sensory input more efficiently and improve their overall sensory integration skills.

2. Self-regulation: Many children with special needs struggle with sensory sensitivity or sensory-seeking behaviors. Sensory play can provide them with opportunities to regulate their sensory experiences. It allows them to explore different sensory inputs at their own pace, helping them self-regulate and create a sense of calm and control.

3. Emotional regulation: Sensory play can be a powerful tool for emotional regulation. Engaging in sensory experiences, such as using stress balls or manipulating soft objects, can help children with special needs regulate their emotions and reduce anxiety or stress. Sensory play can serve as a soothing and therapeutic outlet for emotional expression.

4. Language development: Sensory play encourages children to encounter and describe various sensory experiences. By engaging their senses, they can learn and use new vocabulary related to different textures, smells, tastes, and sounds. This can significantly improve their language and communication skills.

5. Motor skills development: Sensory play often involves manipulating objects, pouring, scooping, and other physical movements. These actions promote the development of fine and gross motor skills in children with special needs and disabilities. This can enable them to improve their hand-eye coordination, finger dexterity, balance, and overall physical abilities.

6. Cognitive development: Engaging in sensory play can enhance cognitive skills in children with special needs. By exploring different sensory materials and engaging in open-ended play, they can develop problem-solving abilities, creativity, and critical thinking skills. Sensory play also stimulates their curiosity and encourages them to experiment and explore new ideas.

7. Social interaction: Sensory play can foster social engagement and interaction among children with special needs. Activities that encourage cooperative play or turn-taking, such as playing in a sensory table or participating in a group activity involving sensory materials, provide opportunities for socialization and the development of social skills.

Overall, sensory play offers a wide range of benefits for children with special needs and disabilities. By utilizing their senses, they can experience the world around them more fully, enhance their learning and development, and improve their overall well-being.