Makeshift Mud Kitchen

Looking to get your kids outside more? A mud kitchen could be a great solution for you. Only problem is, buying a pre-built one can be pretty expensive, and if it isn’t, you could be compromising on quality which might not be a great investment for outdoor equipment. We have a solution though- build your own! But what even is a mud kitchen?

A mud kitchen, as the name suggests, is a toy kitchen built specifically for outdoor use so your kids can play-pretend cooking with outdoor scavenged materials, including but not limited to mud (mud pies galore!). Depending on your handiness you could very well build your own kitchen set from scratch, but that’s not required. The main goal of a mud kitchen is to be fun and easily accessible while being easy enough to clean and durable, which a standard toy kitchen probably isn’t built for.

You can use just about anything as a base for your kitchen, be it an old coffee table, dresser, or even something you built yourself! Adding a backboard can also add to the authenticity of it being a kitchen, as well as giving you space to add hooks and things for utensils and tools, not to mention helping contain the mess. If you’re up for it, you can also try your hand at installing a plastic or metal tub to act as a sink, and some knobs and painted wood for a stovetop and oven! You could even try adding some drawers if you’re in an especially crafty mood. You can also use old sinks and cook tops as well if you have any on hand- just make sure they’re clean and safe for play. Of course, one of the most important parts of any kitchen is your instruments. Some spoons, spatulas, whisks, bowls, and whatever you can spare will make your mud kitchen a place where your kid can craft some true masterpieces.

If you plan to build from scratch, make sure to use actual wood planks, and not plywood- it does not handle exposure well and rots fairly quickly. It is also recommended to seal your kitchen with varnish or other products to extend its longevity and make cleaning a bit easier- it’ll look nicer too! Finally, make sure it’s in a fairly level area that is easily and safely accessible so it’s stable and able to be easily maintained if necessary. Good luck moms!

By Mattie Peri, Editorial Intern