In this Foraging with kids post, I’ll share how I make nature learning fun for kids.
Not by dumping everything I know on them, but by sparking wonder and following their lead.
Whether you’re teaching kids to forage or just getting your family outdoors, I hope to leave you feeling inspired😊
And always remember the no. 1 safety rule: we don’t eat something if we’re not 100% sure what it is!
Use 3 reliable sources to cross-reference when learning to ID a new species.
Let me know in the comments if you have any questions!
🌼 1. Ask more than you tell
Curiosity grows best when we don’t give all the answers. Instead of saying “That’s a nettle,” try:
“This plant’s got tiny stingers — but do you think it’s protecting something?”
Or when you find a dandelion:
“Why do you think this flower turned into fluff? What would happen if the wind blew on it?”
These open-ended questions get kids thinking — and that’s what turns a plant into a story, not just a label.
🍃 2. Tell stories, not just facts
Facts are great — but stories stick. Don’t just say, “That’s plantain, and it’s good for stings.” Say:
“This one’s known as ‘green bandage.’ It grows quietly near footpaths, like it’s waiting to help.”
Every wild herb has a tale. Nettle is a fierce protector.
Yarrow is the brave warrior’s plant.
Dandelion? The sun’s cousin, turning to a seed moon when it’s tired.
Children remember stories — and stories make wild food for kids even more exciting to learn about.
🌱 3. Let curiosity lead
Do you have a strict foraging itinerary for your children’s walk? Good luck!
But if they suddenly notice a mushroom, let that be the lesson.
If they ask about a sticky burdock ball stuck to their jumper, explore why it clings.
These moments are gold for outdoor learning activities — even if they’re not what you planned.
👃 4. Use all your senses
Touch fuzzy mullein leaves.
Rub pine needles to smell the resin.
Listen to the wind in the trees.
Break open a wild mint leaf and breathe it in.
Foraging isn’t just about naming plants — it’s about building a relationship with them.
Kids learn through their bodies. Encourage them to use all their senses, and nature will teach them far more than we ever could.
🌿 5. Model wonder
You don’t need to know every plant. In fact, it’s better if you don’t. When you find something unfamiliar, say:
“oooooh… I don’t know. Let’s look it up when we get home!”
Or:
“What do you think it might be?”
Your wonder gives them permission to wonder too.
🧺 6. Make foraging playful
You can turn any walk into a nature treasure hunt:
“Can you find 3 different leaf shapes?”
“Can you spot a plant that’s hairy?”
“Let’s collect 5 edible plants to make a potion (aka, tea)!”
Call it a potion, a forest feast, a woodland picnic.
The language you use shapes how children experience the wild.
Playful words = playful learning.
🐞 7. Invite them to teach
After a foraging walk, ask:
“What was your favourite thing you found?” and follow up with “Do you remember what we found out about it?”
“Want to show Dad the plant you learned about? I bet he’d be excited to learn what we learned today”
“Look at all this nettle we foraged! Let’s make a pretty lable for the jar, we could give some to our neighbour who loves herbal tea and tell her all about it”
If your child has younger siblings or friends who are interested in foraging, this step may come naturally, but keep an eye out for situations where you can encourage it.
Teaching locks in learning — and boosts confidence. Bonus: they will feel like a real forager!
🔍 8. Keep a nature journal together
Draw the leaves you saw.
Tape in a pressed flower.
Write what the tea tasted like.
Add a story about the fairy who guards the hawthorn tree.
This isn’t just art — it’s science, storytelling, and soulwork all in one. And it makes learning last.
🧒 Why this matters
In a world full of screens, giving kids the tools to connect with the land — to make their own medicines, pick their own teas, notice the small green things — is powerful.
You’re not just teaching them plant names. You’re showing them they belong in nature. That they are part of this living web. That they can care for it, and be cared for in return.
And that begins not with facts, but with wonder.
🌻 Want to get started?
Here’s a simple foraging activity for families:
- Go for a walk in a wild space or a park.
- Bring a basket and a field guide.
- Look for 3 edible or useful plants you both recognise.
- Collect only what you need — talk about respect for the plants.
- Make something at home: a tea, a simple meal, or even just a drawing.
No pressure. No tests. Just presence, play, and a little bit of wild magic.
Foraging with kids: Read another post
Foraging with kids: Recommended resources
Here are some websites and books I use:
Foraging with kids: Final thoughts
Making nature activities for families meaningful isn’t about having the perfect lesson plan.
It’s about showing up with curiosity, slowing down, and learning with your children — not just teaching them facts.
So next time you head out, crouch down beside them. Ask a question. Smell a leaf. Wonder out loud.
Nature’s already doing the teaching. You just need to make space for it 😉
