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The pandemic and the lockdown that followed have changed all our lives in more ways than one. Gone are the days when we could meet up with our friends and family and be part of a social gathering of some sort. We have all been forced to restrict our social lives as much as we can and stay in our homes whenever possible. Needless to say, this has had a significant effect on most of our physical and mental well-being. So one could only imagine how hard it must be on children. The development of a kid’s physical and mental health is highly dependent on them being active and having a connection with nature and the outside world. So as parents, it is imperative that we provide them with ways to manifest those needs.
Why A Mud Kitchen
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We have all found a new appreciation for our gardens and backyards as these have become spaces where both kids and grown-ups spend their leisure time. A mud kitchen is the perfect setup for your kids to have ultimate fun outdoors. And since going out into a playground is not really an option for most, this backyard playset is perfect to satiate your kids’ need for adventure. Instead of sitting home all day glued to their phones and video games, your child can play around with sand and water, making various mud concoctions.
With the advent of technology, children hardly get an opportunity these days to stay away from their gadgets and play in the mud. However, a mud kitchen can help your kids get exposed to various sensory inputs and stay connected with nature. Apart from instilling a love for cooking, this imaginative role-play game enhances children’s creative and motor skills at a very young age. They learn basic physics, chemistry, and biology as they play around with different types of materials that include sticks, stones, minerals, and plants — apart from water and mud, of course. They also learn how to weigh, measure, and count while pretending to cook up stuff.
So What Exactly Is A Mud Kitchen?
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A mud kitchen is a setup that can either be created from scratch or bought as part of a playset. It comes with a small countertop and space to keep your pots and pans. Most play kitchens also have a hob for cooking or an oven space for baking. This adds a realistic touch so that kids can use bowls, water, and sand to perfectly imitate adults cooking in the kitchen.
A mud kitchen doesn’t have to be perfect for your little ones to have fun. In fact, it is always best to go for a rudimentary kitchen set that fosters your child’s creative and innovative side while at play.
How To Build A Mud Kitchen
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Now that you know what a mud kitchen is, let us tell you how to build one for your kid. While the most important elements are obviously going to be mud and water, make sure you have something that resembles a kitchen. Building a kitchen set shouldn’t require much effort other than a few drilling work. However, you could also easily get a set from a store that your kids love. Regardless of whether you get one from a store or create it yourself, there are a few characteristics that all of them have in common.
- Connection to water supply in the form of a tap, hose, or hand pump.
- A sink that comes with an added drainage system or is reconstructed from an existing model.
- A smooth countertop that is usually made of wood or plywood.
- Utensils that include measuring cups, mixing bowls, pots, and pans.
- Cupboard or shelf space and a few hooks for utensils and spoons.
Getting a store-bought mud kitchen set allows you to choose from a wide range of options in different colors and sizes. Some of the latest models also come with kitchen stools and other accessories. However, if you are planning on designing your own mud kitchen, you have the freedom to customize and paint it the way you want. Now that you know everything about this adventurous playset, we hope that your kids have a great summer this year despite the lockdown.
