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I am a huge fan of mud kitchens but also love a DIY portable mud kitchen option. A “to go” mud kitchen that can be taken on nature outings or set anywhere in the classroom is economical and easy to set up. And it offers a multitude of imaginative play opportunities.
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Portable Mud Kitchen Supplies
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To make a pop-up mud kitchen, simply use supplies you have on hand. Gather the following:
- milk crate
- small wire shelves
- cardboard box square
- play pots and pans
- loaf pans and muffin tins
- soup spoons
- wood slices
- pine cones
- rocks
- leaves
- black permanent marker
- black crayon
- circle tracers
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The DIY Portable Mud Kitchen
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This portable mud kitchen can be set up anywhere. In the classroom, it allows you to bring in natural materials for early learners to explore in an effortless way.
To put it together, start off by using circle tracers (think food container lids) to draw stove burners on a cardboard box square with a black permanent marker. Color in some of the circles with a black crayon.
Place the stove top drawing on an upside-down milk crate. Or draw stove burners on the bottom of a box.
Set the crate and drawing (or box stove) in a sensory table (sand and water table.)
Add small wire shelves (available at dollar stores).
Collect old pots, pans, muffin tins, and serving bowls and place them in the table. Include serving spoons.
Sprinkle in rocks, wood slices, pine cones, and leaves in a variety of colors. Invite little learners to explore the center.
It’s that simple!
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More Mud Kitchen Play
This setup can be taken outside and arranged on the ground or on a bench. Load all the supplies in the crate for easy transport.
A metal bowl “sink”, a pitcher of water, tea cups, whisks, potato mashers, and ladles would add interest and sensory opportunities to this center.
An active world tray positioned on the ground works well as a base instead of a sensory table. Or set up the supplies on a tarp.
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Related: Fall Sensory Play
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