If you're buying your first mud kitchen, the TP toys early fun mud kitchen is a good starting point with a low price point. Where to buy a mud kitchen and accessories? 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

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. Key specs: Size: 31 x 55 x 56 cm | Material: Wood | Accessories included: starter set of stainless steel pans with mixing whisk | Age suitability: Three years and over | Assembly time: Unspecified What we love: I still recommend that you watch the videos below. They will give you heaps of ideas. Building a mud kitchen as a gift? A mud kitchen is essentially about cooking up grubby fun. Your kids can sauté leaves, oven-bake mud pies and wash up after your garden gnomes have devoured the meal.We are a family run business. Mud kitchens are handmade in both the Southern Highland & Far South Coast, NSW. Buy square, not round bowls (too hard), and cut squares out of coffee table - needs electric saw, borrow one if necessary. Key specs: Size: 110.5 x 43 x 90.5 cm | Material: Wood | Accessories included: Large splash tub | Age suitability: 18 months and over | Assembly time: Unspecified What we love: If you haven’t heard all the wonderful ways mud kitchens support your little ones, here’s a brief overview. Mud kitchens help children:

This really depends on whether your child likes imaginative play and making a mess! It may be worth investigating how your kids react to this kind of play before making the investment, for example by putting a bowl and utensils in the garden for them initially to see what they do. A mud kitchen is a play kitchen to be used outside, where children can use their imaginations to role-play and pretend to cook.How much you spend on a mud kitchen depends on your budget and what features you require in a mud kitchen. Cupboards and Storage So you are buying the kitchen as a fun play experience for your child. Have you considered the practical storage solution this can offer to you and your family as somewhere to keep all their little play bits? All the pots and pans, cups, chalk, watering cans and anything else that may otherwise be strewn around your lawn? Having shelves and/or cupboards in your mud kitchen can keep your garden or play area much tidier than it once was. So this is not just for the kids after all. Having lots of places to put all their bits and pieces right inside their play kitchen also means it is much much easier for them to find everything they need when they are outside playing - win win!

Mud kitchens vary quite a bit in height – it’s worth finding a kitchen that has a countertop that’s level with your children’s hips. This will make it comfortable and easy for them to access the various areas. Cupboards, although not essential, are often a nice thing to have in a mud kitchen – it mimics a real kitchen, so invites children to engage in imaginative play. 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. We are commonly asked to recommend our mud kitchens based on age ranges. However, it is much more important to consider their height. Use a tape measure to establish a suitable playing surface height for your child. just above their elbow is a good starting point - this means there’s room to grow, although if they are taller (or a sibling is) they won’t ‘lose out’ if they are a bit taller! Water Features Quality mud kitchens will come with a working tap which you can connect to your garden hose. It is also great if it features a separate water dispenser and basin. The use of water in your play sessions is really important, so make sure these parts are substantial. Ideally the tap needs to be made of brass or a similar durable material.

Choosing Features/Areas

Please note timber naturally weathers over time, particularly when exposed to full sun & water for long lengths at a time. ** Plus, it being in the garden allows kids the freedom to make a mess and it doesn't matter as much as it does inside the house. How much does a mud kitchen cost?

We were surprised at how great the wood was once made, it's solid timber and looks like it would last.” (Brand recommended by Mumsnet user BunnyBerries) Our verdict We would suggest when you have your choices narrowed down, show your child pictures and see which one they engage with. This isn’t of course a requirement for surprise presents!The ideas I have listed below might make you feel out of your depth but a mud kitchen doesn’t have to cost a lot or take a huge amount of time to make. A selection of treated wood (quantity will depend upon the size of the mud kitchen you plan to make) Key specs: Size: 160 x 66 x 116cm| Material: Wood | Accessories included: Stainless steel pots and pans; gardening tools; perspex screen; glass pens; wind chimes | Age suitability: Three years and over | Assembly time: Unspecified What we love: Materials: Mud kitchens are usually made from wood as it’s attractive and sturdy, and if it has been treated with weatherproof varnish by you or the manufacturer, it will be protected from wind, rain and snow for at least two years. If you’re interested in sustainability, look for products made from FSC-certified wood. The idea is to use primarily mud or sand to play with but kids can also use anything they can find outside such as leaves, flowers, twigs, pebbles and more.