Members of the Mumsnet community agree that a sturdy mud kitchen with lots of fun accessories is a great way to keep their children playing happily in the garden. So, we weighed the toys their toddlers have played with and loved, which they wholeheartedly recommend. Their experiences, including weatherproofing and cleaning advice and the mud kitchens which suit children of all ages, have informed our choices of the outdoor toys you should invest in. Expert opinions Whether or not your mud kitchen comes with some pots or pans, you’ll probably want to add some toy kitchenware to give your child even more to create mud masterpieces with:

Choosing Features/Areas Next you need to look at the features and areas the mud kitchen is divided into. Depending on your budget you will get more features and a larger playing surface as you go up in the range. Aside from space considerations, the size of your mud kitchen is also important for how many children can comfortably play with it. Our Triple Mud Kitchen for example can easily accommodate three children, whereas the single is better suited for one or two.Studies have shown that playing outdoors is fantastic for a child’s physical and mental well-being. Research by scientists at the University of Bristol has also suggested that getting their hands dirty can boost children's immune systems and makes them happier and more relaxed. What to look for when choosing a mud kitchen Cooking Area The basic areas such as the hob cooking surface are also an important consideration. Generally you will have two rings on your hob as standard with a small surface area to place objects on. However larger products will feature four rings - giving lots more surface area to have lots of different containers on the rings at once. Imaginative play has the benefits of fostering creativity by allowing children to act out situations they wouldn’t be able to in real life (not just yet anyway!)

The overall dimensions are important for fitting the product into the area you want to use it in the garden. You also get an idea of how big the surfaces are for putting your pots, pans and mixtures on. The great thing about the mud kitchens is they do go flat up against a wall/fence or boundary so you can fit them in some of the smallest spaces. These flexible areas offer children sensory, imaginative play that supports their development and learning throughout their childhood. Playing with a mud kitchen helps children connect with nature, and all that mixing and potion making is great for scientific exploration. Plus being outdoors is enormously good for children’s wellbeing and all-around health.

Where to buy a mud kitchen and accessories?

We offer a number of delivery options, depending on where you live and what is currently available. 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? Messy play is vital, but we don’t often encourage it for fear of the inevitable tidying up. The best mud kitchens provide a great alternative to playing indoors - a safe space for your child to mix potions and throw water about without restriction.