If you're looking for something other than just toys for your child, then a garden mud kitchen for kids is a great play alternative.
We all love our children to play outside and enjoy being in the garden, but even with fun outdoor toys, kids are still always drawn to playing with mud. That's where a mud kitchen and other fun and creative garden activities for kids can come in handy. It gives your child a designated and safe space to play with mud and use their imagination to create fun mud mixtures.
A mud kitchen is also a great form of sensory play for toddlers and kids, which is great for helping their development. Mud kitchen's for kids also comes in a range of different sizes and styles and some even have lots of accessories included, so you'll be bound to find one that'll last your child as they grow.
Best mud kitchen at a glance:
• Best overall mud kitchen: TP Toys Mud Kitchen - buy here on Amazon.
• Best explorative mud kitchen: Plum Discovery Mud Pie Kitchen - buy here on Plum Play.
• Best mud kitchen with working tap: Big Game Hunters Mud Kitchen with Working Tap - buy here on Amazon.
• Best mud kitchen that attaches to walls: TP Early Fun Mud Kitchen Playhouse Accessory - buy here on TP Toys.
Best overall mud kitchen
Description
The TP Toys Mud Kitchen can provide hours of entertainment for little ones. Made from timber, it has an oven with door, removable splash tub and even a slide-over cover that creates an extra cooking zone when extended. There's a roomy undershelf to store pots and pans, and it even comes with a set of stainless steel pans and a whisk.
One review said: "My son loves this kitchen. It's a very well thought out design for a toddler. I think the cupboard, the sliding top and the bucket water tap makes this mud kitchen stand out from the others on the market. My son loves all those extra little features. It is a pain to assemble and it takes a while (for a novice). Annoyingly, I had to re-drill a few of the pilot holes. But the instructions are easy enough to follow. Definitely worth the hassle to build because my son loves playing with it and it's good quality so will last a while."
Pros
- Lots of fun play elements
- Slide over wooden cover for extra play space
- Durable
Cons
- Some mentioned that assembly wasn't easy
Best explorative mud kitchen
www.plumplay.co.uk
Description
The Plum Discovery Mud Pie Kitchen has everything you want in a mud kitchen and more. There is a mini growing station with trellis so your little one can grow their own plants, and there is a clear paint window, bamboo wind chimes for sensory play as well as an outdoor sink bowl with accessories.
One review said: "Bought this for our granddaughter's birthday and she absolutely loves it. Have used Plum several times and will continue to use them. Good quality, great prices."
Pros
- Can create a mini growing station
- Perfect for sensory play too
- Made from sustainably sourced timber
Cons
- No onsite reviews
Best sheltered mud kitchen
www.diy.com
Description
The Costway Wooden Mud Kitchen comes with wheels for portability and even an umbrella to protect your little one from sunlight or drizzle. It comes with five accessories that can be used to whisk up mud pies, and thanks to the wheels on the bottom the cart can even be moved.
Pros
- Umbrella for shelter
- Easy to move
- Unique design
Cons
- No onsite reviews
Best handmade mud kitchen
www.etsy.com
Description
Ignite your little one’s imagination as they set up home with this Mud Kitchen with Blackboard and Sand Table. There’s a hob turns, two sinks and even a sand or water tub. We love that this is handmade and all the wood is treated to ensure that it's a long lasting outdoor toy.
One review said: "We fell in love with this mud kitchen when we saw it online and it completely lived up to expectations. We needed a wider one for our two boys. It arrived on the day I needed it to and it was super easy to build with great instructions. Would highly recommend it! It’s so much more special than one we could have bought in a shop!"
Pros
- Handmade
- Water or sand tub included
- Spacious design
Cons
- It is a larger design so you might need to check the size of the space you need it for
Best stylish mud kitchen
Description
The Janod Muddy Lab is a lovely mud kitchen that not only looks good, but also encourages imaginative play. It helps to stimulate curiosity and exploration, with accessories to support play, including pots, a sieve, brush and water tub.
One review said: "High-quality mud kitchen, easy to assemble and looks good."
Pros
- Stylish
- Durable
- Plenty of learning accessories
Cons
- There's only one sink compared to others
Best mud kitchen with working tap
Description
Featuring a working tap, reusable chalkboard, sliding drainboard and storage shelf, this Big Game Hunters Mud Kitchen with Working Tap ticks a lot of boxes. It has smooth surfaces for safety, and the natural colour of the mud kitchen means it can also be painted to any weather-proof colour you'd like.
One customer said: "I purchased this for my grandson and he loves it! His dad assembled it and he’s great at DIY so it wasn’t an issue but it still took him an hour or so. It’s sturdy, safe and does exactly what it says on the box!"
