[Sunnycat]

My DS is currently sitting in our tiny backyard in the dead garden bed, happily playing in the "soil" (I don't think it constitutes as soil though) his legs and nappy and arms are all black from the dirt. We regularly go down to the local park and he plays in the sand pit as well.

As kids my mother never let us play in the sand or dirt or do anything that involved any dirt. Everytime we go to the playground she is horrified when DS goes in the sand pit.

So was wondering if other people let their children play in dirt and sand?

[Kitty Fantastico]

Absolutely. I don't think I could stop him if I tried.

DS loves scratching the dirt with a stick, or poking around for rocks. Hours of fun without spending a dollar.

[bikingbubs]

yup. endless entertainment (especially sand for my DS). mess washes off

[strawberry blond...]

If we home all day they can do as they wish but if I know we are going somewhere I insist they stay clean . Making mud pies is fun!

[Angelina Balleri...]

DD loves the dirt.
I try to encourage her into the sandpit instead but it's a losing battle.

[Leggy]

Good grief, yes. Isn't it supposed to be good for the immune system? Anyway, I think a kid coming in grubby is a sign they've been having a non-screen-related good time.

[adl]

Of course.... best thing....have a friend whose Uncle is in immunology...he advocates loads of dirt and mud pies etc..and kids and muddy dogs bathing together etc to actually get a healthy immune system.

As kids growing up in the country.. we played in sheep and cattle yards, the killing pens and all sorts of muck, never had any issues...

and besides its FUN!!!!

[~maryanne~]

Yes, then I take them unwashed and shoeless to the food court where I feed them hot chips.

Nah, really - I let them play in dirt as soon as they can crawl :-)

This post has been edited by ~maryanne~: 05/12/2012, 06:25 PM

[CallMeProtart]

Yes. I'm backing the 'hygiene hypothesis'.
I also let my kids pick stuff up that they've dropped on the ground and eat it (if it's something dry, not so much say a lolly that would be dirt encrusted from a drop).
Which is interesting when we're in a group where the other kids are being told not to eat from the floor. Makes me feel like a bit of a grot. But it's a conscious decision based on things I've read, so I guess if I feel like a grot backing my decision, I have to wear that.

[rogue-shadow]

of course unless we're going out and about. I grew up going out into the forest for rallies every few weekends and being covered in dirt and dust by the end of the weekend.

Playing in the dirt is great fun.

ETA: I agree with Ali, there are times I'll dust off the biscuit or some such thing ready to go again. Depends on what it is though.

This post has been edited by rogue-shadow: 05/12/2012, 06:26 PM