Mud play is one of the few instances where children are not only allowed to get dirty; they are encouraged to do so.
As mothers we might be hesitant to let them just go in the mud when we think of all the cleaning, scrubbing and wiping it will take to remove the dirt, but trust me, there's more that meets the eye with this awesome activity play.
Also it's so hard to keep children away from mud. Once they see it, they want to jump in it, (thanks Peppa Pig), touch it, throw it, and everything else.
It is a fact : children are naturally drawn to the mud and they should be allowed to enjoy it!
Mud play is an activity with plenty of benefits for children whether they are homeschooled or not. It can be done during all weathers, with the appropriate tools and clothing. And more importantly, it's fun! A no-screen fun!
Mud play is more than just children getting dirty in the dirt. It is an activity that reconnects children with mother nature while breathing fresh air and letting their imagination and ideas transcend their little fingers in the mud.
If you are concerned with the cleaning afterward, I hear you. I felt that way. Trust me, with the adequate clothing and necessary preparation, you won't be brotherered with too much cleaning and everybody will be happy!
It's win-win situation. Happy kids, happy mom!
Benefits to Mud Play
There are many benefits to Mud Play that I hope would encourage you to set this activity for your children.
Benefits to Mud Play
How to set up the Mud Play Activity
Organizing and setting the right intention is the best way to get through any activity with the children. That way we don't end up with any messy surprises to clean-up afterwards.
Kitchen Utensils
Kitchen utensils are the best for mud play because they are safe to use, come in different shapes and sizes, and are easy to clean. This is good time to use recycled tomato sauce jars or sour cream containers. You can also hit the dollar store for wooden spoons and spatulas to make the activity extra fun and interactive.
Clothing
Mud play gets very dirty, and even on the highest setting of the washing machine, the stains won't go away.
I kept some of their worn-out outfits instead of throwing them away, or you can get some cheap clothing from the thrift store mainly dedicated to this activity, so you won't feel guilty when they splash them with dirt.
Dirt
If you have a backyard, I am sure you would hate to see your kids make a hole in freshly cut grass or picking at your seasonal roses. If you have a corner of dirt that they can use, then great; otherwise, I would suggest purchasing a bag of soil (from home depot, Walmart, or even good old dollar tree) and spread it around in a kiddie pool, on the grass or in a bin.
One summer, I set up the dirt in a bin on my balcony, and it worked fine. You can also do it in the kitchen if you are limited in space.
Water
You need water to mix it with the dirt, and I let my children collect it and bring it with buckets so they can get some exercise along the way.
If you do it in the park, bring buckets to use the fountain or the creek nearby.
These are all the tools you need to ensure your children have fun and you have the least mess to worry about it. I also encourage the kids to include their toys as long as they make sure to wash them later.
Let's play!
Mud play is an activity that can extremely polyvalent. It could be a very fun activity for children to let loose and follow their imagination but also can be used as a learning lesson. As I mentioned before, it is important to set up in the intention with the goal in mind with this activity to make your life easier and get the most of the activities you plan with your children.
A fun and interactive play
Mud play is fun and accessible for all ages and levels. My children are at different ages, have different interests and personalities and it reflects in their way they approach the games. My little 4 year old would pretend to be a chef and mix it all together to make a cake. My 7 year old son loves to add his dinosaurs and give them a nice mud bath or that they are escaping from a terrible volcano explosion. My oldest daughter, who is 8, is more interested in feelings as she enjoys changing the consistency of the mud by diluting it and adding more dirt to it over and over again.
Mud play is fun and exciting as the children find freedom of expression and space in an open environment where their senses
Whatever they decide to do, it is their time, their world, and they are having with it without worrying about getting dirty because mommy said it's okay!
Consider these fun games to make mud play even more fun!
Give a mud bath to toys to cool them down in the summer.
There is no wrong approach to mud play! Let them have fun and enjoy the mess.
Learn with Mud Play
Wether you homeschool or not, Mud Play can also be used in a way to teach children many topics ranging from science to environment. Because the activity is centered around play, learning is easier and more engaging.
In this case, few steps can be taken before and after and the mud play to maximize this activity. Here's few examples
I lay down the utensils to engage the children with the tools they have to work with. This is a good time to show them that they can reuse and repurpose objects from around the house and discuss what they could do with each tool. This method, called "provocation" is used to "provoke" learning and interest through objects to expand interest. It's a method that is a part of the Reggio Emilia approach to child-centered education.
Include "the scientific approach " in the activity which consists of a series of questions and discussions that take place before, during and after the play. Start by asking questions about the dirt. How does the dirt feels? It is dry? is it wet? is it soft? What do they think would happen if we add water? Ask them what happened when they did. What are their conclusions. You can download here my free worksheet to help you with this activity.
There are many other experiments and topics can be explored such as:
Children can dig the ground to create a tunnel, a railway or a waterway.
Mud play is a great way to incorporate methods such as the "scientific method" or "provocation" to enhance your homeschooling journey.
Wether you use this activity for fun or learning, congratulations, you will be creating amazing moments for your children to remember.
The after play
The after play is in itself part of the mud play. Children enjoy removing dirty clothes, get cleaned, and put on nice clean clothes. They enjoy returning to their environment clean, which gives them a fresh look not only on the space they live and thrive.
This is why using appropriate clothing relieves your frustration. You don't have to scrub the dirt from their special outfits they wear going to the restaurant. Have the children help your rince the tools you use and put them away. No need to scrub them with soap, water would be enough. Put the tools away for another play date.
After the play and usually during snack time, I gave them each their notebooks to write or draw about the activity.
To conclude :
Mud play is truly an activity that has many benefits for children of all ages—a great way to get them out of the house and redirect them away from their screen. It is an activity that everyone can take part of while enjoying time outside.
As a mother, I know I hesitate to let them get dirty because I know it means cleaning for me but done right, it would be minimal maintenance for you and maximum fun and benefit for them!