Mudbath - suggestions please

[Contemplatinglife]

Hello, garden is a mud bath and I’m at end of my tether with dog and kids coming in with mucky paws and shoes. Thought about decking but concerned vermin might move in underneath, slabs might sink? No idea! Help! Should add it’s quite a small area that doesn’t get a lot of sun

Photos?

Shade = bad for mud. Get it paved professionally, or (cut my tongue out for saying this) consider artificial turf?

I’d be embarassed to share photos so hopefully a more detailed explanation will paint a picture. Square garden with shed in corner and a ghastly concrete path round the outside. Mudbath in centre. Small border up one side next to fence. I wondered if the artificial turf would be an issue with the dog? Please excuse my ignorance I’ve no clue!

What about gravel? Cleaner than a mud bath, still porous for drainage and you could plant things through it. Like herbs stuck as thyme that don't mind being stepped on, tasty and good for bees. Or even an attractive tree to sit under in the future.