Mud Kitchen

Two toddlers playing with wet sand at the beach

This activity promotes development and learning by encouraging children to demonstrate flexibility in thoughts, actions, and behavior and use muscles to explore and interact with the environment.

Materials Needed:

  • Large metal or plastic utensils, plastic cups or pitchers, plates or bowls, buckets, muffin tins, pots or pans (items that you don’t mind getting dirty)
  • Table or bench
  • Dirt
  • Water
  • Natural materials (whatever your child collects)

Participants: This activity is intended for adult/child interaction.

Directions:

  1. Gather the materials and take them outside.
  2. Set up an outdoor “kitchen” with the items and natural materials.
  3. Fill a pitcher with water and pour it onto the dirt to create mud.
  4. Let children “cook” with mud and materials.
Bright Horizons
About the Author
Bright Horizons
Bright Horizons
In 1986, our founders saw that child care was an enormous obstacle for working parents. On-site centers became one way we responded to help employees – and organizations -- work better. Today we offer child care, elder care, and help for education and careers -- tools used by more than 1,000 of the world’s top employers and that power many of the world's best brands
Two toddlers playing with wet sand at the beach