*BOOK GIVEAWAY is now closed. Congratulations ecooperman!*
Kangaroos box. Rats wrestle. Wolves play tug-of war. In tumbling, rolling, rollicking prose, Play Like an Animal by Maria Gianferrari (with sweet illustrations by Mia Powell) describes how animals learn to hunt, escape and get along with each other through play. Play Like an Animal offers just the right amount of information and inspires young readers to go play, race, chase, spin and splash.
Which brings me to today’s maker challenge: making mud paint!
With everyone stuck at home and conducting work and school through our screens, it’s important to remember that we all need to get down in the dirt once in a while. Collared peccaries, rhinos and river otters love mud–and so do kids. It’s springtime. Mud is plentiful! And making mud paint is simple, sensory and weirdly satisfying to little ones and their grown-ups. Here’s what you need:
Mud (I scooped some from my teeny-tiny urban backyard)
Tempera paint, also known as poster paint. Food coloring will work, too.
Containers (yogurt containers, bowls or Tupperware)
Paintbrushes, spatulas, spoons, forks (whatever you have on hand to spread, squish, or splatter with)
Thick paper or an outdoor surface like a smooth driveway or wood fence (any surface you can wash down). I didn’t have any card stock on hand so I used the inside of a paper grocery bag.
Other things you need: clothes you don’t care about. A get-down-and-muddy attitude. And maybe a tub of sudsy water for cleaning up afterward.
How to mix your paint:
Add tempera powder or a glob of wet paint. Mix in water slowly until you get the consistency you want. I mixed small amounts, but if you’re outside, you can make big batches. That’s it–enjoy!
For more information about author Maria Gianferrari, check out her website. To see more of Mia Powell’s art and illustrations, visit here.
And remember: *BOOK GIVEAWAY! ENTER NOW BY ADDING A COMMENT BELOW.*
I will select a name at random and notify you in 2 weeks if you’re the winner.
homemadecity.com 
I love this idea. I want to go paint my white fence!
I would like to see that! 🙂
If you do, post a photo–would love to see it! We need all the color and light we can get these days!!
What a great idea! I can’t wait to try painting with mud!
It’s messy, Kate. But fun. Something to do when you’re not lesson planning!
Time to get messy with mud!
Ooh – pretty! Reminds me a bit of salt painting. Congrats Maria and Mia – I am looking forward to getting your book when the bookstores open once again!
It looks like fun, doesn’t it, Cathy? I hope you are safe & well ❤
Thank you for your playful and creative spirit, Margaret!! ❤ ❤ ❤
Great recipe for fun!
Thanks, Dionna!
Hi Dionna :)!!
Thank you for this fun idea!! Wishing you health and peace!
Thank you, Sarah! Are you feeling better? xo
I am very happy to say I emerged from self-isolation today. Still not feeling 100%, but very glad I was able to rejoin my family!!! Thank you!!
Activities are more important for households today than ever. Thank you for the ideas.
Thank you, Danielle!
Hello & thanks for being such a loyal blog tour follower, Danielle 🙂
Thank you for this! Lots of mud now that the snow has melted. 💚
Thank you, Wendy! It’s a muddy day again, in fact 🙂
Lots of mud to plop about in!
Those colors are so vibrant! And the book looks like it would be a phenomenal addition to our outdoor classroom.