Dimensions: 43 x 96 x 108; Material: Wood; Age range: Unspecified What to look for when choosing a mud kitchen?

As the mother of two children, Erin and Neve, our writer Lucy was determined to provide honest and independent advice on the fantastic mud kitchens your little ones will love using. A selection of treated wood (quantity will depend upon the size of the mud kitchen you plan to make)

Studies have shown that playing outdoors is fantastic for a child’s physical and mental well-being. Research by scientists at the University of Bristol has also suggested that getting their hands dirty can boost children's immune systems and makes them happier and more relaxed. What to look for when choosing a mud kitchen Unlike Mary Berry’s bakes, the best mud pies need to have a soggy bottom, which is where the water butt and working tap on this triple mud kitchen really come into their own. The best mud kitchen for your family will very much depend on your requirements, however, for its high quality, versatility, substantial size and range of accessories included, we feel the TP Muddy Madness is the best mud kitchen you can buy today. Whether you’re buying for a single child or for siblings to share together, this mud kitchen offers great value for money and is built to last the test of time. How we chose our recommendations Recommendations from real Mumsnet users

Age suitability: Most mud kitchens are suitable from three years of age, though a few come without accessories that suggest it would be ok from 18 months. Look at the height measurement in the product dimensions to ensure it will suit each of your children. If you're buying your first mud kitchen, the TP toys early fun mud kitchen is a good starting point with a low price point. Where to buy a mud kitchen and accessories? Key specs: Size: H105 x W127 x L90cm | Material: Wood | Accessories included: Metal bowl | Age suitability: Three years and over | Assembly time: Not specified What we love: Furniture, large play equipment, heavy items etc or items marked with **may incur an additional delivery charge to Northern Ireland, Isle of Wight, Offshore Islands and some parts of Scotland. This really depends on whether your child likes imaginative play and making a mess! It may be worth investigating how your kids react to this kind of play before making the investment, for example by putting a bowl and utensils in the garden for them initially to see what they do.Mud kitchens vary quite a bit in height – it’s worth finding a kitchen that has a countertop that’s level with your children’s hips. This will make it comfortable and easy for them to access the various areas. Cupboards, although not essential, are often a nice thing to have in a mud kitchen – it mimics a real kitchen, so invites children to engage in imaginative play. Position your mud kitchen in an area that has easy access to either sand or mud. It’s also nice to have running water nearby – an outdoor tap or a water butt, but equally just some containers full of water work well. You can also add extra elements like food colourings, herbs or chalk to grind up. The limit is really yours and your child’s imaginations. You can attach a garden hose to the tap - hours of fun!" (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user DownWhichOfLate) Our verdict The TP Muddy Madness Mud Kitchen is a thoughtfully designed toy that encourages lots of creative play, from preparing ‘veg’ on the removable countertop to washing up in the large sink underneath. There’s plenty of room and a variety of play zones and activities, so up to three children can easily play together.

My daughter has the Chad Valley one from Argos... it's brilliant, she got it for her birthday in the summer & absolutely loves it” (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user TellerTuesday4EVA) Once the two end pieces are complete, attach the floor and table boards between the two and screw them into place. Key specs: Size: H x 105; W x 93.5; D x 52.5 cm | Material: Untreated wood | Accessories included: 8 stainless steel utensils | Age suitability: Three years and over | Assembly time: One hour plus What we love: Whether or not your mud kitchen comes with some pots or pans, you’ll probably want to add some toy kitchenware to give your child even more to create mud masterpieces with:It allows kids to get messy and have fun in the garden, where the mess doesn't matter so much for parents! Chat to your child about what they'd like to see in their mud kitchen but remember they can add their own extras and that's all part of the creative play.