The Muddy Puddles Project is a celebration of children and childhood. It was inspired by Ty Campbell, a little boy who absolutely LOVED Peppa Pig and dreamed of jumping in muddy puddles just like her when his cancer was cured.  The project embodies the act of kids being kids in honor of those who can’t.

At its core, The Muddy Puddles Project is a vehicle to remind parents to stop sweating the small stuff; but it is also a fundraising platform for the Ty Louis Campbell (TLC) Foundation in support of childhood cancer research.  In 2017, The Muddy Puddles Project became the official charity partner of Peppa Pig, enabling the nonprofit to meet more families, far and wide, and raise awareness for childhood cancer.

Peppa Pig and Entertainment One are eager to help spread the word about the Muddy Puddles Project and its mission to help children with cancer

Register to host a “Welly Walk” Fundraiser for a chance to win a meet-and-greet with Peppa Pig! Welly walks are a fun and exciting way to explore the outdoors while wearing wellies and rain slickers – rain or shine – at a safe distance outside!  We are looking for participants to join Peppa Pig and support the Muddy Puddles Project by hosting a Welly Walk fundraiser at their school or club.  You can map your nature walk in creative ways depending on your space (urban/suburban/rural). Participants can walk around the school yard, observe nature at the playground, hike across the school field, explore the nearby woods, or meet up at a park!  It’s entirely up to you.  Be sure to use the Welly Walk as an opportunity to explore nature with younger participants and incorporate learning opportunities along the way! 

The Muddy Puddles “Mess Fests” are a series of large-scale events hosted by the Ty Louis Campbell Foundation.  The largest of which takes place annually at Kiwi Country Day Camp (Mahopac, NY), with the exception of 2020.  The format for a Mess Fest is similar to a carnival with a wide range of tented areas and a wide range of family-friendly activities – from splatter paint to pie tosses (and of course, muddy puddles). Mess Fests, however, can be replicated across the country on a smaller scale.  A do-it-yourself Mess Fest can be as simple as a backyard birthday party that includes puddles, finger paints, tie-dye t-shirts, and an egg-and-spoon race.

Our annual Mess Fest is going virtual in 2020, thanks to our friends at eOne (Peppa Pig) and The Little Gym.  Hundreds of families can join us in a celebration of childhood while helping us fund childhood cancer research.  Learn more and register here!

April 1st has been officially proclaimed “National Jump in Muddy Puddles Day” by the Muddy Puddles Project, and it always kicks off a season of special events benefitting childhood cancer research, including Peppa-inspired Welly Walks, an organized stroll outside in your favorite pair of wellies (rain boots).  Although 2020 brought many challenges, we had incredible supporters who got creative with ways to celebrate across the nation.  Learn more here.

In addition, the Muddy Puddles Project hosts an annual “Party with Peppa” to celebrate National Jump in Muddy Puddles Day. The sold-out event is always a huge success, and we hope to resume this event in 2021.

Be inspired!  We love to feature some of our favorite photos that were posted to the Muddy Puddles Facebook Page and Instagram.  Follow us on social media!

Chris & His Momma

Who says muddy puddles are just for kids? Christopher and his mom proved them wrong by taking the plunge and participating in the DIRTY DUNK at Mess Fest. Although we can’t take the plunge together this year, you can sign up to do a virtual dirty dunk here!

Dylan Dryer, Today Show (NBC)

Dylan Dryer visited the Mess Fest while producing a “Hope to It” segment on the Muddy Puddles Project.  She didn’t hestitate about getting dirty and jumping in the mud, not even for a second. She even let her creativity soar by making muddy handprints and messy art!

Foam Party Fun

The Muddy Puddles Project isn’t just about mud!  We celebrate all things messy.  That’s what childhood is all about!  Our friend in this photo was enjoying the foam party at the end of our annual “SLOPSTACLE” course and her smile was contagious.  She didn’t mind a messy face for one second.

Gretchen & Addie

These girls didn’t hesitate when they saw the Mud Kitchen!  It was all about making mud pies and getting dirty.  Friendships are formed at the Muddy Puddles Mess Fest and Gretchen and Addie continue to meet up at our annual event for a day of messy fun to celebrate of kids being kids in honor of those who can’t.