Let’s build a mud kitchen!

We built this playground (click here for a full tutorial) and I decided we needed to add on to it by building a mud kitchen underneath the tall platform. I figured since it would get consistent shade, it’s on the ground where all the dirt is, and it could be easier access to water and muddy messes it couldn’t hurt to try!

I did this project on a whim (like all my projects) and started by gathering rocks, stones, and pavers from previous projects that we had lying around the yard. I thought maybe I could fit all of it together like a puzzle or mosaic and make a floor so they wouldn’t be standing in a mud pit.

I had this giant round stepping stone that I dug up and placed in the middle which gave me a cool idea!…

A SUN! Without really meaning to, I started designing a sun stone floor which I think turned out pretty cool. I created a border with bricks/pavers and then surrounded the round stepping stone with the largest pieces. I fill in the grooves with dirt and smaller pebbles and the floor hasn’t BUDGED even with 5 kids playing in the kitchen all at once.

For the tabletop I used these scrap 2x4’s and mesured them all out to the width of the playground posts so I could attach it to the playground.

I started by grabbing these 4x4’s for the feet and attached one 2x4 to the top. I fastened the rest of the 2x4’s with a vertical piece of wood attaching them all together.

I just kind of kept adding spare wood that I had on hand to make this top section with half of it backed in. I also added these knobs that just twist in and don’t require a drill! This is how I hang all their little spoons, sifters, and wisks!

I thrifted all of these finds!

Thrifting is so amazing to fill your kitchen the cheap way! I looked in the kitchen section mostly and tried to get anythingt they could play with!

Wooden bowls, bunt pan, muffin tin, sifters, melon baller, galvanized buckets, terracotta pots, mini pie tins, and more!

Here’s a look at everything once I got it home!

I painted these food rocks a while ago and wanted to share them!

They were SO easy and so fun to make! I gathered up rocks on our family walks and then tried to imagine a fruit that would go well with that shape.

Here are some of the supplies I used!

Since these rocks are part of a mud kitchen I tried to seal them to waterproof them and had read to use mod podge which DID NOT WORK haha The rock would start to turn white and then the paint would bubble and peel off.

Instead, I would recommend using some kind of polyurethane to seal it to keep it protected from water. I’ll be using that next time!

To add some final touches to our mud kitchen we went to the local nursery to pick out some plants!

The kids have sbsolutely loved playing in their kitchen and when friends come over it keeps them entertained for hours! I’ve added ice, flower petals, and colored water for more fun!

I hope this gave you an idea or two to make one of your own!

Thanks so much for reading and happy building!

xoxo,