---
title: "Introducing: The Mess Report"
description: We asked 1,000 UK parents of children under 10 about messy play, outdoor play and how childhood is changing.
image: https://landing.kidsplanetdaynurseries.co.uk/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(2).png
---
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/Mess%20Report%20Landing%20page%201920x540-01.png?width=4000&height=1125&name=Mess%20Report%20Landing%20page%201920x540-01.png "Mess Report Landing page 1920x540-01")
Mud on knees. Paint-covered fingers. Sand in shoes. Water everywhere.
To adults, it can look like mess. To a child, it can be an experiment, an adventure, a work of art or a new discovery.
At Kids Planet, we encourage messy play because it gives children the freedom to get curious, try things out and make their own discoveries. But we wanted to understand how parents feel about mess and whether children today are getting enough opportunities to experience it.
### The stats on messy play
We asked **1,000 UK parents of children under 10** about messy play, outdoor play and how childhood is changing.
What they told us was interesting...
### 79%
of parents agree messy play supports their child's development, creativity and wellbeing.
### 70%
**believe children today don't get enough opportunities to get messy.**
### 82%
of parents believe children spend less time playing outdoors than they did when they were young.
### 77%
wish their children had more time for creative activities.
We call this **The Mess Gap**.
It isn't because parents don't value these experiences. Our research shows that the realities of family life can simply make them harder to fit in. There's the cleaning up, worries about clothes and furniture, busy days and, sometimes, just not enough time.
## Read the full Mess Report
The Mess Report explores what might be behind this gap, why opportunities to pour, squash, mix, dig, build, splash and create can be so valuable, and the role we can all play in making space for more of them.
Because childhood doesn't always need to be tidy.
Sometimes, there's method in the mess.
[Download the Mess Report](https://landing.kidsplanetdaynurseries.co.uk/hubfs/Mess%20Report%20assets%20(2026)/FE2761%20Mess%20Report%20PDF%20Design%202.pdf?hsLang=en-gb)
/Mess%20Report.png?width=2000&height=1390&name=Mess%20Report.png "Mess Report")
## 30 minute messy play ideas
/Mess%20Report%20Leaflet.png?width=1715&height=2000&name=Mess%20Report%20Leaflet.png "Mess Report Leaflet")
## How to get started
Modern family life is busy. And while parents want their children to have opportunities to explore, create and get messy, finding the time isn’t always easy. Sometimes, 30 minutes is enough for you to create an enriching experience for your child.
Try this: Mud potions
You’ll need a bowl or container, a little water and anything you can find outdoors – think mud, leaves, petals, grass or small sticks.
Let your child take the lead, adding ingredients, pouring in water and mixing their creation. It might become a magic potion, a muddy soup or something entirely of their own invention. There’s no right way to play.
Want more ideas?
We’ve created a collection of simple 30-minute messy play activities for busy families, with easy ideas you can set up at home without lots of preparation.
Get your free 30-minute Messy Play guide:
[Download the Messy Play Guide](https://landing.kidsplanetdaynurseries.co.uk/hubfs/Mess%20Report%20assets%20(2026)/Messy%20Play%20Guide%20(2026).pdf?hsLang=en-gb)
### See the method in the mess yourself...
At Kids Planet, we believe some of the best learning happens when children have the freedom to explore. Messy play is part of everyday life across our nurseries, supported by skilled educators who know when to join in, extend an idea and when to stand back and see where a child's curiosity takes them.
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