I’ve never been able to avoid playing in dirt with my kids, nor have I ever wanted to. From the youngest age the girls would pick up small stones from the ground or carry sticks. I would walk the dogs at the local park and my daughter would gravitate towards a dirt patch and spend the whole time absorbed with the dusty dry mud. At other times, she would stop at every mole hill in the meadow, exploring it with her fingers.
As for muddy puddles – regardless of footwear they are just too tempting to resist.
I was very lucky to find a preschool for my youngest that embraces mud play.
If you can’t enjoy getting dirty when you are a child then when can you?
Mud play isn’t just fun, it is also great for children’s health and development. Check out my article in Parentmap to find out more.
Right from the Start 
Mud mud. Glorious mud.
Let children play! Great post.
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You can’t beat a play in the mud! Love this post #countrykids
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Great post and totally agree. Mine love muddy play and puddles too.
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Three cheers for muddy play! Such wonderful photos of pure delight and natural childhood play. I love the fairy tutu and bare feet in the mud, this is such a classic girl look. Every child should be allowed to do this.
Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids
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I’m in complete agreement with everything here!! I’ve 2 posts to come out soon, that are talking about the same ideas and why our children need mud, and the outdoors so much! #countrykidsfun
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Love this! Mine are mud magnets and am more than happy to let them play in it (although I am careful about what they are wearing!). #countrykids
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Brilliant! You can’t beat it. My little girl particularly loves playing in the mud, and will head out into the garden to dig and make potions at any given opportunity! #countrykids
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My youngest two absolutely LOVE playing in mud and puddles! My little one came out of his forest kindergarten yesterday covered in muck from head to toes, and the biggest smile on his face. I couldn’t touch him without getting dirty myself, and I ended up stripping him in the car before putting him on his seat!
#CountryKids
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This makes my heart sing! I can’t bear it when kids get all ‘icky’ about getting dirty! #CountryKids
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Love all the photos of your children enjoying playing in the mud. Can’t beat a bit of muddy play – and muddy puddles are always great fun too 🙂 #countrykids
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