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Best mud kitchens for inspiring children's creativity and imagination
From making mud pies, foraging for ingredients and washing up afterwards, a mud kitchen can encourage all kinds of creative play, from sensory to scientific. Here's our pick of the best mud kitchens to add to your garden, as recommended by real parents.
By Lucy Cotterill | Last updated Jun 20, 2024
Messy play is vital, but we don’t often encourage it for fear of the inevitable tidying up. The best mud kitchens provide a great alternative to playing indoors - a safe space for your child to mix potions and throw water about without restriction.
Playing outdoors and getting their hands on mud, leaves, and grass is also vital for the health and well-being of children, who so often spend their lives cocooned indoors. Whether they're cooling off playing with a garden hose, tearing about on their best trike or learning RC car tricks with friends, being outdoors is an essential part of childhood. Stretching their imaginations with a mud kitchen can also boost the immune system, and help them develop a deep connection with nature.
Mud kitchens are designed to be used outdoors, making them more robust than indoor play kitchens. From piling up pots, pans and bowls, to ‘cooking’ their mud pies on the hob, some mud kitchens even have working taps too, meaning the opportunities to express themselves are pretty endless.
Whether it’s a budget-friendly mud kitchen, a mud kitchen with a tap or even a mud kitchen big enough for siblings to share, here's our pick of the best mud kitchens to buy this year.
Big enough for siblings to share
High-quality sustainable wood
One year guarantee
Long assembly time (but worth the wait)
Key specs: Price on writing: £147 | Size: H96 x W96 x D40cm | Material: FSC-certified wood | Accessories included: Stainless steel pots and pans | Age suitability: Three years and over | Assembly time: Two hours
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.
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.
Crafted from FSC-certified wood and built to last, this mud kitchen doesn’t come cheap, but we think it’s well worth the money. Easy to assemble, thanks to clear and concise instructions, your child’s new toy will be up and ready to play with within just a couple of hours.
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Affordable and good value for money
Four hooks for storing pots and pans (sold separately)
Compact design ideal for smaller outdoor spaces
No additional accessories included
Price on writing: £60 | Size: H93.5, W77, D31.8cm | Material: Wood | Accessories included: Metal basin sink | Age suitability: 3 years and over | Assembly time: Unspecified
If you’re looking to add a mud kitchen to your garden but don’t have a huge budget to spend, this small wooden mud kitchen from Chad Valley offers excellent value for money. It includes fun features such as a blackboard for menu writing, easily accessible storage hooks and a removable metal basin sink, allowing your child to take on the role of head chef and mix up their favourite natural ingredients.
It’s worth noting that this mud kitchen is relatively small in size, so we feel it’s best suited to a single child rather than siblings and groups. It also doesn’t include any additional accessories, so you will need to invest in a few pots and pans which can be hung from the hooks when not in use.
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Compact design ideal for smaller spaces
Portable design with wheels
Accessories included
Includes slot for a water hose
Small design less suited to groups or siblings
Costly for a compact choice
Price on writing: £149 | Size: 58 x 56 x 88 cm | Material: Natural, untreated, solid wood | Accessories included: Removable mud bowl and two storage bins | Age suitability: 3 years and over | Assembly time: Unspecified
If you’re looking for a mud kitchen for smaller spaces such as courtyards, balconies or bijou gardens, the Small Foot Compact Wooden Mud Kitchen is ideal. As the name suggests, it has a small footprint as well as robust wheels for extra portability.
While the compact design is less suited to be shared by groups of friends and siblings, we love the natural solid wood of this design which can be treated and painted to prolong its life. It also comes with a removable sink and two storage bins, which can be used to store sand, toys or stash pots and pans (sold separately). Want to add water to the mix? Simply slot the hose pipe through the slot in the table to create an easily accessible tap.
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FSC certified wood
Includes working sink (water pump)
Accessories included
Blackboard space
Relatively low height
Price on writing: £80 | Size: L55 x W33.5 x H88cm | Material: FSC certified wood | Accessories included: Stainless steel pans with mixing whisk | Age suitability: 3 years plus | Assembly time: Unspecified
Parents will love this versatile mud kitchen which is relatively quick and simple to assemble thanks to its predrilled holes and easy slot frame. The FSC-certified wood also comes treated, meaning it’s ready to face the elements from the moment you’ve brought it to life.
