What could be better than messing around in mud - or beans, ice cream and jelly.
That’s what these children did in fantastic style in 9 retro Echo photos we hope that you will love.
1. Glorious gunge in 9 retro photos
What could be better than getting messy at play time. These Sunderland youngsters did just that.
2. A proper playtime
Now that's messy. These Sunderland youngsters were having fun in the mud in 1975.
3. Beans bonanza at Castle View
These Castle View School pupils took a bath in beans to raise money for the Rainbow Trust in 2003.
4. Muddy memories
Mud glorious mud in this Sunderland Echo archive photo from 2005.