oshc activities
Gross and Messy Day / Mystery Feely Boxes

Mystery Feely Boxes

Children reach into covered boxes to feel squishy, slimy and strange objects and guess what they are.

How to run it

  1. Cut a hand hole in each box and fill with items such as cooked spaghetti, jelly or peeled grapes.
  2. Label each box with a spooky name like worms or eyeballs.
  3. Have children reach in and describe what they feel.
  4. Reveal the real items at the end.

You will need

  • boxes with hand holes
  • cooked spaghetti
  • jelly
  • peeled grapes
  • wet wipes
Make it easier or harderKeep it gentle for younger children; older children can write clue cards for each box.
SafetyCheck allergies, let children opt out, and never ask children to taste the contents.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 4, Outcome 5Children use descriptive language to explain what they feel.

Fits these theme days

Gross and Messy DayHalloweenSensory DayMessy Play Day

More like this

Great Race Day · Gross and Messy Day · Games Carnival Day +2

No-Hands Donut Relay

Relay teams take turns eating a hanging donut without using their hands, then walk back to tag the next player for a funny, messy race.

OutdoorModerateSome prepPrep to Year 6Ancient Egypt · Halloween · Time Travellers Day +2

Mummy Wrapping Race

Teams race to wrap one teammate from shoulders to feet in toilet paper like an ancient mummy, creating lots of laughter and teamwork.

IndoorModerateGrab-and-goPrep to Year 6Art Attack Day · Budding Artists · Halloween +2

Straw Blow Painting

Children blow drops of watery paint across paper through straws to create branching trees or wild monster shapes.

IndoorCalmGrab-and-goPrep to Year 6Art Attack Day · Budding Artists · Messy Play Day +1

Rolling Marble Painting

Younger children roll paint-coated marbles around a tray lined with paper to create colourful, unpredictable patterns.

IndoorCalmGrab-and-goPrep to Year 3