This activity promotes development and learning by encouraging children to demonstrate flexibility in thoughts, actions, and behavior and use muscles to explore and interact with the environment.

Materials Needed:

• Large metal or plastic utensils, plastic cups or pitchers, plates or bowls, buckets, muffin tins, pots or pans (items that you don’t mind getting dirty)
• Table or bench
• Dirt
• Water
• Natural materials (whatever your child collects)

Participants: This activity is intended for adult/child interaction.

Directions:

1. Gather the materials and take them outside.
   
2. Set up an outdoor “kitchen” with the items and natural materials.
   
3. Fill a pitcher with water and pour it onto the dirt to create mud.
   
4. Let children “cook” with mud and materials.