🌈 Inclusive Play: Why It Matters and How to Make It Happen

Inclusive play isn’t just a “nice idea” – it’s something that really matters. When we create play spaces where all kids feel welcome, we’re doing more than keeping them busy. We’re helping them grow into kind, confident little humans who feel like they belong.

At Messy Monsterz, inclusive play is at the heart of everything we do. Whether it's one of our sensory parties, a creative workshop, or one of our DIY kits at home, we’re always thinking about how to make things more accessible, more fun, and less stressful for everyone involved – especially parents.

So What Is Inclusive Play?

Inclusive play is all about creating play experiences that work for every child – no matter their abilities, background, or needs.

It’s inclusive play that:

• Invites every child to join in at their own level

• Encourages teamwork, kindness, and connection

• Celebrates different strengths, communication styles, and ways of learning

• Helps kids build confidence in a safe, supported way
  

Sometimes it means making little changes, like adding a sensory-friendly option or offering extra visuals. Other times it means planning things differently from the start. Either way, it always starts with the question: “How can we make this work for more kids?”

Messy magic and meaningful moments – inclusive sensory play that celebrates every child’s way of exploring and connecting.

Why Inclusive Play Is So Important

It’s easy to think of play as just fun (which it is), but when it’s done right, it’s also where some of the most important learning happens.

Here are a few reasons inclusive play is so powerful:

💬 It builds social and communication skills

Kids learn how to make friends, take turns, ask questions, and work through disagreements. These are skills they’ll use for life.

🧠 It supports thinking and problem solving

Play is where kids learn to make decisions, plan ahead, and adapt when things don’t go to plan – all great for school and beyond.

💖 It helps develop empathy

Playing with kids who think, move, or play differently helps children learn to understand others and appreciate different perspectives.

🧍‍♀️ It supports physical development

Whether it’s squeezing slime, scooping sand, or climbing at the park, play helps build strength, balance, and coordination in a natural, playful way.

👉 Save this list for the next time someone tells you play is “just play”.

Inclusive sensory play in action – young children exploring texture, colour, and creativity during a hands-on, all-abilities activity designed to support early development through play.

5 Fine Motor Skills to Practise Through Play

Fine motor skills are all about the small muscle movements kids use every day – like doing up zips, feeding themselves, or holding a pencil. Here are five easy ones you can build into your everyday play.

1. Grasping and Releasing: Picking up little objects like beads, pebbles, or pasta helps kids practise holding and letting go. You’ll see this in action during water play, loose parts play, or even sorting coloured blocks. It’s great for hand control and coordination.

   
   

2. Appling Pressure: Squeezing playdough, snipping with scissors, or pushing paint around with a brush helps kids learn how much pressure to use. It builds strength and sets them up for future tasks like drawing, writing, or even brushing their hair.

   
   

3. Pincer Movement: This is that classic thumb-and-index-finger move that helps with things like self-feeding, zipping up jackets, or doing buttons. Activities like picking up sequins, feeding pom-poms through holes, or grabbing small puzzle pieces all give this skill a good workout.

   
   

4. Stirring and Mixing: Whether they’re mixing mud pies, paint, or pancake batter, kids are building wrist strength and coordination. Stirring is also a great calming activity and works beautifully in pretend play setups or sensory trays.

   
   

5. Drawing and Writing: Using crayons, markers, chalk, or even their fingers in coloured salt helps kids develop their grip and hand control. It’s not just about neat writing – it’s also about expressing creativity, building confidence, and learning to enjoy the process.

   
   

💡 Hot tip: Let go of the idea that it has to look perfect. Scribbles, smudges, and “oops” moments are all part of the magic.

📲 Save or screenshot this list for your next rainy day play session or when you need an idea that’s fun and secretly helping your little one build skills for life.