We love the range of accessories - including a whisk, selection of pots and pans and a small blackboard space for adding their dish of the day. The TP Splash and Play Mud Kitchen also features an innovative pump and play sink - allowing children to add water and create a more realistic kitchen environment for open-ended play.
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TP Toys Kitchen Playhouse Accessory
Includes starter set of pans
Can be attached to a fence or shed for those with limited space
Compact design makes it less easy to share with friends
Hob rings need to be painted on using the stencil
Price on writing: £40 | 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
If you’re limited on space in your garden, this wall-mounted ‘bolt-on’ makes a great alternative to a free-standing mud kitchen. It comes with a starter set full of pans and a whisk, so your kids can get creative straight away. The water butt and large sink are also ideal for washing and rinsing away.
By its very nature, however, this is a compact mud kitchen, so you may find siblings occasionally squabbling over the sink. You will also need some paint to add features such as the hob rings, for which a stencil is included.
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Play house and mud kitchen in one
Half stable door
Great for imaginative role play including shops and kitchens
Metal pots and pans included
Less suited to smaller garden spaces
Costly
Price on writing: £180 | Size: H137.9, W136.5, D95.5cm | Material: FSC Certified Wood | Accessories included: Metal pots and pans and four litre sink | Age suitability: 18 months plus | Assembly time: Two adults estimated build time two hours
While it doesn’t come cheap, this two-in-one playhouse and mud kitchen offers excellent overall value for money, allowing children to use their imagination and act out a variety of role play scenarios including shops, cafes and kitchens.
With plenty of space for siblings and friends to play together, the TP Wooden Cubby house is made from treated FSC certified wood, which can even be painted to personalise their space.
The attached mud kitchen comes with a four litre capacity sink and a selection of pots and pans for use on the hob. With plenty of space for dens, a half stable door, it makes the perfect base to let their imaginations run wild.
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Excellent value for money
Easy assembly
One year guarantee
Wood is untreated
Price on writing: £125 | 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
The Chad Valley Wooden Mud Kitchen is an attractive toy with rustic styling and thoughtful features. It has two small metal sinks that can be removed easily for draining and cleaning and are great for two children playing together side by side.
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.
This affordable mud kitchen is simple to construct and feels super sturdy. The wood is solid and robust but is untreated, so it needs a coat of weatherproof paint or varnish or to be covered up when not in use.
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Plum Discovery Mud Pie Kitchen
Robust, sturdy wood
Wide range of included accessories
Perspex screen for creativity
Costly
Price on writing: £200 | 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
The Plum Discovery Mud Kitchen is a luxury product that is gorgeous to look at, as well as being super sturdy and packed with fantastic play features. It has a double raised ring hob with movable dials, lots of storage, plant pots, a deep metal sink, a perspex screen for menu planning and a cute wind chime next to the ‘window.’
This great mud kitchen combines kitchen play, gardening and art. Gardening tools, glass pens, and stainless steel pots and pans are included, so your child can start playing as soon as it’s built. Assembling this detailed and robust kitchen takes time and patience. However, once the weatherproofed wooden structure is up, it feels solid and will last for years of consistent play in the great outdoors.
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Pressure treated timber
1-year guarantee
The inclusionion of a bench makes it great to share with friends
No additional accessories included
Price on writing: £160 | Size: H105 x W127 x L90cm | Material: Wood | Accessories included: Metal bowl | Age suitability: Three years and over | Assembly time: Not specified
If you’re lucky enough to have a spacious garden, you may want to invest in a larger mud kitchen that offers more creative and versatile play options for your children. The Rebo Muddy Mischief Mud Kitchen is a great solution. Made from robust, all-weather, pressure-treated timber, it offers plenty of space for groups of friends to play together.
We love the 360-degree play element of this mud kitchen, which is ideal for role-playing or ‘serving customers’. Children can ‘place their order’ at the window, before taking a seat on the bench whilst the chef rustles up their finest creations. The set doesn’t include pans, so you may need to consider this when considering the overall cost.
