From a Grandmother’s Request to Hands-On Learning: An Inside Look at Messy Play Kits
Interview by Heather Anderson
Meet Robin Imholte, founder and CEO of Messy Play Kits. With a background in child development and psychology, Robin has created an all-in-one solution for parents who want to bring the magic of sensory and STEAM activities into their homes—without the hassle. It all started with a heartfelt family favor and has since grown into a thriving business, now offering a range of playful kits, monthly subscriptions, and even slime boxes. In this Q&A, Robin shares the story behind Messy Play Kits, explains why sensory play is more than just “mess,” and offers tips to help parents feel confident about diving into hands-on fun.
The origin of Messy Play Kits is such a heartwarming story, starting with your grandmother asking for activity ideas for her great-grandson. Can you take us back to that moment and share what inspired you to turn that initial request into a full-fledged business?
It all started when my grandma asked for creative, educational activities to enjoy with her toddler-aged great-grandson. Rather than just texting her a quick list, I went all-in and packed up a box full of unique materials and handwritten instructions for a week of hands-on, messy fun. She was so thrilled with the activities that she said, “You have to do this for other families!” That encouragement was the spark. It felt like the perfect blend of my child development background and my passion for play-based learning. And so, Messy Play Kits was born.
You have a background in child development and psychology, which clearly influences Messy Play Kits. Why do you believe sensory play is so crucial for children’s development, and how does it support their growth in ways that other activities might not?
Sensory exploration taps into a child’s natural curiosity. When kids are fully engaged—touching, smelling, hearing, and observing—they’re building crucial neural pathways that form the foundation of cognitive, social, and language skills. It’s also about emotional development; when children work with different materials, they learn self-regulation, problem-solving, and even early scientific concepts like cause and effect. Sensory play gives them the freedom to experiment and discover in a way that’s both fun and developmentally significant.
Many parents want to engage their kids in sensory and STEAM activities but struggle with finding the right materials and ideas. What are some of the common challenges you hear from parents, and how does Messy Play Kits make it easier for them to provide these enriching experiences?
Time and overwhelm are the two biggest culprits. Parents want to do hands-on projects but feel paralyzed when they think about buying all the supplies, researching ideas, and cleaning up afterward. Messy Play Kits solves this by delivering everything they need right to their doorstep—materials, step-by-step instructions, and even tips for managing the mess. Our goal is to reduce the planning and prep so families can spend more quality time actually playing, rather than stressing about how to make it all happen.
You mentioned how parents often feel overwhelmed by gathering supplies and planning activities. On that note, can you walk us through the process of designing these kits so they’re both developmentally beneficial for kids and easy for parents to use? And what exactly can families expect to find in each box?
Every kit starts with a research phase, where I think about what will capture a child’s curiosity and how each activity aligns with different developmental milestones. From there, I test out prototypes with real kids to see whether they stay engaged or discover new ways to explore that I hadn’t considered. Once the activities are fine-tuned, I pull everything together into a neat package. That typically includes:
Pre-measured sensory or STEAM components (like slime mix, colored rice, or other tactile materials)
Specialized tools needed to set up or manipulate the activity
A clear instruction card that guides parents through setup and play
Tips or variations so families can tailor the experience to different ages and interests
My goal is to remove as many barriers as possible, so parents can jump right into hands-on fun without spending hours prepping or shopping for supplies.
Love that! I’ve heard you have about a jillion variations and options. How many different boxes do you have?
Haha! Alllmost a jillion. We have 24 unique kits of each product line (STEAM Kits and Sensory Bins), so people can subscribe for two years without repeating a theme!
Was there a particular moment when you realized that Messy Play Kits was really resonating with families, perhaps a time when you thought, wow, this is really happening? How did that impact your vision for the company?
I’d say a huge turning point came at an Etsy event in the Ferry Building in San Francisco. Before that, I’d only done one pretty slow summer fair, so I wasn’t expecting much. My booth was tucked away in the back, but on the very first day, I completely sold out of kits. That night, I went home and stayed up making as many more as I could—and then sold out again the following day. People even started buying IOU slips so I could ship their kits in time for the holidays. I went home with a stack of order forms and spent weeks afterward fulfilling them. That was when it truly hit me: there was a real hunger for these kinds of ready-to-go sensory play experiences. It pushed me to think bigger and expand our offerings, which eventually led us into retail stores in multiple states and regular appearances at craft fairs and classes throughout the SF Bay Area.
