Frequently Asked Questions
Will we be outside in all weather?
We will play outdoors in all kinds of weather, unless it becomes unsafe or heavy rainfall is in the forecast. We are a fully outdoor program, so please be prepared and dress accordingly. We encourage adults to bring an umbrella on rainy days. Different types of weather give children new learning opportunities and builds resilience. We want to show children that we can have fun in all kinds of weather and not to miss out on playing outside, waiting for “perfect” weather days. Rainy days are the best for jumping in puddles!
We will refer to the child care weather watch chart to help determine if the weather is unsafe to play. We will notify you by text and email if we need to cancel a play session. We will let you know the day of by 8:00am, if we will be closed due to inclement weather. A make-up session or a refund will be offered if Muddy Buddies decides to cancel a session.
Do Muddy Buddies play sessions run year round?
We play outdoors every season! We close for the month of January. New play session dates will be posted every couple of months on our registration page. We provide the link to register on our website and on Facebook (Muddy Buddies) and Instagram (@muddybuddies_play). We hope you look out for our family Muddy Buddies pop-up events as well!
What should we wear?
Please dress for the weather! We can enjoy all kinds of weather as long as we have the right clothing and gear. A waterproof outer layer will be best even on dry days because children will have access to water play and messy materials every session. On cooler days, dress in layers! Layers allow your child to add or take off clothing as needed while moving and playing and adjusting to changes in temperature. The best base layers for wet and cold weather are wool and fleece. Please know that when cotton gets wet, it has no warming ability and keeps you cold. Children will need comfortable, close toed shoes with gripping soles. Rain boots, winter boots and sneakers are the best footwear for playing at Muddy Buddies.
Will my child get dirty?
Yes! We embrace messy play at Muddy Buddies! Dirt, mud, paint, glue...and more! We want to have fun and getting messy means your child is experimenting and learning. Please be prepared to get dirty. Dress your child in “play clothes.” Rain suits or snow suits over clothes are a good idea on colder days. On hot days, a swim shirt can work well for wet, messy play. We will provide a “wash-up” station for families to use during play and before they leave the farm.
What should we bring?
A snack and a water bottle are a good idea to have for you and your child. We will have an area designated for eating snacks. Muddy Buddies has adopted a nut-free policy. Please do not bring any food containing peanuts and tree nuts. Please read all food labels carefully! Thank you for your help in keeping everyone safe.
It’s also a good idea to pack extra clothes, insect repellent and sunscreen.
What about ticks?
Unfortunately, ticks are a concern during any type of outdoor play. The best thing we can do is to be prepared and not let ticks stop us from enjoying the many benefits of nature play! We advise you to apply insect repellent to you and your child prior to the start of each session. Please be sure to spray shoes and socks. Light colored socks and clothing are a good idea to make it easier to spot a tick. If you have any other questions or concerns about ticks, please ask.
Is there a bathroom?
Yes, there is a bathroom available at Squire farm in the main building. However, there is only one, so please have your child use the bathroom at home before coming to play! If your child wears diapers, you will need to bring a changing mat. We will have a wash up station available outside.
Can we show up and pay “at the door?”
Everyone needs to register in advance, unless the session is specifically labeled as a “drop-in play event.”
What happens if we miss a play session, need to cancel or if my child is sick?
Policy Update (effective June 1, 2026)
All tickets are non-refundable.
Tickets are transferable to another family for the same class date only. Transfers and any payment arrangements are handled directly between families.
No make-up sessions will be offered for missed classes. Simplifying scheduling helps us spend more time creating fun outdoor experiences for your children.
New attendees using a transferred ticket must have a parent/caregiver complete a waiver upon arrival.
We will no longer maintain a wait-list.
Questions about this update? Please reach out.
What is Discovery Woods?
Discovery Woods is our newest play area at Squire Farm- opening in June 2026! Discovery Woods Open Play sessions offer children the opportunity to explore our woodland play space in a smaller group setting through child-led, open-ended play experiences. Children are free to move, explore and engage with natural materials in a more rustic outdoor setting designed to inspire curiosity, support age appropriate risk-taking, encourage problem solving and creativity and connection to nature. Each session is 90 minutes long, including the walk to and from Discovery Woods.
This woodland space includes swings, digging areas, climbing features, building, mud play, loose parts exploration, art experiences and uneven terrain that are currently best suited for children ages 3-7 years old with a parent/caregiver.
Important Safety Notice: For the safety of all participants, siblings under 3 years old are not allowed in Discovery Woods play sessions at this time, except for non‑mobile infants who are being carried or placed in a stroller. As we continue developing our programming in Discovery Woods, we may introduce toddler-focused, or mixed age sessions in the future that are intentionally designed with younger or older children in mind.
Do parents/caregivers stay with their children at open play in Discovery Woods?
Yes. Our current open play sessions in Discovery Woods require caregiver participation. Caregivers are expected to remain present, attentive and engaged throughout the session.
What does risky play mean?
