Letting kids be kids is a wonderful sentiment. They love to curiously explore the world around them and everything in it.
But it’s not always ideal. The internet is littered with examples of temporarily unsupervised children covering themselves – and mum’s pristine cream sofa – in full tubs of Sudocrem!
And while it may be frustrating when little fingers find their way into indelible liquids used to paint illegible murals onto our freshly painted living room walls… it is just their way of learning.
One paediatric nurse from Portadown – who has always seen the benefit of arts, crafts and getting messy – is now giving children “permission” to get up to their elbows in all manner of substances with her creative, hands-on play business, MessExpressNI.
Last year, mum-of-three Carley Caldwell decided to ‘take one for the team’ by launching a messy play business in County Armagh.
Speaking to Armagh I of her thought process early on, Carley said: “It’s always something that I’ve done. I have always done arts and crafts with my own kids from them being small. It’s something that I know people, once they start doing it, really enjoy it, but people don’t have the space or the resources and they even just don’t want the mess in the house.
“For development it’s amazing, they get so much from it. For me it was creating a space where they can come, they can have that element of messy play and parents can pick the kids up and go home again.”
Filling seven “tough trays” with all manner of sensory-focused substances – that she often makes by hand – Carley allows children to experiment through play in ways from which they would otherwise probably be discouraged.
She explains: “It’s like a sensory experience. I make a lot of the bases myself; like the homemade playdough, sand and slime. Each week it’s a different theme and within the theme it’s a variety of bases to help them develop their fine motor skills.
“It’s also about them having free reign. A lot of the time we set up play for kids and want them to play a certain way. But I set a tray up and I think they might use it for pouring or tipping but they come in and play with it in a different way. There’s a child-led element and being allowed to be curious and playing the way they want to play. ”
Carley sees an important element to the work she does, realising that – especially in the aftermath of Covid – many children are uncomfortable with being messy!
“We were so focused with washing our hands and not to touch things. There would be children who would struggle with that,” she said.
For those children, she sees additional value in letting them know that it’s ok to get stuck in… head to toe!
“Yes, the children are dirty at the end of it but they are washable, children can be washed!” she laughed.
And while the last year in business has been both exciting and fulfilling for the new entrepreneur, it has regrettably been punctuated by an unfortunate incident six months ago when Carley severely injured her hand in an accident involving a lawnmower.
Explaining the events, Carley – who originally hails from England – said: “I put my hand in a lawnmower! Mum’s partner wasn’t well so I was in England and noticed mum’s grass needed cutting. The lawnmower blocked up and I stupidly put my hand in. It was two fingers… but they are all still attached so I’m very, very lucky.”
Six moths on, Carley is still recovering from her injuries which have left her with limited mobility and strength in that hand.
She added: “The movement is shocking but the lack of grip you have from not having two fingers crazy. I’m getting there.
“Honestly, I didn’t know what to do. Do I go back or not? But I thought I would try and see and I have had really good feedback from people.”
Explaining her customers’ delight at hearing the MessExpress would soon be returning, Carley now realises the value in her business and – always keen to look on the bright side – she’s grateful for the brief hiatus that the accident has afforded her.
“I’m just adapting to it,” she said. “It’s been a long process in ways but I got to spend the summer with my kids and when would I ever get to do that?
“Maybe this has been the universe telling me to slow down. We have made memories and now I’m getting back to normality.”
The time off has also given Carley time to reflect and now, when she relaunches MessExpressNI on September 2, 2025 she will also be aiming to introduce new “split sessions” for younger tots and slightly older children.
Her sessions are aimed at children aged one year and over, up to approximately age 12, but Carley believes that messy play is for “everybody” and even sees the enjoyment parents get from it when they attend.
“You expect the older ones to be a bit more sensible but when they are given the option and given permission then they love it,” she added. “You don’t have to be sensible or be the grown-up in the room, you can just enjoy yourself and make a mess!”
The MessExpressNI will host its first return session in Tandragee Recreation Centre on September 2.
Further details of additional sessions and Brownlow Hub sessions can also be found via their Facebook page here.