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High quality treated wood
Selection of accessories included
Large enough for siblings to play side by side
Cute features including plant holder and storage hooks
Although treated, it’s recommended to cover when not in use.
Tap doesn't work
Price on writing: £96 | Size: 83 x 41.5 x 90 cm | Material: Sustainable sourced Canadian hemlock solid wood | Accessories included: Shopping blackboard, plant holder, stainless steel kitchen accessories and tray sink | Age suitability: 3 years plus | Assembly time: Unspecified
If you’re seeking value for money, the Playhouse Marvellous Mud Kitchen is certainly worth considering. Despite its affordable price tag of less than £100, this spacious design is wide enough for two friends or siblings to play side by side and comes with plenty of accessories included. From robust stainless steel pots and utensils, to a removable sink, shopping list black board and plant holder shelf, it allows children to fully personalise their space.
We love the quality of the sustainably sourced Canadian hemlock solid wood and lower storage space for additional toys and accessories. It’s worth noting however that the tap is for decoration only.
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What is a mud kitchen?
So what is a mud kitchen, and how is it different from an indoor play kitchen? Think of a mud kitchen as a dedicated outdoor play space where water, mud, sand and natural garden elements are joyously combined by your child’s imagination and your lack of worry about the mess.
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.
Studies have shown that playing outdoors is fantastic for a child’s physical and mental well-being. Research by scientists at the University of Bristol has also suggested that getting their hands dirty can boost children's immune systems and makes them happier and more relaxed.
What to look for when choosing a mud kitchen
You’ll be spoilt for choice when searching for a mud kitchen for your children; here are the features to look for and what to keep in mind while shopping.
Space: The room in your garden or yard should be essential to your decision. Measure the area you have in mind; maybe it’s near the outdoor tap or the storage for the soil, sand and toys needed, and compare it to the mud kitchen that’s caught your eye.
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.
How many children can play with it: For a mud kitchen to work for more than one child, there needs to be multiple activities, so they aren’t fighting over the same thing. A chalkboard, easel and gardening section are all great additions to the standard cooking area. The mud kitchen needs to be wide enough for side-by-side play; alternatively, a 360-degree design is ideal for two or more children.
Materials: Mud kitchens are usually made from wood as it’s attractive and sturdy, and if it has been treated with weatherproof varnish by you or the manufacturer, it will be protected from wind, rain and snow for at least two years. If you’re interested in sustainability, look for products made from FSC-certified wood.
Accessories: The accessories provided are a hugely important part of a mud kitchen package. Additional play sets can be purchased, but most kitchens will have a minimum of a few pots, pans and utensils so that cooking can begin as soon as the kitchen is built. A working tap, removable sink, and drop-down oven are features that should be built into the body of the kitchen itself. Some models will have an easel, chalkboard or perspex screen on which your little chef can write their menu.
Water: A ‘sink’ is an integral part of a mud kitchen as that’s where a potion or recipe is concocted. A watering can, a bucket of water or proximity to an outdoor tap can quickly provide the splash. However, some mud kitchens come with a working tap supplied by a water butt either behind or underneath the sink.
Storage space: A mud kitchen with shelves, cupboards, drawers and hooks will take lots of building, but it will look more authentic, provide extra fun and be a good place to store accessories and ‘ingredients.’
Ease of assembly: Unless you buy a bespoke, handmade kitchen or pay extra for an assembly service, you’re on your own. A mud kitchen usually has lots of pieces and needs space, tools, a clear head and patience to build it. The average time required is two hours, and you’ll notice that most consumer reviews will mention how easy it is and the quality of the instructions.
How to make a DIY mud kitchen
If you’re relatively DIY savvy like the Mumsnet users below, you may prefer to make your own mud kitchen, creating a truly bespoke and personalised play area for your child.
“They are easy enough to make if you have the time and are DIY orientated.” suggested by Mumsnet user onedsrightnow
“We made one. I looked online and fainted at the price so we made one, 2 days and £50. My granddaughter loves it and we actually enjoyed making it - it was dead easy.
