6 mud kitchens that unleash creativity and messy fun

With plenty of play space and ample storage, the Deluxe Wooden Mud Kitchen from TP Toys makes a great option for multiple kiddos. The clever design features a slide out wood sink cover which provides extra cooking space during play time as well as a cook top, oven, and blackboard. There’s a removable basin that holds over two gallons of water and a refillable bucket with tap mounted above, perfect for cleaning up or making bigger messes. (These things can go either way, right?) To get their mud pie making under way, it also comes with a stainless steel pot, pan and whisk.

One thing to note: The wood is untreated, so we recommend a using a sealant to ensure it lasts!

The sturdy and compact pine mud kitchen from Aoparts packs a lot into a simple design. There’s a stove top with two working knobs, a sink basin and mounted water bin with a faucet for pouring, and plenty of hooks, storage and shelf space. The set comes with a whisk, spoon, spatula and pot with lid as well as two cups. There’s also a cute little blackboard they can hang to advertise the day’s specials!

When it comes to open-ended play, the simpler the toy, the better. Case in point, this minimalist mud kitchen from Outsunny. There isn’t a ton of work space, but we’re willing to bet they’ll be more interested in the clever sink design anyway. With a hidden water supply below the sink basin, just pump the faucet to send water streaming through the tap! Included they’ll also find a food basket, dinner plate, chopping board, knife, and vegetables to keep them busy.

Enjoy the sunny day and some fresh air while your kiddo writes their menu on the blackboard, whips up some delights with leaves, sticks and rocks or even plants some flowers flowers or herbs in the included pots! This simple but well-stocked outdoor kitchen from Hape is designed to withstand the elements and last long enough to be passed down–a tenet of the brand we’ve always appreciated! We love that every feature is designed with mixing and making in mind, from the generously sized water tank and sink to the recessed bowls on the stove top. There’s also knobs to turn and an oven as well as plenty of storage space below. The set also comes with a pot, ladle, two bowls, two flowerpots, a sieve, water tank, sink, faucet and oven plate.

How stunning is this hand made mud kitchen? The low, long construction and double basin design makes it easy for multiple kiddos to play together. (Peacefully? Maybe not.) A cook top in the middle features four burners for boiling up their rock and stick stews while the open shelf along the bottom provides plenty of space to stash their supplies. There’s also hooks for storage across the backsplash and a wide plank at the top for displaying their herbs and flowers. And while you can always opt for natural wood, we love the soft color options of rose, sky and sage!

If you don’t have the luxury of taking up valuable real estate with your standard style mud kitchen, this cart style design might be the answer! In addition to the overall slim footprint, two wheels allow it to be moved around the yard, deck or driveway. There’s a bowl for water, a pretend tap, a stovetop with four burners and an oven and shelf below. For the sunniest days, a removable umbrella provides extra shade. It also comes with two pots, two pans and a whisk to get cooking. We also think that with a few adaptations it could make a great little lemonade stand!

With approximately $200 of supplies, a bit of time and these plans, you can build a DIY mud kitchen that’s sure to impress the kiddos. Along with the high-quality instructions you’ll also find a shopping guide to help you round up everything you need. When finished, it features a sink, stove top, and a shelf and hooks for storage.