Through outdoor play, children forge a connection with nature, developing a sense of wonder and appreciation for the world around them. The vastness of outdoor spaces encourage physical activity, refine gross motor skills, and ignite creativity in the open air. (The true benefits of outdoor play are so innumerable, its importance is hard to overstate!)

Capacity: 10kg of mud (Not supplied!) or 10 litres of water. Predrilled holes and easy slot frame for easy construction 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.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: You can attach a garden hose to the tap - hours of fun!" (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user DownWhichOfLate) Our verdict Age suitability: Most mud kitchens are suitable from three years of age, though a few come without accessories that suggest it would be ok from 18 months. Look at the height measurement in the product dimensions to ensure it will suit each of your children. There are lots of different kitchens to choose from at varying price points - we've rounded up 13 of the best mud kitchens for kids available to buy now. Best mud kitchens at a glance These mini outdoor kitchens replicate real culinary spaces, complete with sinks, stovetops, and shelves, and invite kids into a world of imaginative exploration and delightful messiness. They’re designed for outdoor play and generally made from wood with removable elements that are easy to hose down between play times. Where indoor play kitchens usually focus on role-playing and imaginative cooking scenarios with pretend food and utensils, mud kitchens are designed for messy outdoor play using natural materials like wood or recycled materials.

This fantastic kitchen has a clever working tap, two large chalkboards, a realistic four-ring hob and ample storage space. It also comes with robust stainless steel accessories that are fun to use and can be hung from handy hooks. Create a rough sketch of your design before you start, carefully considering the size and shape of your mud kitchen to ensure you have enough space. The TP Muddy Madness Mud Kitchen is a thoughtfully designed toy that encourages lots of creative play, from preparing ‘veg’ on the removable countertop to washing up in the large sink underneath. There’s plenty of room and a variety of play zones and activities, so up to three children can easily play together. Mumsnet has been helping parents make their lives easier since 2000 and, in that time, we've investigated, tried and reviewed thousands of products. The slide over wooden cover creates an extra cooking zone when extended. Room for up to 3 children to playLinseed or tung oil: a generally nontoxic easy way to create a water barrier over the wood; though you will need to re-oil every now and then The ultimate wooden mud kitchen with removable, robust plastic splash tub, painted hob rings and oven There’s also plenty of storage space, a four-ring hob with knobs and a built-in oven for baking mud pies. A robust stainless steel pan and utensils are included, and there’s a large chalkboard for practising menu writing. Mud kitchens come with tons of options, and are easily customized if you find one that meets your budget but is missing a feature. 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:

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:

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A mud kitchen is a play kitchen to be used outside, where children can use their imaginations to role-play and pretend to cook.

As the mother of two children, Erin and Neve, our writer Lucy was determined to provide honest and independent advice on the fantastic mud kitchens your little ones will love using. Key specs: Size: H x 105; W x 93.5; D x 52.5 cm | Material: Untreated wood | Accessories included: 8 stainless steel utensils | Age suitability: Three years and over | Assembly time: One hour plus What we love:Since children play at a mud kitchen you'll want an outdoor paint that is Greenguard Gold certified and as nontoxic as possible. What is the best wood for mud kitchens? For children, the summer holidays are all about playing outdoors with their toys. Kids love getting grubby in the garden, digging in the soil, collecting leaves and generally enjoying the freedom of playing outside — and a mud kitchen is one way to allow them to safely explore this urge. Key specs: Size: 79 x 68 x 30 cm | Material: Wood | Accessories included: Metal bowl and 2 x Pots | Age suitability: 3 years and over | Assembly time: Unspecified What we love: Mud kitchens provides hours of messy play and are a great time for your budding muddy chef to whip up batches of pine-cone soup and mud pies! The creative ideas are really limitless to your child's imagination!