Risky play includes activities such as climbing, balancing, swinging, digging and using natural materials. These experiences help children build confidence, body awareness and problem solving skills. Risk does not mean unsafe. The environment is intentionally designed and supervised to support age appropriate risk within clear safety boundaries.
Can I take photos?
Yes! We hope you take photos of your child having fun at Muddy Buddies! We love to see your photos, please tag us on Facebook or Instagram if you choose to share. However, please do not take photos of other children or post photos on social media without a family's permission.
At Muddy Buddies, we use digital and printed photographs and videos to document learning and share the importance of outdoor play with our community. Every family will be given the option to allow or decline permission to photograph or videotape their child during Muddy Buddies play sessions.
If you have any questions or concerns about photos/videos, please let us know so we can be sure that you and your child feel comfortable.
Can I bring siblings that are younger than 18 months old?
Stay & Play: Yes! Younger siblings under 18 months old are welcome for free. Please remember that our play sessions are designed for children ages 18 months-5 years old.
Discovery Woods: For the safety of all participants, children under 3 years are not allowed in Discovery Woods play sessions at this time, except for non‑mobile infants who are being carried or placed in a stroller.
What about children younger than 18 months or over 5 years old?
Our Stay & Play program is designed for children ages 18 months to 5 years old. However, we understand that children grow and develop at their own unique pace. If your child is younger than 18 months or over 5 years old and you would like to sign them up to join a Stay and Play session, please send us an email, so we can decide together if it’s a good fit.
Our Muddy Buddies Pop- Up events and Discovery Woods Open Play are also an option for families with older children.
What are loose parts?
Loose parts are materials that can be moved, carried and used in multiple ways depending on the ideas of the children. Items such as sticks, rocks, crates, wood, fabric, tubes, and blocks are all loose parts that spark imagination and creativity. Loose parts allow for endless play opportunities!
What is child-led free play and why is it so important?
Free play is unstructured, spontaneous play that gives children the freedom to follow their own natural instincts and ideas. When children are provided with a developmentally appropriate environment and given time and space to make their own choices in their play, they become more confident, independent, critical thinkers and problem solvers. Play is how children begin to understand their world and make connections. These natural play experiences are critical to stimulate brain development.
What is the adult role during free play?
During free play, adults are there to share joy in children’s discoveries, respect children’s ideas, play along when invited, encourage problem solving, acknowledge their needs and set clear, safe boundaries.
Who is responsible for my child’s safety at Muddy Buddies play sessions?
Parents and caregivers are responsible for their child(ren) at all times during play sessions and are expected to be actively observing their child(ren) at all times for safety. At Muddy Buddies we aim to provide a learning environment that is developmentally appropriate for children and also allows for healthy risk taking. We encourage children to play creatively and experiment with new ideas, however, we will redirect children if we notice their play is becoming unsafe or disrespectful to themselves, others or materials.
We will always have a first aid kit available that can be utilized by parents or caregivers if needed.
What are the benefits of playing outdoors?
The benefits of outdoor play in nature are endless! Outdoor play stimulates the senses for healthy growth in all areas of development including physical, social, emotional and cognitive. Playing outdoors in nature is more than just fresh air and fun (although these are both very important), it provides opportunities for children to improve motor skills, muscle strength, hand-eye coordination, enhance problem solving skills, gain self-awareness and executive functioning skills. Executive functioning skills include the ability for a child to focus and pay attention, remember instructions and show self-control. Children are born naturally curious and their bodies crave movement and hands-on play. We created Muddy Buddies because we know that outdoor play is essential for healthy child development. And another win- children usually sleep better after long periods of playing outdoors:)
Do you teach direct environmental education?
We are an outdoor, play-based program. Our main focus is on the power of child-led play. We build connections to nature by following the changing seasons and expanding on children’s curiosity as it arises naturally.
How we weave environmental education into our play:
Curated Play Stations: We intentionally provide informational books, posters, magnifying glasses, and plastic animals to inspire curiosity. When children discover creatures in our play area—like investigating worms and tracking insects in the spring—we use these tools to help them dive deeper into what they've found.
Nature as "Loose Parts": We integrate natural objects like pinecones, flowers, acorns, leaves, and rocks directly into our play areas to spark open-ended creativity.
Special Events & Classes: We host special classes and welcome community visitors to highlight specific topics, giving kids a closer look at local plants and animals.
Our goal is to foster a lifelong respect for the Earth. By blending hands-on exploration with thoughtful resources, we help children develop a deep connection to nature through meaningful, joyful experiences.
What are the benefits of mixed- age groups?
Mixed- age play offers many benefits to children. Mixed-age play is usually more nurturing and creative and less competitive, allowing each child to play at their own pace. Older children have opportunities to practice leadership and empathy and build confidence. Younger children learn from the older children even by listening and watching. They are exposed to more advanced language skills and complex play and benefit from the support and nurturing of the older children. There is a wide range of development for all children and a mixed age group combined with free play provides an environment that can meet the needs of each individual.
Please contact us if you have any other questions about Muddy Buddies.