Mud Play for Kids: Why It’s Worth the Mess

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When  Red Rabbit gets home he is still very upset about the mother’s attitude about dirt. He decides that he needs to do some googling. Tiffi and her googling are starting to rub off on her friends! He sees an interesting article about the benefits of mud play and decides to read it. After all would mud playing be much different than playing in a puddle?

‘What is mud play?

The very word “mud” might make your skin crawl. Whether it’s a park, playground, or in your own backyard, a muddy mess is probably what you want your child to stay away from. But a mess is what washing machines are for. 

 

Mud play is like playing in a sandbox or on a beach, except it’s an activity with mud, which is just wet or damp dirt. Children can squish, dig, pile, or push mud around. They can also jump, splash, and slide in mud or even throw it against a wall! One really good thing about mud is that it’s free and readily available.

If you’re concerned that germs in mud might affect your child’s health, the Mayo Clinic confirms that playing in the mud can be healthy for your little one in more ways than one. Benefits of mud play for children include:

Healthier immune system- The germs found in mud may help strengthen your child’s immune system. In fact, living (and playing) in an environment that is too clean may increase the risk of illnesses such as allergies and asthma. This is more reason to start mud play for your child early! Up to 50 percent of children may have illnesses that cause wheezing and other problems during the first 3 years of childhood. Research from 2014 on young children living in urban environments reported that those who were exposed to household germs like pet dander, dust, and other specific allergens before the age of 1 year had a lower risk of developing allergies and recurring wheezing later in childhood. Mud play is one way to expose your little one to these beneficial germs.

Another small study from 2016 found that children who were raised on nonindustrial farms were less likely to develop asthma than those who were not.

Emotional health and creativity - Mud play allows children to connect and interact with the natural world around them. It helps children develop tactile skills with sensory play. Mud play and other outdoor activities not only get them away from screens, but give children fresh air, exercise, and sunlight.

Mud play is also a teaching tool that can help children boost creativity, imagination, independent learning, and teamwork. It can also help develop construction, building, and problem-solving skills. Some environmental advocates have also suggested mud-playing as an important teaching tool that can even address the complexities of gender and class.

Takeaway - Mud play can be healthy and beneficial for children and even babies under the age of 1 year! Squishing and patting mud is a great way for your child to get tactile and develop learning skills with sensory play.

Don’t worry that mud is “dirty.” Exposure to some germs and good bacteria in early childhood may create healthier immune systems that are less vulnerable to allergies and certain diseases. Doctors suggest starting mud play early, so take your baby outside and let them play with mud. As long as they don’t eat too much mud and avoid getting it in their eyes, nose or ears, mud play is generally safe and healthy.’ (Source)

Let’s continue - Good Dirt: The Benefits of Mud Play and Where to Get Started

Start at the beginning – Let’s play in the mud!