Yesterday, Engineer and I had a mud snow day. All of the schools were closed because of sleet, slush, and snow. Snoopy and Little Hurricane came over for part of the day, and we were looking forward to playing out in the little bit of snow on the ground.
Of course, by mid-morning, the snow was already starting to melt! The boys were rather disappointed at first, until they discovered the melting snow was leaving mud in its wake! Then they were all about staying outside to play.
Snoopy used a Thomas the Train bath toy in the water and mud, while Engineer had a red toy tractor. The older boys used the train and tractor to move mud and grass. They also had fun making up stories involving mudslides, overflowing dams, and rivers gone wild.
Little Hurricane spent most of his time jumping and splashing in every available puddle! When he wasn’t doing that, he was looking at the water drain pipes. His puddle-jumping drove the older boys crazy, but everyone was happy once he’d found a puddle in a different spot.
All of the boys were rather fascinated by the drain pipes and how they transport water. Snoopy enjoyed using the draining water to clean off Thomas after playing in the mud and grass. Little Hurricane just liked putting his hand into the flowing water (at least until his hands got too cold). Engineer was focused on planning how to fix a leak higher up in the drain pipe!
Yes, this was pretty messy play, but it was FUN. If it hadn’t been for the cold winds and the boys’ need for food, we would have stayed outside the entire day! This play helped the boys explore a variety of concepts through play:
- States of matter (specifically solids and liquids)
- Water’s phase changes (as ice warms, it changes to water)
- Water flows in a downward direction
- Water mixed with dirt creates mud
- Ground soil absorbs water
How do your kiddos play with mud?
Shared at the Kid’s Co-Op, Outdoor Play Party, TGIF Linky Party, Sugar Aunts’ Share It Saturday
My little guy is also fascinated by drain pipes! We regularly loiter in front of certain houses in our neighbourhood because they have drainage pipes sticking out of their lawns and into the ditch. Not an activity I ever would have done before I became a mother! I can’t complain though, I am fortunate to have a son who loves being outside as much as I do.
So true — it’s not something I ever would have done prior to being a mama either! We investigate drain pipes, stop and watch garbage trucks, take the long way almost everywhere we walk! I think Engineer would live outside if he could get away with it. 🙂
I love seeing the boys outside playing in the mud! Mine are so much older now… brought back great memories. And then I remembered all the laundry I used to have to do (my boys LOVED the ditch behind our house) and I’m glad they are a little older 🙂 I still miss it though. Check me out @ http://www.feelingtheemptynest.com when you have time. Thanks 🙂
I had to laugh at your comment — when the little one was napping, the older boys were just in shirts and undies because I was washing their muddy jeans! Of course, they thought that was fun (not as fun as playing in the mud, of course). Thanks for stopping by.
I love the snow dam!
Thank you! 🙂 The two older boys are constantly making dams and talking about dams! Cracks me up!
Mud, glorious mud! This looks like fun! I’ll be featuring your post as part of my Ways To Have Happy Kids roundup from the Weekly Kids’ Co-op. Thanks for sharing. xoxo P
Thanks for featuring this at the Kids Co-Op, Pauline. 🙂 I just popped over, and there are lots of fun ideas there. Hope you’re having a good week!
Hi! This is such a fun idea! We will be featuring your post tomorrow on Share It Saturday at http://www.sugaraunts.com. Stop by and visit if you like. We will also be sharing with our followers on FB and twitter. Are we connected there? Stop by and follow us and leave a message, we will be sure to follow you back. We love to connect with our featured bloggers:) See you again on Share It Saturday!
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Have a Great Weekend!
How great, thank you!! 🙂 I’ll definitely be stopping by tomorrow…Share it Saturday is one of my weekend go-tos. I think we’re already following each other on twitter (I’m @fun_a_day). I’m at Fun-A-Day here on Facebook, and I am a follower of yours from my personal FB account. Thanks again!