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Mud Bar ~ Reclaimed Backyard Kid Fun!

Summer is the best time to be outdoors and what better way to get your kids outside than to build them a Mud Bar.  Yes…I said Mud Bar.  Kids + mud = FUN!!

Build a Mud Bar Play Station out of Reclaimed Wood by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Two of my girls have birthdays a couple weeks apart in late spring.  So, we typically lump them together when it comes to gift giving.  That way they get an even better gift when the money is dumped into one spot.

MUDDY FUN

With this project, though, there was very little money spent.  (the best kind!)

Build a Mud Bar Play Station out of Reclaimed Wood by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpiecesWe used the wonderful tutorial found at remake.life – awesome site full of repurposed projects.

Build a Mud Bar Play Station out of Reclaimed Wood by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

I salvaged all the wood from our city-wide spring cleanup from old fence wood, shed wood, you name it!

Build a Mud Bar Play Station out of Reclaimed Wood by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Gotta share this funny story with you.  During our four week long cleanup I was only perusing our local area, not really thinking about going all over the city.  I was accumulating a hefty pile of wood hoping to build our garden (see this post) and knew we wanted to build the girls a mud bar.

Our super-nice mailman, also a gardener, asked if I saw the awesome pile of 10″ wide x 10′ long oak boards a couple of streets over.  (my ears are now perked up…seriously….OAK!!)  To which I replied that I hadn’t been on that street yet.  He said I should go take a look because if I didn’t want it, he was going to grab it to make a clubhouse for his boys.

FREEEE!!

Needless to say, I jumped in my suburban and raced headed over there.  I jumped out and started to grab it up.  Then, what did I hear?  The trash truck coming!!!  EEEEK!  I loaded the last board as the truck was a couple houses behind me.  I even scored an 8’x6′ piece of untouched wainscoting!

You can imagine what the people were thinking watching me kick it into high gear trying to load that wood lickety-split.  Ha!

Build a Mud Bar Play Station out of Reclaimed Wood by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpiecesWe are so glad we were able to build this table because my kids, all 6 of them, love it. From mud pies, to tea for two (or ten!), and plenty of space for guests…what kid could ask for more?

Build a Mud Bar Play Station out of Reclaimed Wood by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpiecesLet them get themselves immersed in tactile play, then just grab the hose and clean it up. (warning: your kids may need the hose too)

We found all our items thrifting or at garage sales…heart-shaped pans, bundt cake pans, pots, spoons ladles, and the most fun…colanders.  You know, dump the stuff (water or dirt) in and watch it slowing run out.  Can’t beat it.

Build a Mud Bar Play Station out of Reclaimed Wood by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

A couple of the pots are inset to create a sink and then they can pull them out, dump their mixture, and begin again.

Build a Mud Bar Play Station out of Reclaimed Wood by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpiecesSo grab yourself some unloved wood and put together a super-fun play station for you kids.  They’ll love you for it!!

Build a Mud Bar Play Station out of Reclaimed Wood by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

UPDATE: You can see how we created our patio pergola and new play area here in this post with video tour.

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Also, more reclaimed fun like this mud bar:

How to Freshen Up Your Outdoor Decor with Repurposed Planters and Succulents by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.comAntique Treadle Sewing Machine Repurposed with Early 1900's Barn Wood Using Weatherwood Stain by Prodigal Pieces | prodigalpieces.com

Comments

    • Larissa says

      Believe me Suzanne, they will love it! Thanks for stopping by and I’d love to link up! :o)

  1. Sharon says

    I think this is just adorable…and plan on sharing it with my daughter!

    • Larissa says

      Fabulous! I hope she builds one. I’d love to see it too!

    • Larissa says

      Thanks, Bev! The absolutely have a blast. I have to bite my lip sometimes when they come to me mud-caked hands and all with a gorgeous mud pie…..memories. (sigh)

  2. Prairie Kari says

    Great idea – what kid doesn’t love mud! I want to build this for my nephew and I guarantee I would be getting my hands muddy too! 😉

    You must give your mailman more that a card at Christmas for tips like that on the oak boards – what a find! ~ Kari

    • Larissa says

      Right on…me too! Good idea about my mailman…he’s even my composted manure source! Ha. :o)

  3. Revi says

    Great project! Love it, and love your name and all that it implies. First time visitor and new follower via home talk!
    -Revi

    • Larissa says

      Thank you, Revi! Completely wanting to give God the glory in all I do. Glad to have you following along. :o)

  4. Donna at Funky Junk Interiors says

    Just WOWWWWWW!!! I adore this so much! Sure beats sitting IN the mud like I did as a kid. LOL I’ve featured this fabulous project on this weekend’s upcoming Party Junk! Cya Friday! 🙂

    Donna

    • Larissa says

      tee hee hee….thank you, Donna! :o) I know that’s what inspires me to create for my kids, taking play to a new level.

  5. Artsy VaVa says

    What fun for your kids! That is a much better way to make mud pies than the way I did it when I was little, sitting on the curb or in a puddle. Love it!

    • Larissa says

      So glad you like it! Yes, it is super fun…I guess I live through my kids. :o)

  6. Susan D says

    This is an amazing idea! Kids are going to get dirty outside anyway, might as well have them do it in style!

    • Larissa says

      Thank you Leslie! I’d love to stop by…thank you for the invitation. :o)

  7. Roeshel says

    Another feature! lol I’m including it in this week’s DIY highlights. Larissa – this is SO fun! I’d be baking mud pies everyday! lol! Love it!

    • Larissa says

      Super!! Wouldn’t we all if we just had the time? I live vicariously through my kids. :O)

  8. Bliss says

    I was the mud pie queen as a kid, this would of been my favorite past time and to me this is the best toy EVER!

    Stopping in to pin, because I know a couple kids who must have one of these.
    Bliss

  9. Debbie Borthwick says

    This is ingenious! I have to show this to my husband so we can make one for our grandkids! And I know the perfect spot to put it, too. What a fun spring (if it ever gets here) project, and I’ll be the boys would love to help grandpa build it, too. I had to come over from Bliss’s to pin and see your post after she posted about it today. Love it!!
    Debbie 🙂

  10. Good Time Charlie says

    I just saw this at Bliss Ranch! I don’t know how I missed it the first time around. I must have been very busy last July! I am sharing on my FB page tomorrow, this is the CUTEST project!

  11. Adriana Grava says

    Espaço maravilhoso para curtir com as crianças.

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