Mud Pies and Mud Ball Critters
This fun, simple tutorial for making mud pies and mud ball critters is inspired by the adventures of Martin & Sylvia in the "Nature School" collection. From wild craft cooking to outdoor games to building projects to tree identification, Nature School makes up a year of learning and fun for brother and sister!
Read along to get started and dig in.
Stories to Inspire!
In this Martin and Sylvia Nature School story, "Pretend Poetry", there has been a string of warm days where brother and sister live. Consequently, Sylvia wonders if Spring has arrived. Daddy — and then Sofia — assure her that Winter would return. However, t it isn't until Mrs. Brown explores the "pretend Spring" through Haiku poetry that Sylvia truly understands.
Playing with mud can be much like visual poetry. You can mold it and shape it just like you can words and syllables in a Haiku.
This fun and creativity-inspiring tutorial to make your own mudpies and mudball critters is perfect to encourage learning through play!
Digging your fingers into mud is one of those simple childhood joys that children never grow tired of. In fact, Sparkle is full of stories that help kids connect with the outdoors (and get their hands dirty in the process!).
Another darling Martin & Sylvia Story, "Lemons and Mud", is perfect to help little ones get inspired about creative play and resourcefulness! This is where magic, creativity, and learning flourish! Give this fun Sparkle Craft a try after listening to one of these featured stories (in fact you can explore this entire playlistof stories to inspire outdoor play).
Let's Get Started!
The best part of this mud craft project is that you most likely already have everything your child will need. Even if you only have a small porch with no yard, you can get started with a bucket and a bag of top soil.
-soil
-water
-cups, bowls, jugs, plates, muffin tins, pie pans, spice shakers, recycled containers, sifters, spoons, etc.
-treasures from nature: leaves, flowers, grass, twigs, bark, berries, pebbles, seeds, seashells, etc.
How to Make Mud Pies
How to Make Mud Ball Critters
The idea for mud ball critters came from a group of children in my summer camps. One child proudly showed off her perfectly round mud ball. Another child said “Hey, that looks like a head.” Eyes, nose and mouth were added and mud ball critters were born. We have been making them ever since.
Step 1: Gather bits and pieces from nature with your child that can be used for eyes, nose, mouth, ears and hairs.
Step 2: Slowly add water to soil until the right consistency is reached. If it’s too dry, the soil won’t stick together. If it’s too wet it won’t hold it’s round shape.
For more nature and play focused ideas that nurture your child’s imagination and creativity visit Entangled Harmony.
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About the Author

Noreen Greimann
Noreen Greimann helps parents fill their children’s life with magic and joy with her Back-to-the-Basics approach. Her short stories and activity series have become a popular resource for parents, and encompass 20 years of her experience coaching families with young children. She also shares her wisdom, experiences and ideas on her blog Entangled Harmony. When she is not writing, Noreen runs a nature program for children in Pennsylvania, where she lives with her husband, two kids and several colonies of honeybees on an acre filled with gardens, tree forts and fairy houses.