How to make mud pies
Kanika Banwait
Social WriterStuck for outdoor activity ideas? Let your kids be at one with nature by getting mucky with some mud ... yes, really! Making mud pies is a classic way for kids to have a blast, and best of all, the mess stays outside!
This page contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small amount of money if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our articles and reviews are written independently by the Netmums editorial team.
We know what you're thinking – let my kids slush around with soggy mud and then enter our home? Err, NO THANKS.
But letting them just play with mud is a free, albeit dirty, way of keeping them entertained for ages.
Not only do kids love a bit of messy play, but getting mucky in the mud can actually be good for their immune systems, by helping to build up their friendly bacteria.
Plus, it's loads of fun, gets them outside in the fresh air and uses their imagination.
When children play with natural resources, they explore all kinds of textures, sights, sounds – and even tastes in some cases!
There is method to mess though, so we've put together some helpful tips on how to make an impressive mud pie ...
What you'll need
- Dirt that's free from pebbles, sand or twigs
- A jug of water
- Bucket, bowl or tub for mixing in – you can buy well-priced bowls here at Amazon.
- A big spoon or twig for mixing
- A muffin or cupcake tin if you want to make mini pies - silicone versions are easier to use. See more details here at Amazon.
- Things to decorate like stones, pebbles, leaves, flowers and grass
How to make mud pies
- Add equal measures of dirt and water into a bucket.
- Mix it together using the big spoon. If the kids really want to get stuck in, they can use their hands to mix. Keep working at it until it feels a bit like bread dough.
- If it's too crumbly, simply add more water. If it's too wet, add some more dirt.
- Keep kneading the muddy mixture until it's firm enough to make into a sausage shape.
- Divide the mud up and roll it into balls.
- Put the mud balls into the cupcake tin and flatten them down a bit.
- Decorate with pebbles, leaves, flowers or whatever you want.
It's as simple as that!
Or just give your kids some bowls and water, and let their imaginations run riot. See who can make the prettiest pie, or build the highest mud tower.
Another way to create something with mud is by making mud biscuits instead. Just roll out the mixture until it's about two centimetres thick and cut it into circles.
More great mud pie tips
It probably goes without saying but this is an activity best done outdoors. Dress in old clothes or cover the kids' clothes with an apron to avoid them looking like they've been through a mud shower.
Before you get started on the 'baking', you could get the kids to write down a recipe first so they can practice following a method. Or if you've given them instructions, it'll be a test to see how well they follow them.
And remind everyone involved not to put the mud anywhere near their mouths! A tiny bit won't do any harm, but actively eating mud isn't good for your little one.
It may also help to set up a little cleaning-up station by the back door, so kids can get mud off their hands and change muddy clothes before coming back in.
If you want to look into more fun with mud, check out some kid-friendly science experiments here.
Making mud pies was listed as one of the 50 things kids should do before they're five. How many has your child done? Let us know in the forum, below.
Related stories
50 fun things kids should try before the age of 5
CHAT: How many things has your 5-year-old done?
45 outdoor activities for kids in lockdown
This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small amount of money if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our articles and reviews are written independently by the Netmums editorial team.
