Spring is just around the corner (finally!), and for us, that means the snow is melting and the mud puddles have returned! Like most kids, my daughter loves to splash around in all the puddles she can find, so I was excited to have the opportunity to check out this fun new picture book from Bloomsbury Children’s Books, and create some mud puddle learning games for us to play!

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Watch Out for Muddy Puddles! was written by Ben Faulks and illustrated by Ben Cort. This fun story follows a young boy as he examines all types of puddles and imagines what may be lurking beneath the surface. Some of the puddles he encounters are full of crocodiles, while some are deep enough to go straight through the planet. The rhyming text and colorful illustrations  pair well with the imaginative storytelling. They will bring happy memories to kids and adults alike who fondly remember playing in the puddles.

Playing in the “Mud”

Mud Puddle I Spy – This game is a fun sensory experience that allows kids to search through the “mud” to find what’s hidden beneath. This is a really easy activity that you can adapt for your children and the specific skills they are working on. We are working on letter identification and letter sounds right now, so that is what we focused on the first time we played.

I took a plain sheet of paper and wrote the letters of the alphabet all over it. They were all mixed up and spread around the page. Next, I added brown paint and a little water to a Ziploc bag and sealed it shut. I mixed the paint and water until they were combined, then squeezed some of the excess air out. Finally, I taped the bag down onto the table so it covered the alphabet sheet.

I encouraged her to search for specific letters in the mud by squishing the mud around with her finger. We also tried identifying the sounds of specific letters when we uncovered them, and drawing letters in the mud. She had a lot of fun finding the different letters, and she enjoyed the sensory experience of moving it around with her hands. (I liked that she got the experience of mud without the mess!). You could also try this game with sight words, math problems or small pictures.

Muddy Memories

Muddy Footprints – Every so often, we all need to be reminded to dance in the rain and jump in the puddles. This simple artwork is a good reminder, and would make a nice addition to a playroom or mudroom. I painted my daughter’s feet with washable brown paint and had her press them onto a canvas. She thought this was hilarious, and it was a fun sensory experience for her. Next, I stenciled the quote next to it and painted the words by hand. I plan to add her name and age before hanging it in our playroom.

Avoid the Muddy Puddles!

Mud Puddle Gross Motor Game – This game gives kids an opportunity to get moving while having some clean “mud puddle” fun! Since the story is all about avoiding the danger lurking in the muddy puddles, I decided to add a spin to the game of hopscotch. I set up a series of puddles for her to jump into. You could use pieces of construction paper to create circles, or use paper plates. Since she loves using the leftover Mardi Gras beads to play hopscotch, I used them again here. I gave her a little plastic lid and encouraged her to toss it onto one of the shapes. Next, I asked her to jump from puddle to puddle without landing on the one with the “crocodile” on it. She had a lot of fun trying to find ways around it.

Muddy Snacks

Mud Puddle Surprise Snack – This snack is a spin on one that my mom made up over the years. One of our favorite pie recipes of hers is a chocolate peanut butter pudding pie. She shortened it into this fun pudding cup with a peanut butter and graham cracker crumb surprise hiding inside. This was the perfect snack to go along with this book, since it’s all about the surprises hiding underneath.

First, make a batch of chocolate pudding. Put a little bit into the bottom of a small bowl or ramekin. Add a spoonful of graham cracker crumbs over the top. Put a couple tablespoons of peanut butter into a separate bowl and microwave for about 10 seconds. Stir a couple teaspoons of powdered sugar into the melted peanut butter. Scoop a tablespoon of peanut butter into the center of the bowl or ramekin and cover it with more pudding. When kids dig in, they will be so excited to find the tasty surprise in the middle!

Embrace the Mess and Make Some Memories!

Jump in the Puddles – If you have a chance, take a walk around your neighborhood and jump in the puddles together! Don’t worry about the muddy mess, and throw caution to the wind. It feels good to act like a kid again, and your kids will love seeing you let loose too. Talk about what they think may hiding beneath the surface of the puddles. Let their creative juices flow and encourage them to come up with stories about each of the puddles you jump into.

What are your favorite ways to play in the mud? Share in the comments below!

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