Why Playing in the Mud Is Good for Children (and All of Us)

Children have always known what science is now confirming — that there is something healing about playing in the dirt.

A handful of soil isn’t just dust and grit. It’s alive — a living community of bacteria, fungi, and tiny organisms that help shape the health of the earth and, as it turns out, our bodies too.

Research shared by the Children & Nature Network reminds us that messy, muddy play is a wonderful way to connect children to nature. Far from being harmful, microbes found in the soil help build strong immune systems and emotional resilience.

A study from Finland found that when children played in daycare yards enriched with forest soil, their skin and gut microbes became more diverse, and immune markers improved in just a few weeks. We also know from other studies that contact with soil bacteria may help reduce inflammation, boost serotonin, and support overall wellbeing. In short — a bit of dirt helps children grow strong inside and out!

Beyond Immunity: What Mud Play Teaches

When children dig, mix, and build with soil, they’re doing more than “getting dirty.”They’re strengthening their bodies, their imaginations, and their connection to the natural world.

Here’s what the research — and years of observation in nature play — tell us:

• Physical strength and coordination: Digging, carrying, pouring, and balancing are all great ways to build fine and gross motor skills.

• Sensory development: The cool texture of mud, the scent of wet soil, and the occasional wriggly worm we might find in it — they all stimulate the senses in a way screens never can.

• Creativity and problem-solving: In the mud kitchen, there are no instructions. Children experiment, create, and imagine endlessly.

• Connection and care: Through hands-on experience, children see soil as alive and essential — sparking a sense of stewardship for the earth.

A Balanced Approach to Cleanliness

Of course, parents and educators still want to keep children safe — and that’s absolutely right. Playing in the dirt doesn’t mean ignoring hygiene. It simply means restoring balance.

Here are a few simple ways to do that:

• Choose safe areas — gardens, bushland, or parks free from contamination.

• Encourage hand washing after play and before meals.

• Cover cuts or scrapes before children head outdoors.

• Dress for mess — boots and old clothes make cleanup easier.

• Offer time and space for muddy play without rushing to stop it.

With those small steps, children can enjoy the benefits of nature while staying healthy and protected. And remember, you don't need any fancy play equipment. Even a small patch of earth can become a world of discovery.

Try these simple ideas:

• Create a mud kitchen or garden bed at home or school.

• Let children help in the garden, turning soil, planting seeds, or searching for worms.

• Add natural materials — leaves, sticks, sand — to outdoor play spaces for variety and biodiversity.

• Make dirt play a regular rhythm, not a rare treat. A few minutes each day outdoors makes a big difference.

In those moments of mess and discovery, children connect to the living world that holds and sustains them. And perhaps, when we slow down enough to join them — even for a few minutes — we remember that we belong to that world too.

Lidia x