Dirt Kitchen: Then and Now
It was almost a year ago that I heard about creating outdoor mud or dirt kitchens, and decided to create one for the kids in our backyard. In my first post about Dirt Kitchens I wrote:
We looked around to see what we had already that might work for our kitchen, and found an old painted box from my classroom days, as well as the piece of laminate chopped out of our real kitchen to make way for the sink. Perfect. We tipped the box over on it’s side and plonked the laminate on top. And, um, that’s it! At least for now. (10 August 2010)
These school holidays we decided it was time to replace the original box-and-bench kitchen with something a little more permanent. We set off on an op-shop treasure hunt, searching for cheap, sturdy, wooden items. We tried to be open minded and think creatively about how pieces could be used. For a total of under $20, here are the three items we purchased:
This is the kids’ dirt kitchen, not mine, so I took a step back and let them paint it themselves. We used left over paint from the exterior of our house for a number of reasons. 1 – we already had it. 2 – it will last well outside. 3 – it blends in well with our home, deck and yard. The kids did a great job painting with real brushes and real paint, and didn’t get too much on themselves!
Once all of the pieces were the same colour, they looked like they “belonged” together and the kids were excited to see it all coming together. We put the new cabinet where the old dirt kitchen was, and attached the other two pieces to the fence with screws.
I added a few hooks for hanging pots and pans, then it was time to bring in all of the kitchen bits and pieces. A tin tea set, with kettle, saucers and tea cups. Wooden spatulas and spoons. A wire basket filled with child-sized aluminium pots and pans. An offcut from a tree log as a chopping board. And a small cane basket for collecting “ingredients” from around the back yard.
I love how this play space has evolved and grown. The vine I started training into a roof has exceeded my expectations. It covers the two arches, forming a beautiful shady canopy for the kids to play under. It also makes it feel like an outdoor room. The new kitchen cost us very little, yet looks great and the kids really feel they own it. It has become a much loved feature of our yard.
Such an inviting place to play!
I love this! What a great little space for imaginations to grow
Bec´s last [type] ..Freedom From Fear – the exhibition
Oh I love it! going to share with my girls. We made our children a kitchen, although it is on the verandah, intention is to go into the cubby when built.
http://sevenlittleaustralians.blogspot.com/2010/01/our-girls-play-kitchen.html
the front of our yard is littered with their ‘cafe’ equipment sourced from opshops.
Erin´s last [type] ..7 Quick Takes Friday ( Vol 88)
What a great idea… you have lots of great ideas. Love your blog!
Sugar Pop Cafe´s last [type] ..I think I can, I think I can…
I adore this idea! We have just started building our house, so this is another project to add to the list of ideas for their outdoor play area. I’ve actually been toting with the idea of building an inside toy kitchen for my daughter for Christmas, but I’m thinkingtgeoutdoor one is even better now
I love this! I have been seeing mud pie kitchens everywhere around the web lately…I really want to make one with the kids, as they are always playing with mud
So wonderful. I love it. Have you heard of the classic book ‘Mudpies and other recipes’? It was reprinted last year. I think your kids would love it, and then I’m sure they’d be inspired to create their own recipes too!
Jackie´s last [type] ..Activities: Connecting with Nature (trees)
It’s wonderful, now if only we could come over to play
P.S. How much has Roo grown! xx
Christie-Childhood 101´s last [type] ..Building a House of Books
WoW, love it. What a beautiful Play space. it looks so inviting. i know my 2 little ones would love this
That is marvellous, reminds me of my own childhood, playing in the backyard under the trees, cooking up mudpies for my dolls!
Sam Hardt´s last [type] ..Things I’m Loving – Confessions Of An Aqua Lover
Ooooh I like. Very nice, Squiggle family.
Amanda – Busy Brissy Mum´s last [type] ..Funny Play Dough People
When can we come and play?!!
That is brilliant. Thanks for the inspiration. We have a small house – way too small for an indoor play kitchen, but I think our yard would definitely be able to accommodate something like this!
Julie – The Useful Box´s last [type] ..Recipe of the week – Cottage Pie
LOVE IT! I also love that the kids had a role in creating the space. I reckon i’d enjoy playing in that kitchen
Tricia´s last [type] ..A frugal vegetarian meal fit for sharing {big batch lentil loaf recipe}
I really like this idea and will be pinning it for my EcoHome inspiration!
Anita´s last [type] ..OMG I am going to Blogopolis!
Oh wow it looks amazing!
Needless to say that I love this Cath!
jenny @ let the children play´s last [type] ..set the stage for imaginative play outdoors
Beautifully done! I love the living canopy! We just set up our play kitchen in a big sandbox area, hoping to maximize sensory input…now I’m wanting to add some spoon holders and replace our fabric canopy with some living willow or vines. Thank you for the inspiration!
Candace @ Power Moms Unite´s last [type] ..The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.
[...] mud pie is always welcome! A blogger called Squigglemum has a great blog about her dirt kitchen: http://squigglemum.com/activities/activities-outdoor/dirt-kitchen-then-and-now/ [...]
Wow, such a perfect place to play. I love how you were able to step back and let the kids paint it themselves.
Brooke´s last [type] ..You Can Find Me Here…
JDaniel would love to have one of these.
JDaniel4′s Mom´s last [type] ..Eating the Eifel Tower
[...] running to a teacher. Love the term digitally resilient!3. Dirt Kitchen: Then and NowIn this post Squigglemum takes us through the construction of the outside dirt kitchen for her kids. Having spent many hours [...]
Such a great idea and so much use for imaginative play. And getting the kids involved by painting makes it even better.
[...] factor). We don’t have space for a play kitchen indoors, so we’re taking a leaf out of SquiggleMum’s book and building one outside. Or you can make one out of cardboard boxes. Check out this [...]
This is a fabulous idea-how fun! Would only work here in the summertime, though. I love how you let the kids paint it themselves.
[...] smaller blackboards which can be moved around and used as needed. One is a menu board in the dirt kitchen, the other is waiting for playful [...]
[...] We’ve got plans to get outside. We live even closer to this creek than Shae from Yay For Home, so we’ll be down there having an explore on the next sunny day! We are going to make a giant spider’s web and we’re going to build a dirt kitchen! [...]
[...] 3. Dirt Kitchen Squiggle Mum writes about creating a dirt kitchen for her children in the back yard. This article is full of great photos showing the project’s stages, with her children painting and arranging items. This is a great summer project! CLICK HERE for More [...]
I adore this idea!!!!! Definitely going to start thinking about how I can make one in our dirt/rock jungle ASAP!!!
I love this idea!!!! So creative yet simple! I am definitely going to start thinking about how I can create something like this in our rocky/dirt jungle! Thanks for the brilliant inspiration.xo
Amycakes´s last [type] ..Raspberry & Nectarine Slice
[...] Organizing all those mud pie making tools into one place is a great idea. This is super cute from Squiggle Mum. [...]
[...] what are your favourite dirt play activities? I’m still hankering after a dirt kitchen like Squiggle Mum’s for the kids eventually, I should just get ny act together and do it! Does anyone else have [...]