mud pie

Mud pies are composed of a mixture of water and soil. Other ingredients are sometimes added to the basic water and soil mixture such as plants and pebbles. The 'pie' will stay together if the mud is sticky – similar to bread dough. In addition to mud pies, children often create other structures like mud sandwiches and mud-based tea parties.

Creating a mud pie can be a very enjoyable activity and is thought to nurture the imagination of a child.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kidspot.com.au/things-to-do/activity-articles/making-mud-pies/news-story/a7de624576be1a600bc18f40fd7b28e1?|title=Making mud pies|website=www.kidspot.com.au|language=en|access-date=2018-04-23}} Making mud pies allows the exploration of textures, and establishes the basis of scientific reasoning as they change the variables such as the addition of less water or even freezing the mixture. Some children do not enjoy the activity.{{Cite news|url=https://mudmates.co.nz/blog-are-mud-pies-waterproof/|title=Are Mud Pies Waterproof? How to make the best mud pies!|date=2016-04-20|work=Mud Mates|access-date=2018-04-23|language=en-US}} A child may hesitate to "get dirty."

Many people recall this childhood activity with fondness.{{Cite news|url=https://weather.com/en-CA/canada/outdoors/news/2018-04-10-mud-pies|title=Get Muddy with These Outdoor Activities |work=The Weather Channel|access-date=2018-04-28|language=en-US}} An author recounts: "As a child, I was drawn to mud. Some of my fondest childhood memories saw me covered in the stuff, head to toe."{{Cite web|url=https://www.natureplayqld.org.au/article/why-playing-in-the-mud-is-more-than-just-fun|title=Why Playing in the Mud is More than just FUN! |website=www.natureplayqld.org.au|language=en|access-date=2018-05-03|date=2018-01-24}}

Digging a small hole, adding water and stirring with a stick is one method used by children to create the mud pie.{{Cite news|url=https://rhythmsofplay.com/mud-pie-nature-art-sensory-activity/|title=How to a Make Mud Pie: Nature Art Activity for Kids |date=2018-04-21|work=Rhythms of Play|access-date=2018-04-23|language=en-US}} Some choose to organize a party or event for children with creating mud pies as part of the activities.{{Cite web|url=http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2012/06/play-in-mud-set-up.html|title=Play in the Mud – The Set Up|website=www.growingajeweledrose.com|access-date=2018-04-23}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.natureplayqld.org.au/things-to-do/mud-world-festival-for-kids|title=Mud World Festival for kids|website=www.natureplayqld.org.au|language=en|access-date=2018-05-03|date=2017-11-07|archive-date=2019-11-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102211054/https://www.natureplayqld.org.au/things-to-do/mud-world-festival-for-kids|url-status=dead}} The benefits of making mud pies include strengthening the sense of touch and developing "true" creativity.{{Cite news|url=https://tinkergarten.com/activities/making-mud|title=Tinkergarten Activities – Mud Play|access-date=2018-04-23}} Some take a more formal approach to the activity and dedicate children's play spaces to the making of mud pies.{{Cite news|url=https://mysmallpotatoes.com/2012/03/24/build-a-mudpie-station/|title=Build a Mudpie Station…|date=2012-03-25|work=Small Potatoes|access-date=2018-04-23|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.1001gardens.org/2014/07/20-mud-kitchen-ideas/|title=Top 20 of Mud Kitchen Ideas for Kids {{!}} Garden Ideas |date=2014-07-19|work=1001 Gardens|access-date=2018-04-23|language=en-US}} A mud pie kitchen (sometimes just called mud kitchen) can be created to make other mud play 'food', these can be adapted from indoor play kitchens or appear similar, built personally or bought commercially.{{Cite web |title=Mud Kitchen Ideas for Kids {{!}} BBC Gardeners World Magazine |url=https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/diy/outdoor-mud-kitchen/ |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=www.gardenersworld.com |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.earlychildhoodireland.ie/work/quality-practice/play/mud-play/|title=Mud Play – Early Childhood Ireland|access-date=2018-05-04|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503021947/https://www.earlychildhoodireland.ie/work/quality-practice/play/mud-play/|url-status=dead}} A mud center can be created in a school setting. Some teachers are able to incorporate art and music into mud pie-making activities during school.{{Cite news|url=https://www.preschool-plan-it.com/mud-theme.html|title=Mud Theme for Preschool|work=Preschool Plan It|access-date=2018-04-23}}

Other ingredients have been proposed, including:{{Cite web|url=http://www.letthechildrenplay.net/2010/08/making-mud-pies.html|title=Making mud pies|website=www.letthechildrenplay.net|access-date=2018-04-23}}

• sawdust
• eggshells
• orange peel
• crushed leaves
• sand

Washing up afterwards is to be expected.

Some desserts made out of crushed cookies and other ingredients are called mud pies or puddings.{{Cite news|url=https://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/mud-pie/|title=Mud Pie|date=2017-08-04|work=Favorite Family Recipes|access-date=2018-04-23|language=en-US}}

• Dirt cake, an edible dessert somewhat resembling a mud pie
• Boryeong Mud Festival
• Dorodango, moulding earth and water into polished spheres
• Mud cookie

{{reflist|30em}}

Category:Play (activity)

Category:Childhood

Category:Learning