HomeBeautiful
  • Open Homes
  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor
  • Decorate
  • Hamptons
  • Podcasts
  • Beach House
  • hacks
HomeBeautiful
  • Open Homes
  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor
  • Decorate
  • Hamptons
  • Podcasts
  • Beach House
  • hacks
Subscribe
Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right
Watch 2:03

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right

{headline}

{headline}

A playhouse for all ages

A playhouse for all ages

Give your kids’ cubby house a fabulous facelift for summer

Give your kids’ cubby house a fabulous facelift for summer

This Mum’s Kmart hack saves time every morning

This Mum’s Kmart hack saves time every morning

Update your kid’s bedroom with this affordable range

Update your kid’s bedroom with this affordable range

{headline}

{headline}

3 kids’ bedroom decorating ideas grown-ups will want to steal

3 kids’ bedroom decorating ideas grown-ups will want to steal

How to create a kids' corner for all ages

How to create a kids' corner for all ages

A kid’s room design that will last well into teen years

A kid’s room design that will last well into teen years

{headline}

{headline}

20 affordable new IKEA toys to change your child’s life

20 affordable new IKEA toys to change your child’s life

We can’t get enough of Bec Judd’s new kids collection

We can’t get enough of Bec Judd’s new kids collection

Transform your kid's room with this new Harry Potter collection

Transform your kid's room with this new Harry Potter collection

6 bedroom ideas for kids

6 bedroom ideas for kids

Decorating tips for teen bedrooms

Decorating tips for teen bedrooms

6 kids' lighting ideas that will light up your little one's world

6 kids' lighting ideas that will light up your little one's world

House Rules makeover

House Rules makeover

  1. Home
  2. Outdoor

The huge trend taking over kids’ cubby houses

Take yours next level! - by Diana Moore
  • 29 May 2019
The huge trend taking over kids’ cubby houses
Castle & Cubby

Outdoor mud kitchens are taking the internet by storm as parents create a dedicated play space in back yards for kids to engage in educational, messy play.

With children moving more and more indoors for play, Mums and Dads are looking for ways to engage them in outdoor activities.

According to Dr Dimity Williams, the benefits of outdoor play for children in their early years are innumerable. Being immersed in nature helps to reduce stress and anxiety in children and lift their mood. Improvements in motor skills, eye muscles, Vitamin D levels, problem solving and sensory development are all experienced, as well as important opportunities for risk-taking, adventure-seeking and better focus when they return indoors to live and learn.

Australian community organisations such as The Kids Nature Network, are working in initiatives designed to increase the opportunities for kids to play outside, including the recent Nature Play Week.

kidsinnaturenetwork View Profile
17 likes - View Post on Instagram
Some of the magical moments captured from the @kaosanglesea_ event👣🌿 A great weekend filled with lots of nature play and outdoor adventures ✨ #kidsinnaturenetwork #natureplayweek

From home-made, adapted, upcycled and renovated to stunning off-the-rack versions, mud kitchens are an achievable DIY project for parents and kids to work on together and a plethora of Mums have shared their stunning success on social media.

Here’s just a taste of inspirational outcomes (mud pie anyone?!):

1. Mud kitchen-come potting shed

Now this mud kitchen has seen some action! Artificial grass keeps mess somewhat manageable underfoot and a quirky downpipe contraption stimulates further exploration. Doubles as a pizza cafe (see below)!!

abaysidecottage View Profile
1,333 likes - View Post on Instagram
Autumn is here 🍂
abaysidecottage View Profile
595 likes - View Post on Instagram
Remnants of today's pizza cafe. The service wasn't great, the food was average, but the waiter was gorgeous so I'm sure I'll be back 💁🏻‍♀️

2. Sweet and simple

Super-portable, this could be made from an upcycled palette.

pottlyntubby View Profile
25 likes - View Post on Instagram
Our OUTDOOR MUD KITCHEN 💚💚💚 Built with a lot of hardwork and love, this outdoor mud kitchen is for little ones and parents who would love to encourage their kids to play outdoors once again. . Life in the city has become to focused on staying indoors and playing in indoor centers, that we miss so much of the fun and imaginative play our kids can experience outside. . This mud kitchen is for them to get messy! Play with what they foraged around them. Cook some soil, ground up some leaves, make a flower soup. And really to just play. Disengage from screens and apps and just play. We parents might need this too 🤗🤗🤗 . . . #outdoorkitchen #mudkitchen #outdoorplay #playkitchen #outdoors #playoutside #letsplay #letsplayoutside #forage #cook #minicook #minikitchen #montessoriathome #montessori #waldorf #waldorfhome #waldorftoys #mudkitchens #playtime #playdates #letsplay #outdoorfun #outdoorcooking #kidscooking #kidscook #minichefs #minichef #playoutdoors #summer #summerplay

3. Double trouble

Two sinks for twice the fun! Cleverly positioned next to the sand pit.

montessorieffect View Profile
731 likes - View Post on Instagram
Our DIY mud kitchen is ready for play! We are huge lovers of outside play so we thought a mud kitchen will be appreciated by Jessi. It offers endless imaginative and role play possibilities, sensory experiences through combination of natural materials and exploring outdoors and playing freely is always fun! Do you guys like mud kitchen? Or maybe do you have one or are you planning to build/buy one? _ #mudkitchen #matschküche #outdoorkitchen #kidsoutdoors

