Mastering Mud, Enjoying Spring

Spring is here, and we have some tips to help you embrace the fun, and minimize the stress of clean-up.

1. Laundry basket - Grocery tote - Large reusable bag (such as Ikea)

   Put a large basket or tote by your front door if your adventure is walking distance, in your car if you are driving, or packed in your backpack if you use public transit.

2. Rain gear (if it’s cold put it over the snowsuit)

   Mud suits, rain pants, rain coats, rain boots go over everything else even on sunny days. The mud stays on the outside. If it is cold, put warm clothing under the rain and mud-proof clothing.

3. Remove gear into the basket, tote, or bag

   Have your child stand in the basket/tote/bag and take their muddy clothing off from the top to bottom, then step out of the basket/tote leaving the muddy things behind.

4. Dry gear (showers/bath) then decide if you will shake it off or spray it down or wash it.

   Hang gear to dry (we often use our bath for this). You can use a shower to spray the worst of the mud off or simply let it dry and then take it outside and shake it hard to shake off the dried mud. The gear will be clean enough for your next adventure. This reduces how often everything needs to be washed.

5. Wash hands and faces as needed.

   Often your child will be mostly clean under their rain gear. Washing hands and faces will be all that is needed.

Written by Tandy Morton, WILD CHILD facilitator