Messy moments that matter – Child enjoying inclusive sensory play activity at a Messy Monsterz workshop in Townsville

How to Make Play More Inclusive (Without Needing a Whole New Toy Room)

You don’t need specialist equipment or a perfectly curated Pinterest setup to make play inclusive. Most of the time, it’s just about being intentional, flexible, and open to adapting things based on what a child needs in that moment.

Inclusive play benefits all kids, not just those with additional needs. Research shows that children who engage in inclusive environments build stronger social-emotional skills, learn empathy earlier, and are more likely to grow up accepting of difference (Danniels and Pyle, 2022; Garvía et al., 2021). Plus, it just makes play more enjoyable for everyone involved.

Here’s how you can make small, meaningful changes that help more kids feel like they belong.

1. ♿ Choose Accessible, Open-Ended Play Setups

   Inclusive play starts with removing physical and social barriers. Open-ended materials like blocks, loose parts, natural items, or sensory bases (like rice or pasta) allow kids to engage in play in ways that suit their skills and interests.

   • Keep play spaces low to the ground so everyone can reach

   • Avoid toys with too many rules or fixed outcomes

   • Use trays, baskets or low tables for floor-based play

   • Include materials that can be used in multiple ways – think scoops, containers, playdough tools, and textured items
     

2. 🧩 Offer Sensory Options

   Sensory play is often the great equaliser in inclusive play. It doesn’t rely on language, speed, or “being right” – it simply invites kids to explore and engage in a way that feels good to them.

   You might offer:

   • A calm corner with squishy balls or kinetic sand

   • A water table with funnels and cups

   • A dry sensory bin with coloured rice, lentils, or pasta

   • Messy play trays with foam, slime, or gloop

   • Scented elements, soft fabrics, or textured mats
     

   These options help regulate the nervous system, support sensory processing, and give neurodivergent kids a way to connect without pressure.
   

3. 👫 Encourage Peer Inclusion

   Kids are still learning how to be inclusive – and that’s OK. But they learn best by watching and doing, so you can model inclusive language and behaviours like:

   • “Let’s make space for our friend.”

   • “Would you like to take turns together?”

   • “You can be the helper and show them how to play.”
     

   Help kids see that not everyone plays the same way, and that’s something to celebrate, not correct. You can also build routines that naturally promote teamwork, like group tidy-ups or setting up an activity together.
   

4. 🧠 Think About Transitions and Predictability

   Some kids (especially those who are neurodivergent or anxious) find it hard to move between activities or handle sudden changes. You can help by:

   • Giving a five-minute warning before packing away

   • Using visual cues or timers

   • Offering a “first this, then that” structure (e.g., first clean up, then story time)

   • Creating a loose routine so kids know what to expect
     

   This helps reduce overwhelm and makes the play environment feel safe and predictable.
   

   Parent-friendly reminder: Transitions aren’t just about routines. They’re about respecting a child’s nervous system and giving them time to shift gears.
   

5. 👩‍🏫 Keep Learning (We All Are!)

   There’s no such thing as the “perfect” inclusive parent or educator – but the fact you’re even thinking about this already means you care. Keep reading, asking questions, and listening to families with lived experience.

   Some great starting points:

   • Early Childhood Australia’s Inclusion Toolkit

   • Reframing Autism (especially for understanding neuro-affirming language)

   • Play Inclusion Project (UK-based, but practical tips for all)
     

   If you're a party host, teacher, carer, or just a play-loving mum – knowing more about different needs means you’re better equipped to say “yes” to more children.

   
   

Final Thoughts on Inclusive Play

At the end of the day, inclusion is not a checklist – it’s a mindset. It’s about making small, thoughtful choices that say to every child, “You matter here.”

If you’re after inclusive play trays, party setups, or sensory kits that make it easier for you to say yes to play without the overwhelm, check out what we offer at Messy Monsterz.

👉 Browse our inclusive parties and kits

And if you’ve made a little tweak to make your play more inclusive? Share it with us! We love seeing real families doing real things to make play better for all.