Mud pie is sure to be on the menu for the budding chefs making use of newly crafted RAD Dad mud kitchens across the Macedon Ranges.
A group of local fathers is behind the initiative that has seen several mud kitchens crafted to be donated to those in need or sold to fundraise for the Macedon Ranges Suicide Prevention Action Group.
The group is known as the Macedon Ranges’ RAD Dads: a supportive network of fathers that encourages good mental health and wellbeing while connecting with their children.
Founder Gab Carazo rallied handy members to combine their skills for what began as a small project and soon expanded with great enthusiasm.
“A mud kitchen is an outdoor sensory play area for children that mimics a real kitchen, but with materials like mud, sand, water, natural elements for children to explore and create with,” Gab explained.
“It’s typically made from repurposed or natural materials like wood and includes various containers, utensils, and tools for kids to use in their play.”
The group has crafted mud kitchens for local playgroups like Kyneton Playgroup, and built another to be raffled at the Kyneton Show to raise money for the Kyneton Playgroup.Community interest then saw requests flowing in for local families wishing to purchase their handiwork.
“We’ve had some super generous offers from many people who wish to support this project and requesting to purchase a mud kitchen for their kids,” Gab said.
The group decided to build 10 mud kitchens to sell with funds being donated to the Macedon Ranges Suicide Prevention Group.
Now the group has plans to contact local food banks and the ‘small talk’ playgroup to see if there are local families in need who might benefit from a mud kitchen leading up to Christmas.
