Have you heard about the next big thing in outdoor play, the mud kitchen? They’re the perfect piece of outdoor equipment to get your children outside, having fun and enjoying the benefits of imaginative play and are a great addition to your garden – not least as you can ensure all the messy play gets done outside, not in your house!
Research tells us that the average child spends over a third of the day looking at screens and just 40 minutes outside. This means kids are less likely to get the recommended 60 minutes of vigorous exercise a day recommended for them by the NHS. It also means they miss out on all the benefits of spending time in nature, such as improved focus, learning responsibility and feeling lower levels of stress.
Mud kitchens encourage kids to not only spend more time outdoors, but they also offer various extra benefits that make them the essential next purchase for your backyard. Let’s take a closer look.
First Things First: What Is A Mud Kitchen?
A mud kitchen is, in essence, a small toy version of a kitchen. It can be played indoors, but most are designed to be enjoyed outdoors for complete, unrestrained, messy play.
More often than not, they will at the very least have several ‘washing tubs’ for kids to fill with water, sand or soil. You will also see vertical spaces with hooks for hanging accessories like utensils and pans, storing racks, ‘preparation space’ and then play versions of kitchen features like the cooker hob. Some mud kitchens can also come with faux washing machines, cookers and other appliances. There are also almost endless faux toasters, play food, mixers and more to add to the kitchen, although certain toys are more suitable for indoor play only.
Why Choose A Mud Kitchen?
Mud kitchens are fantastic for adding to a garden if you have young children. They enhance your outdoor space, so growing kids can get as much as possible out of their time in the backyard. If you’re not totally convinced yet, the following benefits of mud kitchens may change your mind.
Mud kitchens are great for facilitating and enhancing imaginative play They’re suitable for use in all weathers and all seasons, so your kids can make use of them all year round. They encourage kids to spend time outdoors and in nature, whilst also helping them develop fine and gross motor skills. They’re a cost-effective form of play equipment that they engage with safely in your own garden and one you can add to over time.
Mud kitchens really do offer a lot of benefits for the children who use them, so it’s no wonder they are so popular when it comes to outdoor play.
“Let nature be your teacher.” – William Wordsworth
If you’re considering buying a mud kitchen for your garden, do make sure you invest in the highest quality mud kitchen you can afford. This will ensure it is as safe, durable and well made as possible – perfect for hours and hours of messy play and fun in any weather, any season – what could be better for little learners excited to play outdoors?
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