Good Mud: Getting Messy at The Ranch!
04/03/2025
Looking out of The Ranch office window there is still a fair amount of mud around – but that is something we fully embrace here in the Play Team!
It has been proved that playing with mud stimulates the immune system because of all the friendly microorganisms in the dirt. It can help to build resilience to allergies, asthma, anxiety, and depression. In addition it increases serotonin levels in the brain, regulates mood, and reduces stress. Making mud pies or building dams promotes problem-solving skills, abstract thinking, and complex perception. So, we absolutely LOVE mud! And children and young people here at The Ranch certainly love the stuff too. They jump in it, cycle through it, and get well and truly covered in glorious mud!
Adventure playgrounds like ours (one of the country’s first) encourages children to embrace mess, learn through trial and error, and to develop a can-do attitude. Children develop resilience and self-confidence by getting mucky. They learn how to manage discomfort and make decisions, as well as to foster a sense of pride and accomplishment.
So, the next time you see muddy footprints from the front door and across the carpet, please try not to explode, just remember all the benefits mud gives our kids!
