For children, the summer holidays are all about playing outdoors with their toys. Kids love getting grubby in the garden, digging in the soil, collecting leaves and generally enjoying the freedom of playing outside — and a mud kitchen is one way to allow them to safely explore this urge. 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. 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 It also serves as a blank canvas to paint the kitchen in any colour you wish. Our customers find it is easiest to do this before assembly. This is ours... Still going strong 3 years later” (Recommended by Mumsnet user purpleme12) Our verdict

Key specs: 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 What we love:There are lots of different kitchens to choose from at varying price points - we've rounded up 13 of the best mud kitchens for kids available to buy now. Best mud kitchens at a glance Water Features Quality mud kitchens will come with a working tap which you can connect to your garden hose. It is also great if it features a separate water dispenser and basin. The use of water in your play sessions is really important, so make sure these parts are substantial. Ideally the tap needs to be made of brass or a similar durable material.

Key specs: 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 What we love: Choosing the right size This may seem like a simple one but it’s really important that you buy the right sized mud kitchen for your child. This will help you enjoy the product more. The overall dimensions are important for fitting the product into the area you want to use it in the garden. You also get an idea of how big the surfaces are for putting your pots, pans and mixtures on. The great thing about the mud kitchens is they do go flat up against a wall/fence or boundary so you can fit them in some of the smallest spaces. Connects kids with nature: It's hard to care about things that you're not really involved with, and many kids these days spend more time glued to their screens than out-of-doors. But getting kids outside to play, act out make-believe worlds, and explore, creates happy memories with the one most primal element in our world: nature. Along with that comes a development of respect and understanding for the great outdoors. Elevates mood: Mud kitchen play increases the levels of serotonin in our brains, helping us to relax and feel soothed and calm, they say. Plus, fresh air and Vitamin D (obtained through being exposed to sunlight) are both great for boosting the spirits.Environmentally friendly! Made with FSC certified wood, meaning the wood for this mud kitchen was responsibly sourced.

If you’re someone who likes to get your money's worth, this budget-friendly mud kitchen is not only big enough for two children to play together, but it also comes with a wide variety of play accessories. The three pans and two kitchen utensils are all made from rust-free stainless steel to protect them from the elements.

If you're buying your first mud kitchen, the TP toys early fun mud kitchen is a good starting point with a low price point. Where to buy a mud kitchen and accessories? Just like the real deal! Roomy painted hob area with fun DIY stencil to create hob rings and 'mud kitchen' logo. The idea is to use primarily mud or sand to play with but kids can also use anything they can find outside such as leaves, flowers, twigs, pebbles and more. 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 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 good places to store accessories and ‘ingredients.’

This really depends on whether your child likes imaginative play and making a mess! It may be worth investigating how your kids react to this kind of play before making the investment, for example by putting a bowl and utensils in the garden for them initially to see what they do. 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.

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. 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. Plus, it being in the garden allows kids the freedom to make a mess and it doesn't matter as much as it does inside the house. How much does a mud kitchen cost?