Buy a cheap coffee table from a car boot or second-hand shop - £10
Go to a proper timber merchant and buy planks of wood - £10
Fix one plank across the back of the table and then screw uprights into place, add a plank on the back near the top for strength. We made a 'Z ' shape because we had too much wood.
Buy square, not round bowls (too hard), and cut squares out of coffee table - needs electric saw, borrow one if necessary.
Use spare wood to fix a shelf.
Sand everything, then paint (we used paint we already had, outdoor paint obviously)
Pimp it up 😆
Method used by Mumsnet user Toooldtobearsed
To make your own mud kitchen you will need:
A selection of treated wood (quantity will depend upon the size of the mud kitchen you plan to make)
A chop saw - for cutting wood to size
Sander - for smoothing rough edges
Screwdriver and screws - for securing the pieces
Paint (optional) - for personalising your design
Step-by-step instructions
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.
Measure the pieces of timber to size and mark them with a pencil ready for cutting.
Use the chop saw to cut the wood to size and then gently sand to remove any rough/frayed edges
Create the two end frames first, screwing horizontal panels to the vertical pieces.
Once the two end pieces are complete, attach the floor and table boards between the two and screw them into place.
Add a splashback, hanging screws and accessories as required, before painting (optional) and adding personal touches.
You may find this step-by-step make-your-own mud kitchen guide from DIY experts Wickes helpful.
What ages are mud kitchens suitable for?
While some mud kitchens are suitable for children as young as 18 months, the majority of mud kitchens with accessories included are suitable for children from the age of three years. Young children should be supervised whilst playing at all times, particularly if you’re adding water and/or sand.
How much should I spend on a mud kitchen?
The price of mud kitchens can vary considerably depending on the wood used, whether it’s treated and what accessories are included with the purchase. You can generally expect to spend between £60 and £200 on a mud kitchen. If you opt for a cheaper model, it's worth checking the specifications to see what’s included for the price, or factoring in the cost of additional purchases.
What are the benefits of a mud kitchen?
Mud kitchens come with many educational and health benefits of mud kitchens.
A great way to stimulate your child’s imagination and creativity, children will love acting out role play scenarios, replicating real-world behaviours and using their problem-solving skills.
The act of ‘cooking’ in their kitchen can help children master their fine motor skills through pouring, mixing and scooping, while playing with friends can help them learn important behaviours and social skills such as communication, sharing and teamwork.
Last but by no means least, mud kitchens are a great way to encourage children to play outside in the fresh air. Promoting physical exercise and active play, playing with a mud kitchen can be a great source of vitamin D and serotonin, helping improve your child’s overall health and well-being.
What’s the best mud kitchen to buy?
The best mud kitchen for your family will very much depend on your requirements, however, for its high quality, versatility, substantial size and range of accessories included, we feel the TP Muddy Madness is the best mud kitchen you can buy today. Whether you’re buying for a single child or for siblings to share together, this mud kitchen offers great value for money and is built to last the test of time.
How we chose our recommendations
Recommendations from real Mumsnet users
Members of the Mumsnet community agree that a sturdy mud kitchen with lots of fun accessories is a great way to keep their children playing happily in the garden. So, we weighed the toys their toddlers have played with and loved, which they wholeheartedly recommend. Their experiences, including weatherproofing and cleaning advice and the mud kitchens that suit children of all ages, have informed our choices of the outdoor toys you should invest in.
Expert opinions
Mud kitchens need to be easy to assemble and maintain, and they can be costly, so we wanted to be confident that the toys we picked would perform well while being educational. To do this, we’ve investigated the opinions of the child development experts and toy retailers we trust the most.
Authentic customer reviews
We then evaluated the outdoor toy bestseller lists and investigated the best mud kitchen reviews from various retailer sites to see which products were best rated. Lastly, we weighed the pros and cons of each choice to determine which were best suited to different age ranges.
About the author
Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and a Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby/child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help people make confident purchases.
Lucy loves spending time in the garden with her girls and having personally reviewed a wide range of outdoor toys and games, she’s confident finding the features that children will love.
Why you should trust us
Mumsnet has been helping parents make their lives easier since 2000 and, in that time, we've investigated, tried and reviewed thousands of products.
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.
Transparency is vital to us, and we're always honest about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their friends and family.