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When you're a toddler who's trying to learn everything there is to know about this great, big world we live in, digging right in and getting your hands dirty is one of the best ways to learn.
While there is an actual calendar day devoted to celebrating the majesty of mud, in the eyes of a toddler, EVERY day can (and should) be spent splashin' through the mud and the muck.
Dirt's fun, no doubt. It's also messy.
Especially when it mixes with water to create a nice, sludgy mud.
But to toddlers, mud's no big deal. (Well, they'd probably say it's actually kind of a big deal—but in the best way possible).
If we were to listen to a toddler's logic on why mud's a must, this is what they'd tell us, and maybe, as parents, we should listen and wash our hands clean of the concern that comes with the impending mess.
1. Dirt is fun to play with
If you've got the right tools, you can spend tons of time moving dirt in the garden or backyard, learning about cause and effect through engaging, imaginative play.
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Construction Toys, Mini Crew 3-Pack, 7 Inches, by CAT
A Fleet to Put to the Test
This three-piece CAT construction fleet comes with a dump truck, a wheel loader, and an excavator. The durable toys that make up this set are built to encourage interactive play. Each piece is designed with articulated parts that can stand up to repeated tough play down in the dirt, as buckets and booms are put to the test during transporting, lifting, and digging jobs. This set is built to withstand the elements. Made from high-grade plastic, it's easy-to-clean and can be used for indoor or outdoor play.
And while, for toddlers, playing in the dirt is never-ending fun, for parents, it's even MORE fun for our twins to play with mud when they're dressed to (at least try to) minimize the mess that's brought indoors after playtime's over.
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Handle It Rain Boots by Crocs
Boots for Tromping Around in the Mud
These pull-on waterproof rain boots by Crocs are made of ethylene vinyl acetate, which is soft and flexible. They have the cutest lightning bolt pattern on them (though they're available in many colors and sizes), and no matter how muddy they get, they can be cleaned in a flash. They each have a built-in oversized handle, so toddlers can easily pull on and off their boots all by themselves (this is a huge perk when you've got two pairs of feet that want to jump in muddy puddles as fast as they can).
2. Mud can be removed from clothing
Even when you're dressed properly for playing in the mud, stains can still happen.
It's part of the fun, after all, isn't it? Sitting on the ground or rolling around in the dirt.
But, don't let the dirt you see settling in wreck the fun your little ones are having.
You can usually get the stains out without too much trouble.
Ideally, within a day of the mud-time melee.
But, if you're like me and really like a challenge (read: you're a parent to twin toddlers and had zero time to tackle these stains when they were relatively fresh and now you're praying to the laundry gods that the shorts they've worn for the first time aren't permanently stained after a single outing), see if this method works a week later. It did for me.
Whatever you do, do NOT treat a mud stain while it's still wet, or it'll turn into your worst nightmare.
Instead, let it dry, then use an old toothbrush or a bristled laundry brush to scrub the fabric to remove as much dried mud as possible.
Then, pre-treat the mud stains with a mixture of liquid dish washing detergent and Pink Solution.
(As an aside, I can't tell you enough how much I love Pink Solution. It's a versatile stain remover that is used almost daily in our household on laundry and, more often than I'd like, carpet stains.)
Don't use your nails to scratch the stain on the fabric. Work the solution in by rubbing the material against itself to prevent unnecessary wear-and-tear on the clothing fibers and to emulsify the cleaning agents, so they can work to lighten the stain.
If there's still a lingering stain after that step, you can try another round of detergent and Pink Solution, but you may need to elevate your efforts and break out the OxiClean.
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Versatile Stain Remover by OxiClean
A Powerhouse on Persistent Stains
This powerful cleaning powder works wonders while remaining gentle on clothing. It harnesses the power of air and water, unleashing its unique bubbling action to break down and lift away stains, from dirt or grease, to food or mold...or even the ever-dreaded pet stains you hope to never step an accidental barefoot in again. This stain remover is color-safe and chlorine bleach-free, so it's safe to try on stubborn, set-in stains for laundry, carpet, upholstery, or around the house. It comes in a 1.36-kilogram container.
3. Dirt is entertaining in all its forms
Despite a bath before bedtime, dirt can make its way into the bedtime routine. Never Touch the Dirty Diggers is a book filled with good, clean fun and loads of engaging, tactile experiences for your little ones.
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Never Touch the Dirty Diggers by Christie Hainsby & Stuart Lynch
A Load of Sensory Delight
This board book is filled with a fleet of vehicles who are gearing up to make your little ones laugh. Written by Christie Hainsby, this story helps children learn about numbers and counting, with a digger disappearing as each page is turned. Illustrations by Stuart Lynch incorporate bright and bumpy silicone surfaces that spark sensory play. This silly story is an excellent addition to the best-selling Never Touch a series, which we already love. It will keep your children engaged, and they'll ask for it to be read over and over again.
Good, "clean" fun
Seeing your kiddos covered in dirt (sometimes, from head to foot) means that, yes, you've got some laundry pre-treating ahead of you, but, more importantly, it means they had a fun day playing outside in the sunshine and fresh air.
And that probably means you also got some fresh air and had a nice time while watching them explore and learn while getting their hands (and face, and feet, and clothes) dirty.
What's your favorite way to get your hands dirty and learn while playing in the mud? Let us know in the Comments section below or connect with us on Instagram to share your thoughts!
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