Pros
- Real working tap
- Sturdy construction
Cons
- Doesn't include accessories
Best basic mud kitchen
www.argos.co.uk
Description
A simple design, the Chad Valley Wooden Mud Kitchen still has plenty of play opportunities. There are two sink bowls for mixing up batches of mud, plus a hob area, and hooks to hang the eight utensils that are included.
One review said: "I bought this for my granddaughters birthday, she absolutely loves it. Lots of accessories and a good price." Another wrote: "We bought this for our Grandson’s third birthday, he loves making mud pies. Sure it will give him and his sisters hours of fun"
Pros
- Comes with 8 accessories
- Hooks to hang utensils
- Plenty of space
Cons
- Needs to be stored properly when not in use
Best mud kitchen that attaches to walls
www.tptoys.com
Description
This isn’t a mud kitchen by itself, but attaches to a playhouse or other structure or wall to create a mud-kitchen add-on. A great idea if you already have a play area set up in your garden, or if you don’t have a lot of space for a normal one. The TP Early Fun Mud Kitchen Playhouse Accessory includes a removable water bowl, a refillable water butt with working tap, plus pans and a whisk.
One review said: "Bought this for my 2 year old grandson and he absolutely loves it. I have 3 other grandchildren ages 8 and 6 and they have created some interesting make believe games whilst playing with it too."
Pros
- Attaches where you want
- Environmentally friendly
- Water butt with tap
Cons
- Might not be easy to cover through bad weather
Best mud kitchen with sand play
www.etsy.com
Description
The Children's Outdoor Play Kitchen with Sand Play and Sandpit is a great two-in-one kitchen. The addition of the sandpit means your child can keep any mud and sand separate from the kitchen! It also comes with a chalkboard and removable sink.
One review said: "Really impressed with the quality of this kitchen. It’s a Christmas gift for my daughter which she has been given early, as it’s absolutely delightful! Beautifully made!"
Pros
- Comes with a play sandpit
- Accessories included
- Hours of fun
Cons
- Might need to treat the wood with weather resistant coating
Best mud kitchen with integrated shelves
www.diy.com
Description
The Rebo Muddy Mischief Childrens Outdoor Mud Kitchen Sand Pit has treated wood so that it last longer outdoors. It has integrated shelves for storing pots and pans on and any mud kitchen creations that your little one makes. It also has a removable sink tub, so it can be easily cleaned.
Pros
- It has integrated shelfs
- Sturdy design
- Treated wood for longer lasting
Cons
- Dimensions not stated
Best mud kitchen accessories
Best mud kitchen accessories
www.etsy.com
Description
Available to digitally download or receive as an printed item, this set of 11 Mud Kitchen Recipe Cards will inspire your little one to explore and discover ingredients from the cards in their own garden.
One review said: "Fantastic product for a great price. I personalised mine too to have boys name on it. 100% recommend."
Pros
- Option to personalise
- Digital or printed available
Cons
- There is a price difference between digital and printed cards
What is a mud kitchen?
A mud kitchen is typically the same as a children's play kitchen, but it is used outdoors for creating mud pies and exploring nature. It helps to encourage imaginative and explorative play, as your child cooks up muddy meals in pots, pans and bowls. It's a great form of sensory play.
What to look for when choosing a mud kitchen
There are loads of wonderful mud kitchen for kids available to buy and there are a few things to consider before you invest:
Price: you can spend a lot on a mud kitchen, but work out your budget first and think of how much time and enjoyment your child will get out of it. If your little one hasn’t shown much interest in getting their hands dirty in the garden, then maybe start off small to make sure they’ll really enjoy it.
Space: how much room do you have in your garden for a mud kitchen? Measure out space before you buy, and choose somewhere it will fit. It's always good to check out the size before you buy a mud kitchen.
Materials: what is the mud kitchen made from? Most are made from wood but check whether the product says it is weatherproof and if the wood has been treated or not. This is important if it’s going to be sitting in the garden.
Accessories: does the mud kitchen come equipped? Do you want a chalkboard built-in or other features? Find out exactly what you’re getting for your money before you press ‘BUY’.
What are the benefits of a mud kitchen?
Playing with mud can create an instant connection to nature, which is something we all want to encourage our children to do. Your little one can make mud pies, mud cakes decorated with sticks and leaves, create a whole dinner party for your friends with mud pasta covered in flowers that are collected from around the garden.
It also encourages your child to explore their surroundings and encourages their curiosity. It's also great for supporting imaginative play.
Samantha Ball is a Commercial Content Writer and freelanced for the Mother&Baby website for two years before joining the team full-time. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best products and cute outfits.