Nature Play WA and the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale’s annual Muddy Buddy event attracts hundreds of families

It was gumboots galore at Jarrahdale Oval on Saturday as hundreds of kids climbed up the muddy mountain and jumped in muddy puddles as part of the annual Muddy Buddies event.

Families queued at the gate well ahead of opening time to ensure they made the most of every sludgy second.

In its fourth year, the event hosted by Nature Play WA and the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale was extended to a two-day affair after more than 3500 tickets sold out in less than 48 hours.

Some kids were seasoned mud veterans, while others savoured every messy moment because they usually “aren’t allowed to get dirty”.

Sarah Bridle and her three kids have been attending the Muddy Buddies event for years now, telling The Sunday Times it was a great excuse for her kids to get dirty with no consequences.

“It’s an excuse for them to get muddy and us as parents are not gonna growl at them,” she said as her almost two-year-old stomped in the mud pit.

“Normally at home, you’re like, don’t get too dirty, but here it’s just an excuse for them to have a great time.”

This was the case for a lot of families who travelled hours to be in Jarrahdale and get involved in the muddy madness, but for others — who lived on properties nearby — playing in puddles of mud was just another day.

Gemma Watts described her five-year-old son Dimitri as a “bit of a nutter” because he is always playing in mud.

“I do everything in the mud, I love being in the mud and being dirty, it’s my favourite place,” Dimitri said.

Similarly, four-year-old James Graham was a pro in the mud pit. His grandma, Cheryl, said he’s happiest when he’s playing in mud.

“I see real contentment when he is playing in the mud, and just joy,” the 69-year-old said.

“He plays in the mud every day when we empty the horse troughs . . . he doesn’t realise how lucky he is that other kids don’t have the opportunity that he has.”

Nature Play WA executive officer Kelsie Prabawa-Sear said having fun is not the only side effect of playing in mud.

“I think we parents need reminding that a bit of dirt is very good for kids and it’s an important part of a healthy, happy childhood,” Dr Prabawa-Sear said.

“Not letting kids get dirty deprives them of important sensory experiences and exposure to good bacteria.”

Shire president Rob Coales said he hopes the “flagship event” will continue to grow and be enjoyed by the community.

“We want a community where everyone feels at home and feels special,” Mr Coales said.

“I think in these days of technology, young people spend too much time indoors on devices, so this is an example where local government can put an event on . . . and do something that the young children come out and enjoy.

“I would love to see the event grow, whether we can do it twice a year, whether there’s an appetite for that.”