As much as I wish I had been creative enough to think of this myself, I can’t take full credit for this idea. I originally found this fantastic idea on Rhythm of the Home through Pinterest, and I knew it was a keeper. Hey, it involves mud and cooking utensils. What could be better for a bunch of crumb bums like mine?
I searched and searched thrift stores and antique stores until I found the perfect thing: an old beat-up nightstand for $18 that had definitely seen better days. The back of it is all warped out of shape. Which is perfect, because we will be leaving it out in the elements for 3 out of 4 seasons per year, for as long as it lasts, and I won’t feel bad about the weathering that will occur.
I chose a nightstand with a drawer and a top that could shelter some old cooking tools and pots and pans, the latter of which I picked up at Goodwill over the course of the last couple of weeks for less than $10. Small pots, cake pans, an old eggbeater (the current favorite tool), spoons for scooping and stirring, a sifter, and an old basin for water make up quite a collection of mud kitchen supplies.
I placed a large aluminum bucket full of potting soil to the right of the kitchen, and filled a few containers full of cheap kitchen staples, like corn starch and some old rice cereal that no one was ever going to eat. We also added a variety of dried beans, peas, and lentils for decorating their “cakes.” Unfortunately, most of those ended up on the deck after “the dumper” got ahold of them.
But despite all the youngest brother attempts at sabotage, Milo and Oliver were able to make some pretty mean cakes. We put them on the garden wall to dry in the sun, but then it turned freezing cold and rainy again, so we will have to try this again (and again, and again) in the heat of summer!
As for the outdoor kitchen itself, I am sure we will add to it this spring and summer. A couple of hooks on the side would be useful for holding a couple of old dish rags for drying hands and practicing dish-washing. A few more utensils will also be useful, and measuring cups are a must. But for now, the boys are very pleased with this project, and so am I, especially since it means occupying little minds during some long summer days ahead!
Such a great idea! I really like the little side table you got for the project, doesn’t even seem right to leave such a cute piece of furniture out in the elements! 😉
Such fun! We will be doing this soon – when I can stand to be outside for more than 20 minutes. #areyouhereyetspring?
Danielle- I know it looks really cute in the photos, but trust me, it is a piece of crap! Ha, ha!
My boys would go nuts for this! Now if only we had a usable backyard (apartment living sucks in more ways than one).
-Erin
You made me cry today. Not because of this post, but wouldn’t that be awesome if I cried because of a mud/dirt post. 🙂 No, I cried because of the sweet comment you made on my blog. I haven’t been posting anything, but I went today, and there was your comment. Between that comment and a surprise email from a dear friend…well, tears ensued. I hope you have a fun, messy, cleanish day. I also LOVE your spring outfit. So pretty! And that little nightstand you made into a kitchen…I kind of would love to paint that up and bring it inside my home.
So cute! I have seen a few of these on line as well, but I think your’s is the nicest little kitchen- great score. making mud pies and letting them dry on our porch steps is one of my favorite spring memories, this is like the gourmet version of that 🙂
I’m kind of in love with that little table, even though it’s an outdoor mud table. It’s got awesome lines.
But a mud kitchen? How rad is that!!