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Messy day kicks a goal

Holly Thompson and Tari JeffersManjimup-Bridgetown Times
Jude Terry, 1, of Bridgetown, gets messy with paint.
Camera IconJude Terry, 1, of Bridgetown, gets messy with paint. Credit: Holly Thompson

More than 200 children turned out for the Shire of Manjimup’s annual Messy Play Day on Wednesday.

The aim of Messy Play Day is to give young children the opportunity to develop and refine cognitive, social, emotional, physical, creative and linguistic skill sets.

Activities held throughout the day at the Manjimup Heritage Park included tie dying, stone decoration, sago play, homemade noise makers, spaghetti worms, bag painting, bubble, playdough and soap slime play.

Melissa, Grace, 1, and Rhys Brooks, of Perth.
Camera IconMelissa, Grace, 1, and Rhys Brooks, of Perth. Credit: Holly Thompson

Messy play helps children enhance fine and gross motor skills, engages problem-solving abilities, stimulates a child’s five senses and assists in the development of hand-eye coordination.

Shire community development officer Sharon Wilkinson said one of the highlights was children’s laughter and seeing them involved and interacting with, their parents, step parents, grandparents and carers.

“One of the highlights for us as organisers is how lucky we are to have 20 organisations who have been consistently on board for the past four years and who make the morning a success each year with their enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment of the day,” she said.

Mrs Wilkinson also thanked LJ Hooker for donating the cost of the gum boots for children.

Vicki and Fred Vanda, of Collie, and their granddaughter Marcelline Wickham, 6.
Camera IconVicki and Fred Vanda, of Collie, and their granddaughter Marcelline Wickham, 6. Credit: Holly Thompson

New additions to the Messy Play Day this year included two door prizes from Act-Belong-Commit and Nature Play.

“The first door prize was an Act-Belong-Commit family picnic back pack with picnic blanket, plates, cups and utensils so that families can get outdoors to have picnics and spend time together,” she said. “The second prize was a back pack from Nature Play and a finger puppet kit.”

Ella Giblett, 3, of Manjimup.
Camera IconElla Giblett, 3, of Manjimup. Credit: Holly Thompson
Jasmine Parker, 6, of Manjimup.
Camera IconJasmine Parker, 6, of Manjimup. Credit: Holly Thompson
Logan Whitelaw, 10, Arlo, 3, and Darbi Forrest, 1, all of Manjimup.
Camera IconLogan Whitelaw, 10, Arlo, 3, and Darbi Forrest, 1, all of Manjimup. Credit: Holly Thompson
Karsha, 11, and Amelia Camilleri, 2, of Manjimup
Camera IconKarsha, 11, and Amelia Camilleri, 2, of Manjimup Credit: Holly Thompson
Scarlett Applin, 1, of Perth.
Camera IconScarlett Applin, 1, of Perth. Credit: Holly Thompson
Matthew, 4, James, 6, and Claire Fisk, 4 months, of Bridgetown.
Camera IconMatthew, 4, James, 6, and Claire Fisk, 4 months, of Bridgetown. Credit: Holly Thompson
Maureen, Nicola and Louis Muir, 4, all of Manjimup.
Camera IconMaureen, Nicola and Louis Muir, 4, all of Manjimup. Credit: Holly Thompson
Amielio Thornton, 8, of Manjimup, and Karri the Times Tiger.
Camera IconAmielio Thornton, 8, of Manjimup, and Karri the Times Tiger. Credit: Holly Thompson
Amelia Dasca, 6, of Perth.
Camera IconAmelia Dasca, 6, of Perth. Credit: Holly Thompson

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