4. Palette pride

This one was made from palettes by Grandad in two hours!

arlene_cornish View Profile
61 likes - View Post on Instagram
Two pallets and 2 hours later... ' my grandad is a great lad ' #mudkitchen #outdoorkids

5. Mud kitchen university

This mud pie kitchen is newly installed in a pre-school and brings loads of fun and functional inspiration to the table.

cosmosmontessoriforskola View Profile
53 likes - View Post on Instagram
Our new MUD KITCHEN at my school is now finished! The kids (and teachers) just love it! Inspirational play and opportunities for communication, sharing, learning and playing! 👫❤️🥄🥣🍽🍳 ... År nya utekök/ MUD KITCHEN är klar! Så otroligt roligt! Barnen och de vuxna älsakar den! Inspiration till lek, kommunikation, samarbete, empati och lärande! 👏🏻😍🙏🏻 ... #mudkitchen #childrensplay #outdoorkitchen #playarea #playkitchen ##montessori #förskola #swedishpreschool #preschool #montessoripreschool #barn #lärande #lärandelek #lpfö #läroplan #children #learning #montessorilearning #jagkan #tropåbarnet #believeinthechild #karlstad #bästaförskolan #barnsinflytande #lekochlär #playandlearn #www.cosmoskids.nu

6. Work in progress

Built in a weekend, this one offers a step-by-step cheat sheet to show just how simple the structure can be. What are you doing this weekend?

mjcmaintenance View Profile
7 likes - View Post on Instagram
Bank holiday project completed 👍 #mudkitchen #woodworkingproject #wood #joinerywork #gardenideas #kids #gardentoys #kitchendesign #littlechef

7. Vintage vibes

Play out your own decorating dreams and live vicariously through your little one's outdoor mud kitchen!

littlehipsterkitchens View Profile
32 likes - View Post on Instagram
Check out this Little Ray of Sun Shine ☀️ to Brighten up a Chilly Day ❄️ #Mila + #Arlo #mudkitchen

8. Scandi style scoops

For the budding retail entrepreneur... love that paper roll dispenser!

casieliving View Profile
118 likes - View Post on Instagram
Einen guten Start in die neue Woche mit dem wunderbaren Bild von @minimemarla 💖wir wünschen fröhliches Kochen und Matschen 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳 bei sommerlichen Temperaturen☀️✌️ #mudkitchen #outdoorkitchen #for #kids #kidstoys #designforkids #versatile #productdesign #kinderküche #garten #locallymade #düsseldorf #korbmayer #stuttgart #dreams4kids

You might also like:

This Kmart cubby house hack is inspiring incredible decorating results!

7 amazing kids' cubbies

A playhouse for all ages

Diana Moore
Diana Moore
Content expert, florist and interior decorator Diana Moore has been passionate about helping others make the perfect home ever since she moved into her own. From styling her local bar to feel like your best friend’s lounge room, to randomly restyling people’s bookshelves, Diana is a firm believer in making the best of what you have in front of you.

FREE Miranda Kerr Mug-SAVE 31%

by Royal Albert, when you subscribe

Subscribe Now
FREE Miranda Kerr Mug

FREE Miranda Kerr Mug-SAVE 31%

by Royal Albert, when you subscribe

Subscribe Now
FREE Miranda Kerr Mug

Recommended to you

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right
Watch 2:03

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right

{headline}

{headline}

A playhouse for all ages

A playhouse for all ages

Give your kids’ cubby house a fabulous facelift for summer

Give your kids’ cubby house a fabulous facelift for summer

This Mum’s Kmart hack saves time every morning

This Mum’s Kmart hack saves time every morning

Update your kid’s bedroom with this affordable range

Update your kid’s bedroom with this affordable range

{headline}

{headline}

3 kids’ bedroom decorating ideas grown-ups will want to steal

3 kids’ bedroom decorating ideas grown-ups will want to steal

How to create a kids' corner for all ages

How to create a kids' corner for all ages

A kid’s room design that will last well into teen years

A kid’s room design that will last well into teen years

{headline}

{headline}

20 affordable new IKEA toys to change your child’s life

20 affordable new IKEA toys to change your child’s life

We can’t get enough of Bec Judd’s new kids collection

We can’t get enough of Bec Judd’s new kids collection

Transform your kid's room with this new Harry Potter collection

Transform your kid's room with this new Harry Potter collection

6 bedroom ideas for kids

6 bedroom ideas for kids

Decorating tips for teen bedrooms

Decorating tips for teen bedrooms

6 kids' lighting ideas that will light up your little one's world

6 kids' lighting ideas that will light up your little one's world

House Rules makeover

House Rules makeover

HomeBeautiful
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
HomeBeautiful Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Instyle
  • marie claire
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Health Engine
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • Airtasker
  • Society One
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

FREE Miranda Kerr Mug-SAVE 31%

Shop This Offer
FREE Miranda Kerr Mug