International Mud Day

June 29^th is International Mud Day, a day that was created in order to encourage children all around the world to connect with each other and the environment. Playing outside is a great way for children to get fresh air, exercise, explore, and get a little carefree and dirty. While getting muddy can sometimes be discouraged or frowned upon, there are many benefits associated with allowing children to let loose and get covered in mud. Regular exposure to the macrobacteria in soil has the ability to strengthen immune systems by preventing the development of allergies and has also been shown to release serotonin in our brains, creating feelings of calmness and relaxation. Additionally, playing in mud allows children to develop their sensory skills, creativity, and communication skills when playing with other children. Mud is a great medium for sculpting and digging, allowing children to use their imaginations and practice using their fine motor skills. Playing in mud also creates a perfect opportunity for learning about the environment through the observation of earth worms or planting in the garden!

International Mud Day was created in 2009 at the World Forum for Early Childhood Care and Education in Belfast. The World Forum Foundation aims to promote the global exchange of ideas and information regarding quality services for children and childhood development. At the 2009 forum, two members of the Nature Action Collaborative for Children found themselves discussing the challenges children face when playing outdoors in the mud. Gillian McAuliffe from Australia and Bishnu Bhatta from Nepal were able to identify some barriers, such as cultural aversions to getting dirty and lack of appropriate clothing, that prevented children in different parts of the world from engaging in the natural act of playing in the mud. This discussion resulted in Australian children fundraising enough money to send to Bishnu Bhatta so that she could buy Nepalese children disposable clothing and arrange a day for them to play in the mud. Ever since this inspiring collaboration, children all over the world have participated in International Mud Day.

Out of this collaboration the children’s e-book, “Who Likes Mud?” was created. The story and concept was created by Swati Popat Vats, and produced by the Nature Action Collaborative for Children and the Early Childhood Association (India) dedicated to “children around the world, children who have nothing but mud to play with and children who have everything but mud to play with.” A beautiful sentiment of understanding the basic human need for joy and equity.

This International Mud Day, consider facilitating and joining in on mud-based activities for the children in your life. Some possible activities include making mud sculptures and cakes, filling a small children’s pool with soil and water to create a mud pit, painting with mud, or creating a mud kitchen with make-believe cooking utensils and “ingredients” such as stones, sticks, mud, and grass. Make sure that preparations are made in order for cleaning up to be as easy as possible! Wearing a bathing suit or clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty is helpful when playing with mud, so you and the children are as carefree as possible! Having access to a hose or sprinkler is also beneficial when it comes to rinsing off muddy clothes and bodies, but most importantly, simply let the children and your inner child have some fun!

Who Likes Mud Book

International Mud Day Information

The Mud Book