Families in Washington, Tyne and Wear can get outdoors for a week of messy play as Mudfest returns to the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) Washington Wetland Centre. The event is set to run from 21 February to 1 March 2026 to coincide with the February half-term.
The nine-day festival features several outdoor activities, including a muddy obstacle course, welly wanging, a bird- and mud-themed bean bag toss, sensory mud play tables, and pond dipping. Children can use the sensory mud play tables while learning how mud helps local birds and insects find food and build their homes.
Centre Manager Gill Pipes and the local team have designed the event to help children connect with nature through physical play. The 100-acre site includes ponds and wetlands that were created by the trust’s founder, Sir Peter Scott.
The festival takes place during the half-term dates recommended by Sunderland City Council (Monday 23 February – Friday 27 February 2026). Most activities on the events lawn are included with a standard entry ticket (or WWT membership), though some specialist guided sessions may require separate pre-booking.
Organisers say Mudfest has in past years drawn high visitor numbers during the school holidays; it is expected to increase traffic and make parking busier than usual on Pattinson Road throughout the week, so local residents should plan accordingly.
