My boy loves the messy play, but does play differently to DD. He loves the mud messy play more than the painting and playdough. DD will play with dough (and has done so for a year or so) for up to an hour or sometimes even more! Where as DS will play with it but for about 20-30mins. DS loves to drive his cars in nannys garden through puddles and stuff like that, and DD will play with the mud with cups and pots and stuff like that.

Another great idea for older kids is to give them some nails and off cuts of wood and building things to create with. They can then paint it after they build it. I remember making 'bird feeders' (a post of wood with a platform to put a bowl of food/water on,lol!) when I was about 7ish with a little help from dad. I painted them and decorated them with glitter or beads, or sparkles or whatever we had.