Engaging classes for 2 to 5 year olds and their adults in Aberdeen, Scotland to discover nature and play and explore outdoors!
16/06/2026
MUD PIES SUMMER EVENTS PROGRAMME IS OPEN FOR BOOKING, www.mudpieadventures.co.uk/our-classes/!
I'm running 3 weeks of events this summer for 2 to 8 year olds to come and have some woodland fun.
There will be stick man making, marshmallow toasting and some uber big bubble popping!
See www.mudpieadventures.co.uk/our-classes for all the details.
Looking forward to seeing you!
Mandy Tulloch xx
08/06/2026
The Barn, Banchory, has a lovely new walled garden and is celebrating its opening on Father's Day, 21st June, 12 noon to 4pm!
There's going to be loads of things to do and they've invited me along to toast lots of marshmallows at their lovely fire pit area. 🔥🔥🔥
So come for an afternoon of sweet nature fun - I'm sure Dads will love it too! 😉
Free but booking essential, https://thebarnarts.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173673407.
Mandy T
08/05/2026
I was working in a wonderful school today in Aberdeen and we had a fantastic time making birthday cake mud pies for the one and only David Attenborough, obviously to celebrate his 100th birthday. We talked about his amazing life, how much he loves nature and if he hadn't been at the Albert Hall tonight how he surely would have visited us to eat all of the cakes we'd made him!
He is quoted as asking, "if children won't protect nature, who will?" All the children today promised to look after the natural world for the future - a birthday present indeed for such an inspirational individual!
27/04/2026
I had a fab afternoon on Saturday with Nick and Katie Millott of Deeside Willow, making a plant obelisk out of willow. It only took 2 hours to create, using 10 long uprights and lots of smaller withies. Nick and Katie had organised everything brilliantly and were such enthusiastic teachers - they know so much about willow!
They grow lots of lovely varieties at their farm and whilst it's the end of the season they might still have availability if you're looking to create or grow something green. They also run willow weaving workshops throughout the year. Have a look at their website, https://www.deesidewillow.com for details. Highly recommended - their workshops would make a really fun thing to do with friends or a fab present for someone crafty! Mandy
22/04/2026
We've been finding out about dandelions at Mud Pies this week given they're popping up everywhere at the moment.
Did you know? Dandelions are so named not due to their yellow lion's mane-like flowers but after their sharp jagged leaves that resemble lions teeth - the English name comes from the old french phrase "dent-de-lion," which means "lion's tooth".
I love dandelions because:
- they're a great source of spring nectar for insects. If you don't want anymore in your garden just pull off the heads once they've flowered
- you can make jam with the flowers. It's really easy and fun and often known as vegan honey. I'll post a recipe soon!
- there are oodles of them which means it's ok to pick some. All kids should get to pick flowers sometimes!
- you can use the stems to make buzzy, raspberry noises - just pull off the flower, take a big breath and blow!
Muddy Faces, the fab online outdoorsy shop, has loads of dandelion ideas at https://muddyfaces.co.uk/activities/inspirations/inspirations-dandelions.
And the French? They call dandelions "pissenlit" due to the diruetic affects if you eat the leaves!
Mandy Tulloch
15/04/2026
Know any 3 to 10 year olds who like exploring, camp fires and toasting marshmallows??!!!
If so, come along to Muir Homes at Blairs just up off the South Deeside Road on either this Saturday 18th or Sunday 26th April. We'll be exploring around their fab grounds collecting sticks, lighting a camp fire and making a few delicious s'mores!
Ages: 3 - 10. All children to be accompanied an adult
Mornings: registration at 10am. Event runs 10.30am to 12 noon
Afternoons: registration at 1.30pm. Event runs 2pm to 3.30pm
Free Admission but booking essential. Contact Louise Craig, Muir Homes Sales Manager - M: 07946 412320 or E: [email protected].
See you there!
Mandy Tulloch
13/04/2026
It was so great to be back out in the woods today at Mud Pies!
We collected just the right kind of stick to make some of the best stick men/ladies/boys and babies around. I just LOVE the creations children make with such simple things as sticks, blu tac and googly eyes!
There are still a few spaces at Mud Pies if you'd like to join in on the weekly nature fun. See https://www.mudpieadventures.co.uk/our-classes/ for more details.
Mandy T
Hello fellow foragers - can you help me?!
This is some wild garlic I planted in my garden a few years ago. I collected the seed from Dunnottar Woods in Stonehaven but do you know of any other places it grows in the north east?
The reason I ask is because getting out foraging is one of the best ways to get kids switched on to the wonders of nature! It's fun, easy to collect, free and delicious!
In Aberdeen there is loads of it in Seaton Park - on the steep banks near to the Brig O'Balgownie and I think there is more near Kepplestone somewhere. Do you know of other places it grows? Let me know and I'll make a list so that everyone can make their own wild garlic pesto. 😋😋😋🙏🙏🙏
Bit of a cold day here, as you can hear, but these lovely pink flowers are called flowering currant and for me are one of the first plants you can forage for in spring 🥳🥳🥳!
The flowers are edible by themselves and being related to blackcurrant do remind you of Ribena. Infused with some sugar they make a great cordial with an interesting fruity taste.
Dissolve a cup of sugar in a cup of water and add a cup of flowers. Leave to infuse overnight then the next day strain. Add some to a glass, top of with water and taste. You can add some lemon juice to balance the sweetness if you like. Enjoy!