Kids love playing in the mud; there is nothing more thrilling than the permission to get all mucky without being told off and coming in like they had a bath in a puddle. Letting children get messy and having free reign over their playtime outside has many benefits, and the best mud kitchens are a great way to control the chaos.
So what is a mud kitchen? Well, as the name suggests, it’s a kitchen full of mud. But, instead of it being in your home, it’s an outdoor kitchen specifically made for mud fun. Your little ones will love making mud cakes, potions and other creative projects right from the garden.
What are the benefits of muddy play?
Kids aren't the only ones who love to get mucky, there are many muddy assault courses out there for adults to enjoy too. Not only is it a great way to have fun in nature and get grounded, but it provides many health benefits as well.
Research has proven that playing in the mud can make you happy. LiveScience.com reported on a study by the University of Bristol, which showed that 'exposure to friendly soil bacteria could improve your mood by boosting the immune system just as effectively as antidepressant drugs'. There is also additional evidence that microscopic bacteria in mud can increase serotonin levels in our brains – the chemical that helps us relax.
So, making mud pies and crawling through mud increases our happiness and relaxation levels. Although, certainly most children don't need convincing that mud is fun and good for you.
Playing in the mud is a fantastic way to ground yourself and it creates an instant connection to nature - something children need to more of now, as they grow up around screens and other technology.
If you don't need any more convincing to invest in a mud kitchen for kids, then here are the best ones available today:
The best mud kitchens for mucky fun
www.tptoys.com
Kids can make mud pies, mud cakes and a whole dinner party for their woodland friends with this mud kitchen. This isn't a stand-alone mud kitchen; it can be attached to a playhouse or any other structure like a wall - perfect for smaller gardens. The set includes a removable water bowl, a refillable water butt with a working tap, plus pans and a whisk.
Size: 81 x 56 x 36cm
Material: Wood with plastic
Attaches to a playhouse or wall
Review: "Bought this for my 22-month-old granddaughter; she absolutely loves it. It sits on the wall lovely, taking up hardly any space, great product."
redirect.viglink.com
If you are looking for a mud kitchen with all the add-ons, this deluxe option has many features for children to enjoy, such as a hob, a removable plastic sink, a refillable water butt with a tap, shelves, a chalkboard, hob rings, pans and a whisk too. One thing to consider is that reviewers have mentioned that it can take quite a while to assemble as there are many parts.
Size: 96 x 40 x 96 cm
Material: Wood and plastic
Accessories: Pots and whisk included
Review: "Good clear instructions, good quality materials, and it feel very robust. It has a sliding section that needs a little more care to assemble & may need some TLC to maintain functionality longer term, especially if being used & left outside. Overall impressed with the product so far, including price, packaging etc. Allow a couple of hours to unpack and assemble."
www.argos.co.uk
This little mud kitchen from Chad Valley has an oven built in - perfect for rock cakes and mud pies. There are also two sink bowls, a hob, hooks to hang up pots and eight utensils. Cover up this mud kitchen when itu2019s not in use to keep it protected from rain and bright sunlight. However, it is good to note that a cover isnu2019t included.
Size: 105 x 93.5 x 52.5cm
Material: Wood with metal
Accessories: Eight utensils included
Review: "Great price, nice size and two sinks is a must for multi-child families. Easy to assemble, but suggest some treatment or painting is required for outdoor use to protect the (untreated) wood. Easily and affordably done with some varnish or Danish Oil!"
www.etsy.com
How adorable is this wooden cabin mud kitchen? The kitchen features a hob, sink, drawer and oven, hooks for utensils and a shelf. Not to mention it is incredibly high quality and made from pressure-treated Canadian Red Wood, so it should stand up to all weathers. Plus, it will encourage little ones to play even in the rain.
Size: 120 x 120 x 45cm
Material: Wood with plastic sink bowl
Review: "Absolutely beautiful we are extremely pleased with the quality and design."
www.smythstoys.com
This simple and entertaining mud kitchen features a working tap, reusable chalkboard, oven cabinet and storage shelf - making it a great value and affordable option. One thing to note is that it doesnu2019t come with any pots or pans.
Size: 91.8 x 42.5 x 91 cm
Material: Timber, wood and plastic
Review: "I got this for my nephew and he loves it! He wouldn’t even finish his breakfast until he had done the dishes and put them in the cupboard! His dad put it together and it seemed fairly straightforward, feels pretty good quality."
www.plumplay.co.uk
This wooden kitchen is perfect for budding artists, gardeners and chefs. The mud kitchen features a steel sink, hob, a window box for growing plants, and a clear painting screen for finger painting. There is even a paintbrush holder and many shelves for all the kitchen equipment.
Size: 160 x 70 x 115cm
Material: Wood with stainless steel bowl
5-year warranty due to rot
Review: "Very sturdy and much enjoyed by our daughter and her friends."
www.gltc.co.uk
This lovely mini mud kitchen has been treated to ensure it stays in good condition despite the temperamental British weather. The two-in-one playhouse is part workshop and part kitchen with space to cook on one side and paint on the other. There is also even an illustrated weather station on the side for little meteorologists.
Size: 101H x 60W x 40D
Material: Wood
Review: "Mud kitchen was one of the best-engineered things I've ever built, including ordinary flatpack furniture, and the build instructions were absolutely clear and excellent, like nothing I've seen before. The only thing to note is you will need a stubby screwdriver at one point, which is the only thing not mentioned in the "before you start" bit."
Cheap and cheerful, this basic mud kitchen is an ideal introduction to mucky play. Made from timber and a removable plastic tray, this is a brilliant starter kit for imaginary fun. From digging for gold to making mud pies, this toy contains a shelf to store the pans and whisk included with the kitchen.
Size: 67 x 35 x 58 cm
Material: Wood and plastic
Accessories: Pots and whisk included
Review: "My five and two-year-old love this, making potions & lotions from the garden. The sink, on occasion, drops down, but that's due to my boys not quite lining it up. The pans that come with it are great!"
Mud kitchen accessories
Get your muddy head chef this 17 piece set, including a chef hat, apron, pots, pans and cooking utensils. Trust us, they will be spending hours outside playing.
Review: "The set is comprehensive, containing everything the junior cook could need. Not only does this product look good, but it is also great value for money. It's light and so easy for small hands to manipulate, and my granddaughter plays with some part of it nearly every day."
A little stuck for inspiration? This mud kitchen guide contains tips on where to get and make supplies. Plus, information on outdoor play and its importance to child development.
Review: "Gorgeous book. Some great ideas and gave me the final push to get started with our mud kitchen with limited resources. Now I'm always on the lookout for new editions to it!"
No adults allowed! Personalise this cute sign above your child's mud kitchen so they can show everyone who's boss.
Review: "I purchased this product to put on my grandson's mud kitchen. It looks fantastic. Would recommend."
If your mud kitchen doesn't come with a fitted tap or water butter, this 25-litre water container will come in handy.
Review: "Good strong container. The plastic is very thick and the tap is good but needs to be put on tight as there was a leak."
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