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Make · Wild and Tumble activity

Wattle and daub wall

Build like people did long ago. Weave sticks into a little wall, then cover it in squishy mud.

  • 30 min total
  • Messy fun
  • Ages 3–5*
  • Outdoors
  • Spring to autumn
Let's do this

*Illustrative age guidance. Your child's development and circumstances matter more than a number.

A tiny plan for your day

Estimated time: 5 min to prepare · 20 min to build · 5 min to tidy. It's fine to stop early.

Before you start

What you’ll need

  • A few sturdy upright sticks pushed into soft ground
  • Long bendy twigs or grass
  • A bucket of thick, sticky mud

Let's begin

Five simple steps

That's the whole activity. Tick each step off as you go, and stop whenever you like.

  1. Grown-up job

    An adult pushes four or five sticks into the ground in a row.

  2. Little one leads

    Your child weaves bendy twigs in and out between them. That's the wattle.

  3. Squish mud onto both sides with your hands. That's the daub!

  4. Smooth it over and leave it to dry.

  5. Is it strong? Could a toy hide behind it?

All done!

That's every step. However it went, you made a little moment together.

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