Children are inherently drawn to muddy puddles, making splashes, or walking in water; I was too. You, too, might remember the irresistible urge of muddy puddles from your childhood—the splashes and the freedom. I cherish these memories and integrate these experiences into my home child care because they resonate with me—that was part of my beautiful childhood.
photo of a child in muddy puddles
However, I understand some educators’ hesitation towards the mess and the daunting cleanup, especially when working and managing multi age children alone, as I do. Here’s how I manage this delightful chaos: I prepare a make shift hand washing stand with warm water from my indoor tap, especially when it’s too cold to use the outdoor hose.
Phot of our outdoor classroom in a home child care setting
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As for the muddy boots – they don’t enter the house like the snow boots would. Instead, I use an old dishwasher rack placed outside to store these messy boots without bringing the outdoors in.
photo of a dishwasher rack used for boots rack
Preparation is key. I will make lunch in advance before we venture outdoors. I encourage an easy lunch stored in the refrigerator until it’s time to eat. (sandwiches, cold cuts, cheese, etc.) This simplifies the transition from outdoor mud and mess to a manageable process, which I already know removing clothes and putting on dry clothes from top to bottom takes up a lot of time.
simple lunch for children when the child care provider had a busy day
I also potty the children before going outdoors, although there is bound to be that child who has the urge to pee or poo, and we all have to return indoors. Planning a successful day rather than frustrating one is extremely important when you’re the sole adult managing multiple mixed-age children. Infants in your care can present another challenge, so you must judge your outdoor activities based on the infant’s sleep schedule or dress the infant properly and take the child with you. When I had infants in my care, they participated in messy play. Still, I had to watch them more closely, and it was a bit more complicated to incorporate while working alone and watching many other children jumping off structures, sliding in the mud, or jumping and splashing their friend’s face. Don’t get me wrong – it is doable, and I have always incorporated it, but it is not for the faint of heart. It take alot of work.
Todddler playing in muddy water after the snow melt
If you’re contemplating introducing more messy play but worry about the effort involved, why not start small? Begin with water play during warmer months and gradually introduce more elements. This incremental approach can help you become more comfortable with messier activities without overwhelming yourself or the children.
Infant and toddler play on tuff tray with water and mud
Remember, the setting of in-home child care is inherently different from that of larger centers with multiple staff members. While they might engage in muddy play daily, it’s important to acknowledge our different capacities when we are the only staff member, cook, etc. We can still provide enriching outdoor experiences in rain and snow tailored to our unique situations. Educate yourself about the benefits of messy play, and perhaps you’ll find yourself more eager to dive in—both metaphorically and literally.
children barefeet playing in summer rain with umbrellas
By understanding your limits and slowly expanding them, you can incorporate more adventurous outdoor activities without burnout. Another tip is to have an outdoor messy play day. I like Mondays for my adventurous days because I just wrapped up the weekend, and most times, I am rested and ready for the week. By the time Wednesday rolls around, you may be tempted to do more art, science, or playdough activities than messy outdoor adventures.
children playing in rain mud
Explore my blog for practical tips, personal anecdotes, and supportive guidance designed specifically for solo educators like you. Start your journey toward a more engaging and manageable home childcare environment!
I would love to hear your thoughts. I am your educator working in the trenches with you.
xoxo Miss Sue
