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Eight Inspiring Elements for Mud Kitchens

We are getting ready to move! We’ll be going from a tiny yard to a decent-sized garden, and I’m so excited. One of the things I’m looking forward to is creating a mud kitchen for the boys. Sensory, open-ended, loose parts play. It’s going to be awesome! I’ve been gathering ideas for a while, and here are some of my favorite ideas that I hope to incorporate.

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Simple Kitchen, Built to Get Dirty

I love that the kitchen is built from loose parts, giving the kids the option for redesigning the space. I also appreciate that this would be quick to put together: no nails needed. Plus, it's not super shiny which says to me 'dirt is welcome here'!
I love that the kitchen is built from loose parts, giving the kids the option for redesigning the space. I also appreciate that this would be quick to put together: no nails needed. Plus, it’s not super shiny which says to me ‘dirt is welcome here’!

Create with your Hands

We stock our children with damaged and old tins, pans, and spoons from our own kitchen. If you’re looking for something child sized, you can pick up a set of kitchen toys from Ikea, or grab a delightful set of bowls and spoons from Etsy (affiliate link).

Photo Credit: MudMamaWV (affiliate link)

An Oven and a Hob

The stump oven and hob is super cool!
The stump oven and hob is super cool!

Rounded & Grounded

I love the creative use of pallets in this mud kitchen. It’s just so sturdy! Something like this will hold up for years.

If you’re not able to DIY your mud kitchen, you can look for something already made, like this one with an oven and a hob. (affiliate link).

Photo Credit: Monarch Studio Shop (affiliate link)

Lots and Lots of Loose Parts

So many loose parts, tools and objects to manipulate. I think it is really key to have all of these materials available. The entire post about this mud kitchen is really amazing - you should click through for sure!
So many loose parts, tools and objects to manipulate. I think it is really key to have all of these materials available. The entire post about this mud kitchen is really amazing – you should click through for sure!

ABC Does

My kids are never lacking for loose parts to play with – they always seem to find buckets, sticks, rocks, and leaves to play with. For extra fun, I love the idea of these rocks with food painted on them (referral link). Super durable and inspiring. You could also DIY this if you want to have some fun!

Photo credit: Affinity Stones (referral link)

A Sink with a Working Tap

We plan to reuse the sink and tap from our current kitchen for the mud kitchen. Something like this would work well, we just have to figure out how to hook it up to water.
We plan to reuse the sink and tap from our current kitchen for the mud kitchen. Something like this would work well, we just have to figure out how to hook it up to water.

Grillo Designs

If you don’t have a sink going spare, you can include a place for a tub of some sort. These plans to build your own mud kitchen include that plus a hob and a cupboard. (referral link).

Photo Credit: MudMamaWV (referral link)

A Place to Mix Concoctions

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The wheelbarrow is kind of like a giant mixing bowl – plus this version can be moved around the garden.

Build, Sew, Reap

A child sized wheelbarrow is actually the best toy we’ve ever bought our children, hands down. They love using it to work with Dad in the garden, and are constantly using it to move things around and mix concoctions. You can find simple ones from Amazon.

A Chalkboard to Write and Draw On

For emerging writing skills, I want to include a chalkboard in our mud kitchen.
For emerging writing skills, I want to include a chalkboard in our mud kitchen.

Adventures at Home with Mum

Grab some chalkboard paint and go to town adding a writable surface to your mud kitchen.

A Spot to ‘Eat’

Every kitchen needs a table - and it is a great opportunity to include natural textures materials.
Every kitchen needs a table – and it is a great opportunity to include natural textures materials.

Aspetuck Land Trust

If you don’t happen to have a log available, you can look into getting your kids a picnic table. This option is super cool, including a chalkboard and storage for all those loose parts! (affiliate link)

Photo Credit: NimblewoodKids (affiliate link)

Glorious Mud

A mud kitchen needs mud: I like the idea of having a space to dig, rather than letting the boys have free reign over the whole yard. I also like the shovels and pails.
A mud kitchen needs mud: I like the idea of having a space to dig, rather than letting the boys have free reign over the whole yard. I also like the shovels and pails.

Natural Play Areas

Mud – take dirt and just add water. Somehow my kids never have trouble figuring this one out!

Need even more inspiration to enjoy the great outdoors with your children? Check out these Five Great Reasons to Get Outside with the Kids.

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