It’s not that we never clean house or that I don’t make my children pick up. In fact, if I walked in on the above scene, I’d be quickly calling some children to come and put things in order. But messes are pretty common in our house. The kids have free reign over a variety of arts and crafts items I always keep on hand. Besides your basic crayons, markers, glue, and scissors, I have an old wardrobe filled with string, stickers, toilet paper rolls, popsicle sticks, chenille wire, paints, and a variety of other odds and ends. The kids can- and do- get out any supplies as they think of thing that they would like to do or to make.

 

The truth is, I don’t particularly like messes. I really prefer to have clean, clear spaces without much clutter. It goes against the grain for me to allow the kids to spread out their glue and paper and glitter and playdough and any other variety of “stuff” they’re currently using. So, why do I bite my tongue and turn my head and allow the messes? Where do the kids find all this great stuff with which to make a mess? And how do I learn to live with the messes that are made?

 

My kids have taken apart non-working electronics to see how they were made. They’ve experimented with using various craft supplies to make doll furniture. My second born became very interested in the reaction of vinegar and baking soda when we first made a volcano, and he spent a whole afternoon trying out how each of them reacted with other substances. When kids know it’s okay to make a mess, they’ll have the freedom to explore and learn by doing.

 

Being free to make a mess also helps kids to be creative. My kids developed a game that they play amongst themselves. They call it “Snipped.” It’s based off the television show Chopped, but they create a unique item instead of food. To play the game, one sibling or a couple, fill a box with random craft supplies. Then the sibling who is the creator takes the box and has a set amount of time to use all the items in it to come up with a unique creation. The game is definitely a messy one. Even if they faithfully clean up after, there will be craft supplies that are misplaced or glue stuck to the table or small bits of paper that didn’t make it to the trash. But I’ve seen some of the creations that come out of playing Snipped, and they are pretty amazing.

 

This exploring and creating has great value when it comes to learning, although if you asked them, the kids certainly wouldn’t say they were doing “school.” But the opportunity to create and explore sharpens critical thinking skills and teaches kids hands on lessons about how things work.

 

Despite my love of clean spaces and lack of clutter, I’ve become a “stuff” collector. Toilet paper rolls, empty boxes, leftover yarn, pieces of cardboard, paper grocery bags, non working appliances- all of these have at one time or another found a home in our craft closet. I’m not fond of all of these goodies, but these are things that allow kids to create and explore.

 

I’ve become the go to person when any family member is throwing things away. People check with me before they get rid of the old shoe boxes or the plastic berry baskets from the farmer’s market. I do have a limit. I can’t possibly store everything. But I do keep some unique supplies on hand because I never know what may spark an idea in the mind of a child. 

 

I can survive the messes- and even encourage them- because I’ve put some boundaries into place. Kids know that messes need to be cleaned up. They know they are free to drag out whatever they like when they’re in the midst of following an idea. But, it all needs to be cleaned up and put away when the idea has been carried out. They also know that there are things that need to be used in designated places. Paint can only be used at the table or outside. Glitter is rarely allowed inside, but they can use it outside. Certain experiments are best done over a sink or outdoors. (The child who wanted to experiment all day with baking soda and vinegar was confined to the bathtub for all of his trials.)

 

By having some clearly defined boundaries and rules about using supplies and getting messy, I can find a way to overlook the messes. And, with some practice, I’ve even learned to enjoy watching the kids get out all kinds of supplies and begin to work on some project or other. I enjoy it because I know they’re learning even as they have fun.

 

 

Following learning interests by creating new things and investigating new ideas can result in messes being made. But if you can learn to overlook the mess, you can encourage kids as they create and explore. And you can help to develop lifelong learners who always have a desire to learn more- even when it makes a mess.

 

 Leah Courtney is a homeschooling mom of four. Her days are filled with being a mom, homemaker, and teacher. In her (very rare) free time, she enjoys blogging, reading, and reviewing books and curricula. These days she’s learning the joys of being a mom of teens. You can read about her family and homeschooling life at As We Walk Along the Road.