10 of the best mud kitchens for kids


by motherandbaby |
Updated on

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.

The best mud kitchen deals

Black Friday may be over but these deals aren't:

Save £80: Plum Discovery Mud Pie Kitchen - WAS £299, NOW £219 at Plum Play

33% OFF: TP Early Fun Mud Kitchen Playhouse Accessory - WAS £44.99, NOW £29.99 at TPToys

20% OFF: Dreamon Toy Kitchen Set - WAS £16.99, NOW £13.59 on Amazon

Best mud kitchen at a glance:

Best overall mud kitchen: TP Toys Mud Kitchen - Buy now on Amazon UK.
Best explorative mud kitchen: Plum Discovery Mud Pie Kitchen - Buy now on Plum Play.
Best mud kitchen with working tap: Big Game Hunters Mud Kitchen with Working Tap - Buy now on Amazon UK.
Best mud kitchen that attaches to walls: TP Early Fun Mud Kitchen Playhouse Accessory - Buy now on TP Toys.

Best overall mud kitchen

Best mud kitchen TP Toys Mud KitchenImage: Amazon
Price: $270.42
https://redirect.viglink.com?key=eb32892e8a408657289072c26bd927b5&prodOvrd=PCR&opt=false&u=DRZHQksDHUpPFkMeT1dZWlNKTR5UXQ4dXxJLfVdbFx0HHmVXVlYAVkx7RUxSWlhAFWlcVktOf0MGSXJbQwENB10fT1BGDRVXGWBRU1ZSH3laU1JBEF1EG0lqV0NPBAxXH2pcUwkVNltCU19bUB9rUF5cHwFLGzY0FGZYGxZNBAQBDgpcAFIB&x=v1&prdId=11147869719&barcode=VVILBQ0NA1cIUQIBCgY%3D

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
Dimensions:96 x 40 x 96cm
Materials:Wood
Suitable for ages:36 months+
Assembly required:Yes
Accessories included:Yes
  • 4 x hob rings
  • Blackboard
  • Open and shut oven

Best explorative mud kitchen

Best mud kitchen Plum Discovery Mud Pie KitchenImage: PlumPlay
Price: $219.99 (was £299.99)

www.plumplay.co.uk

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
Dimensions:Wood
Material:161 x 62 x 114cm
Suitable for ages:3+ years
Assembly required:Yes
Accessories included:Yes
  • 3 x tinker pots
  • Wooden shelves
  • Built in planter
  • Outdoor sink bowl
  • Painting screen

Best sheltered mud kitchen

Best mud kitchen Costway Wooden Mud KitchenImage:diy.com

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
Dimensions:114 x 48 x 66cm
Material:Plywood
Suitable for ages:3+ years
Assembly required:Yes
Acessories included:Yes
  • 1 x play cart
  • 1 x removable umbrella
  • 1 x kitchen whisk
  • 2 x stainless steel pans
  • 2 x stainless steel pot

Best handmade mud kitchen

Best mud kitchen Mud Kitchen With Pitched RoofImage: Etsy

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
Dimensions:175 x 50 x 40cm
Material:Treated timber and stainless steel
Suitable for ages:N/A
Assembly required:Yes
Accessories included:No
  • 1 x water or sand tub
  • Realistic hob knobs
  • Handmade

Best stylish mud kitchen

Best mud kitchen Janod Muddy LabImage: Amazon
Price: $109.99

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
Dimensions:77 x 35 x 95cm
Material:Wood, plastic and metal
Suitable for ages:3 to 5 years
Assembly required:Yes
Accessories included:Yes
  • 10 x accessories
  • Practical storage
  • Working tap
  • 1 x blackboard

Best mud kitchen with working tap

Best mud kitchen Big Game Hunters Mud Kitchen with Working TapImage: Amazon
Price: $91.99

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
Dimensions:80 x 45 x 87.5cm
Materials:Wood
Suitable for ages:18+ months
Assembly required:Yes
Accessories included:N/A
  • Working tap
  • Splash tub
  • Chalkboard

Best basic mud kitchen

Best mud kitchen Chad Valley Wooden Mud KitchenImage: Argos

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
Dimensions:105 x 93.5 x 52.5cm
Material:N/A
Suitable for ages:3+ years
Assembly required:Yes
Accessories included:8 pieces
  • 8 x kitchen utensils

Best mud kitchen that attaches to walls

36% off

Best mud kitchen TP Early Fun Mud Kitchen Playhouse AccessoryImage: TPToys
Price: $28.99 (was £44.99)

www.tptoys.com

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
Dimensions:55 x 31 x 56cm
Material:Wood
Suitable for ages:3+ years
Assembly required:Yes
Accessories included:Yes
  • 1 x bowl for water, sand or mud
  • Accessories included
  • Water butt with tap

Best mud kitchen with sand play

Children's Outdoor Play Kitchen with Sand Play and SandpitImage: Etsy

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
Dimensions:41 x 79 x 88cm
Material:Wood
Suitable for ages:18+ months
Assembly required:Yes
Accessories included:Yes
  • 1 x chalkboard
  • 1 x sandpit
  • 1 x removable sink
  • 1 x sand play funnel
  • 3 x hooks

Best mud kitchen with integrated shelves

Rebo Muddy Mischief Childrens Outdoor Mud Kitchen Sand PitImage: diy.com

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
Dimensions:N/A
Material:Wood
Suitable for ages:3+ years
Assembly required:Yes
Accessories included:No
  • Integrated shelves
  • Pressure treated timber
  • Bowl Included
  • Sturdy construction

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.

How we test and choose recommended products

Our product recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers and the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists. Where we can, we also consult experts who specialise in that field to ensure you get the right advice along with the right product, and we listen to what you say as well.

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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.

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