Magical Mud Pies

Title: Magical Mud Pies
Carey Davis & Joan Harkins
Description: Use your imagination to transform two everyday resources that, when mixed together, can take the form of a delicious treat.
Season: In the PNW, all year
Length of Activity: 30 minutes
Age: 3-11
Button: Get your hands dirty

Magical Mud Pies

Did you know that everything in the whole wide world eventually becomes dirt? And that dirt then goes on to grow nearly all foods that feed us?

That’s right, even the zipper on your coat, the hat on your head, and the pots and pans in your kitchen, will, over time, break down and turn into soil.

Everything we eat needs soil to grow.

The bread in your sandwich comes from flour which comes from wheat and wheat needs dirt to bud.

Candy is made using sugar beets, and yep, you guessed it, sugar beets grow in the dirt.

Even the milk you put in your cereal this morning is produced by cows that spend their days munching on grass that could not flourish without nutrient rich soil.

And many of the plates and cups we use to eat and drink also come from the earth. Being made from clay, one of the many forms of dirt that, when fired at high temperatures, creates sturdy pottery.

For this activity, we are going to use our imaginations to transform the dirt right outside our door into a magical mud pie.

Supplies and Tools needed:
● A small bucket or plastic container
● Dirt
● Water
● And strong stick or an old spoon
● A pie pan or an old plate

Getting started
Step 1: Take your bucket or plastic container and fill it up with sand or dirt. Make sure to get permission if you are digging in someone’s garden.

Step 2: Add some water to your bucket.

Step 3: Use your stick or old spoon to mix the water and soil until it feels like thick soup or yogurt. You can also use your hands if you want!

Step 4: Pour your mixture into the pie pan and leave it in the sun to harden.

Step 5: (Optional) Decorate your cake using plants or natural things you find around you. For example, you could use sticks for candles and rocks or dandelions for decorations.

Taking it Deeper
Can you see with the eyes of an artist?

Artists aren’t afraid of experimenting. They often get veryyyyyy messy before they ever create anything wonderful so don’t worry about making a mess. You can always clean it up later!

What other things could you create with mud?