To buy a mud kitchen a 9 year old

[SneakySnackySquirrel]

So.. she has asked for a mud kitchen for Christmas(her main present). They had one at school which she enjoyed but it broke. She makes a beeline to the one at the pub we regularly go to. Husband isn't keen as he doesn't think it will be used and thinks it's just novelty and she's too old.

She's also crazy tall so that's another thing to factor in because many of them are quite small and won't be practical for her.

Would you get one? If so, do you know of any taller ones? I'm rubbish at DIY so although they are theoretically easy to build, I would make a mess of it and husband won't build one.

I think it might be a lot of fun for her to design her own mud kitchen, you could look on Pinterest together for ideas and help her source second hand bits and pieces. The kids I look after have a shop bought mud kitchen and it's just cupboards and shelves and two bowls.

My 10 year old still loves our mid kitchen. Still likes making potions and mixtures.
Ours is homemade by my not at all practical husband but is fine.
I’d see if you can get a nice one made for you

Just the words 'mud kitchen' make me shudder

Just the words 'mud kitchen' make me shudder

Why on earth would it make you shudder?

What's a mud kitchen?

My daughter has this one. Loves it. Because it attaches to a wall you could have it at a higher height?

www.tptoys.com/outdoor-toys/sandpits/mud-kitchens_1/tp-deluxe-mud-kitchen-playhouse-accessory.htm

My DD's 11 and still makes fairy gardens and plays with a dolls house.

Quite a few DIY mud kitchen ideas here, most can be made to any height.

www.1001gardens.org/20-mud-kitchen-ideas/

Can you do a den/treehouse? With a kitchen area? That way she has the den to play with for longer and the kitchen bit can be used in a variety of ways. She could be involved in design or building of it.

My DD is 10 but she'd be delighted with a den, and would definitely play with a mud kitchen if it was included.

Your DD sounds lovely OP

@TheAlternativeTentacle for the completely obvious reasons I'd have thought. On the one hand, lovely, wholesome outdoor fun for children. On the other, a complete bloody trail of destruction and mess

We got one from a local company. :) They are giving it taller legs for her too. I'll get some pots and stuff for her and get it all wrapped up for Christmas. I'm excited!

@ThePhoenixRises every Christmas she gets a toothbrush and toothpaste in her stocking. She loved different coloured toothbrushes when she was younger so it's become a bit of a tradition. Definately get yours some this year!

@TheAlternativeTentacle like I've just said to Pheonix, it is a Christmas tradition. I only mentioned it in context of not having a list really.

Make one! We've made one for DS out of 4 bits of wood! Cost nothing. Doesn't matter if it gets used or not.

Your daughter sounds amazing. I want fancy toothpaste now!!

You could build one from pallets then it will be tall enough for her. Use a stainless steel mixing bowl for the sink

Glad to hear you've gone with it, OP.

And to the pp who said she won't get use out of it at Christmas, I can guarantee, as she's the kind of girl who wants one, a mud kitchen can be used in all weathers for all kinds of things!

I’d get one, or if you or he are able I’d make her a taller one that fits better. Let her be a kid, play is so important to their learning and development!

I would look at getting a potting bench but maybe amend it to be kitcheny. The right height and would last years.

Your husband's a prat.

Of course get her one! Maybe she'll be a clay sculptor one day, or a chef, or a chemist! I reckon you should either DIY one, have one commissioned or present her with lots of random bits (check out freecycle/gumtree/local facebook selling pages etc) and help her create her very own! I would definitely make sure there's some sort of working 'tap' system so she can pour water directly into the basins. Also a cupboard underneath that can be an oven. Check out Pinterest for inspiration.

Take a picture when it's all done. Sounds so fun!