“Sensory exploration taps into a child’s natural curiosity. When kids are fully engaged—touching, smelling, hearing, and observing—they’re building crucial neural pathways that form the foundation of cognitive, social, and language skills.”
Beyond the kits, you also share a lot of free inspiration, tips, and videos to help parents engage in sensory play with their kids. Why is it important to you to provide these resources, and how do you hope they impact families?
I’ve always wanted to be a behind-the-scenes helper for families, not just someone who sells a product. Sharing free resources—whether it’s quick tips on Instagram or ideas for simple DIY materials—opens up sensory play to everyone. It removes financial or logistical barriers and supports parents who might feel intimidated by the potential mess. If a parent sees a fun, simple activity online and tries it at home, that’s a huge win. The more we can build a community around the value of play, the more confident parents will feel about diving in.
Sensory play can be messy, which can be daunting for parents. How do you encourage them to embrace the mess and see it as a valuable part of their child’s learning process? Do you have any tips for making it more manageable at home?
I always say: be prepared, not scared! One of my favorite hacks is a foldable kiddie pool. It’s a total game-changer because you can contain the mess in one spot, then fold it up and rinse it off when you’re done. You can store it easily in a closet or the garage, and it’s super portable if you want to take messy play outdoors. I also suggest picking a designated space—maybe outside or on a surface that’s easy to wipe down—and keeping towels and a trash bin close by. Setting guidelines with kids helps too, like saying, “The paint stays on the paper or in the tray.” Embracing a little chaos is worth it, though, because hands-on exploration sparks creativity and problem-solving skills. When you’re ready for a bit of mess, you’re giving your child the freedom to discover and learn in the most fun, meaningful way possible.
As someone who’s so dedicated to creativity and play, how do you stay inspired in your own life? What keeps you excited about developing new ideas for Messy Play Kits?
I’m naturally curious, so I’m always researching and experimenting. I get inspiration from all sorts of places—watching children play, scrolling through educational blogs, even strolling through craft stores and thinking, how could we turn these materials into a sensory exploration? But the real spark comes from seeing kids light up when they discover something new in our kits. Every bit of feedback from parents or caregivers keeps me motivated, because I know it’s making a difference in how families connect and learn together.
For parents who are ready to dive into sensory play but don’t know where to start, what’s your best advice? How can they begin with Messy Play Kits and make the most of what you offer?
Start with a theme your child already loves—like dinosaurs, space, or cooking—and find a kit that aligns with that interest. We’ve designed our products so you don’t need to be a Pinterest pro or have a shopping list of supplies. And if you’re still hesitant, check out our social media or website for freebies, demos, and how-to videos. Once you see how engaged your child becomes, you’ll realize the mess is totally worth the magical moments you share.
What message would you like to leave with parents about the role of sensory play in their child’s development, and how can Messy Play Kits be a part of that journey?
Sensory play goes beyond just fun; it’s a powerful way to nurture curiosity, creativity, and confidence in children. It allows them to explore the world on their own terms, making connections and discoveries that stick. Whether you decide to go the DIY route or use our kits, the important thing is to lean into the wonder of learning. Messy Play Kits is here to simplify that process, giving you all the tools to focus on what really matters: the shared joy of exploration and bonding with your kids.
Ready to Explore Messy Play?
Check Out Our Kits: Visit Messy Play Kits to explore our full range of sensory bins, single-activity kits, monthly subscriptions, and more.
Connect with Robin: Have questions or special requests? Email Robin for more ideas and personalized recommendations.
Follow Along: Stay inspired with free tips, tricks, and videos by following us on Instagram and Facebook.
You can also find Robin on The M List, The Mamahood’s searchable database of mom-recommended resources, or connect and collaborate with Robin inside The Club membership for women Founders.