A Mud Kitchen Challenge

A Mud Meal that Smells

It has been all about Mud Kitchens around here at Outdoor Classrooms. Today we are talking about incorporating Mud Kitchen Challenges into children’s Mud Play. Although, Mud Kitchens are famous for their opportunities for open-ended play; they can also be an ideal outdoor learning station.

Mud Kitchen Challenges are prompts that stretch children’s thinking. They invite children to take part in completing a series of tasks. Here is a sample that invites children to create a meal that smells.

Mud Kitchen Challenge: A Mud Meal that Smells

Step One: Talk to children about plants and flowers that smell. Collect berries, flowers, fresh cut grass, & herbs and share them with the children. Talk about the different smells and how the smells make them feel. Add these to your Mud Kitchen. Put them in baskets for easy access.

Step Two: Make a Mud Kitchen Challenge Card. If your children are too young to read, make cards using pictures. They can be simple. I recommend laminating the cards for future reference.

Step Three: Invite children to test their challenge. Let’s go!

Provide different size bowls.

Access to dirt.

Cook the meal.

Can you identify the plants that smell?

Now I want to hear from you. Did you make a Mud Kitchen Challenge? What was it? How did the kids respond? Do you want to learn more about Mud Kitchens? Check out the More Than Mud Pies: Making a Mud Kitchen e-Course. Learn More HERE!

Onward,

Victoria