Playing with Wet Mud

Remember how much fun you had as a child playing with mud? Mud is a fascinating material for children to work with. But because of the laundry involved, it can also be exasperating for adults! If that's true for you, be sure to gather some old clothes, along with some dirt, a plastic bowl or pail, a long handled spoon, and water — in a cup or spray bottle (spray bottles work well to control the water).

Invite your child to put some dirt in the bowl and slowly add some water, stirring with the spoon — or with bare hands — after each addition. Talk with your child about the texture and feel of the mud and how it changes depending on how much water you add. Is the mud stiff? Gooey? When does it start to resemble chocolate milk?