Chinese New Year Messy Play

 Chinese New Year Messy Play

We have had a tonne of fun in our classes this week celebrating Chinese New Year with some super messy trays.

Our first tray had my version of Sweet & Sour sauce with Vermicelli noodles. The children absolutely loved this one as the sauce was actually Jam Gloop!! Not only did it taste amazing it also made a brilliant base for some fantastic mark making. I placed a range of tools around the tray, these included tongs to help strengthen those gross motor skills and develop hand eye co-ordination. See how to make your very own taste safe Sweet & Sour sauce below 🙂

We also had boiled rice with Chinese bowls and spoons. The children were encouraged to fill the bowls with the rice and turn them out into small mounds on the tray. This again helps little ones hand eye co-ordination.

We had Chinese noodles in our final tray with some learning chopsticks. The children were encouraged to lift the noodles using the chopsticks and place them onto the opposite black plate. This was a great activity to help develop both fine & gross motor skills and also fill those tummy’s 🙂

Each of the children also received a red envelope with chocolate coins in to take home. Children are given these envelopes, filled with money, by their parents and other family adults. The red colour symbolizes good luck and is a symbol to ward off evil spirits.

How to make our Sweet & Sour sauce 

Boil together 3 jars of jam and 6 jars of water, make up a paste with 6 tablespoons of cornflour and whisk into your boiled jam. Place in a container to cool and add in your boiled peppers (skin removed) and pineapple chunks. There you have it all the the fun of messy play with a yummy Chinese twist!

I hope you’ve all had a fabulous Chinese New year,

Kung Hei Fat Choy

Emma xx