International Mud Day is celebrated around the world each year on June 29th — and we can’t wait to get muddy with you!
It’s a chance for children, families, and educators to splash, squish, roll, slide, dig, create mud pies, and explore the wonders of outdoor play. Mud play supports curiosity, creativity, sensory exploration, problem-solving, and meaningful connections with nature.
At Family Day, we believe children learn best through hands-on experiences that inspire imagination, confidence, and discovery. International Mud Day is a perfect opportunity to embrace open-ended play, celebrate messy learning, and create lasting memories together.
Whether you’re planning a muddy art activity, building a mud kitchen, experimenting with mud science, or simply jumping in puddles, there are endless ways to participate.
Explore the resources below for families and educators to help you plan your Mud Day celebration!
Celebrating International Mud Day in our programs
At Family Day, we believe childhood should include opportunities to explore, discover, create, and yes — get messy! International Mud Day is one more way we encourage children to connect with nature through joyful outdoor experiences.
We love creating opportunities for the children in our programs to explore, imagine, and connect with nature through play. International Mud Day is a fun, messy, hands-on celebration that encourages children to learn through sensory experiences, creativity, and outdoor discovery. Each year, our child care programs mark the occasion with mud kitchens, nature play, water exploration, art activities, obstacle courses, and plenty of opportunities to get delightfully messy!
Ways you can celebrate Mud Day with your family
Roll up your sleeves, head outdoors, and get messy! When children are provided with open-ended natural materials, the opportunities for creativity, curiosity, and hands-on discovery are endless. Explore the activity cards below for fun and simple ways to celebrate mud play together.
Click on a card to visit the featured website resource.
Printables
Continue Exploring Mud Play
Mud play offers endless opportunities for creativity, sensory exploration, outdoor learning, and meaningful connections with nature. Explore the resources below for additional inspiration, research, activity ideas, and stories that celebrate the joy of getting messy outdoors.
Books & Stories
The Mud Book is illustrated with wonderful, real life photographs of children enjoying fun adventures, investigations and explorations in the mud. It includes the importance of children being able to experience mud play. It also demonstrates the amazing opportunities that arise from connecting with nature and being ok with getting dirty.
Based on the premise that “we believe it’s okay to get dirty,” Discovery Children’s Center shares their mud play area and adventures in text and full color photos.
Articles & Outdoor Learning
- Ontario Nature Blog – Mud Therapy – Explore the many benefits of connecting with nature through mud play and outdoor exploration while celebrating the joy, creativity, and sensory experiences that muddy adventures can inspire.
- Decoda Mud Play for Fun & Learning – Decoda Literacy Solutions provides information on how mud play supports children’s creativity, curiosity, sensory exploration, and problem-solving while encouraging meaningful outdoor learning experiences. They also provide a number of great ideas for celebrating Mud Day and provide advice on how families can prepare for the day.
Educator Resources
- The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. They offer resources for Educators and parents on a variety of topics — including Mud Day!
- NAEYC Preschool Play Plans: Mud-Luscious Play – Discover playful mud-inspired learning experiences designed to spark imagination, exploration, storytelling, and hands-on discovery in early childhood settings.
- NAEYC – Books that Inspire Mud Play and Exploration – A thoughtfully curated collection of children’s books that celebrate mud, nature, curiosity, and outdoor adventure while inspiring playful learning opportunities.
- Backwoods Mama – The Benefits of Mud Play, Mud Activities and Mud Picture Books for Kids – Learn about the developmental benefits of mud play while exploring activity ideas and picture books that encourage children to connect with nature through messy, creative play.
International Mud Day reflects Family Day’s ongoing commitment to outdoor learning through our OPEN Doors initiative. We believe children thrive when they have opportunities to explore, take risks, connect with nature, and learn through hands-on outdoor experiences in every season.
OPEN Doors helps create inclusive outdoor environments where children can discover, imagine, investigate, and grow through meaningful connections with the natural world.
How OPEN Doors Supports Outdoor Learning
⇒ All-Weather Outdoor Play
Providing rain suits and winter clothing to help children stay warm, dry, and comfortable while exploring outdoors year-round.
⇒ Nature-Based Family Experiences
Creating opportunities for children and families to connect with nature through outdoor learning events and community experiences.
⇒ Outdoor Learning Materials
Supplying garden tools, nature observation kits, portable shade structures, and other materials that support outdoor exploration.
⇒ Naturalized Play Environments
Designing playgrounds and outdoor spaces that encourage curiosity, creativity, and meaningful connections with nature.
Learn More
Discover how Family Day’s OPEN Doors initiative supports outdoor learning experiences for children and families across our programs.
