Fungi Foraging With Children

Autumn Foraging Adventures in the Peak District

When autumn arrives in the Peak District, it brings a unique kind of magic—mushroom foraging adventures with Frida. 🍂🍄

There’s something truly special about walking through the crisp, golden woods together, the ground covered in leaves as we search for hidden treasures sprouting from the forest floor. Watching Frida’s eyes light up with each discovery is one of the purest joys of these outings.

Foraging with her is so much more than just finding mushrooms. It’s a chance to slow down and truly observe the beauty around us, to connect with the land, and to discover all the subtle details the season has to offer. We’re learning to identify different fungi together, noticing their unique shapes, colors, and textures. Each new mushroom is a tiny wonder, teaching her to appreciate the diversity and beauty of nature in ways that no book or screen could match.

This simple ritual of exploring together is also a wonderful way to teach Frida respect for the natural world. Through these adventures, she’s learning to walk gently, to be curious yet cautious, and to recognise that nature’s abundance comes with responsibilities. She’s understanding that these forests, with their seasonal changes, have stories and cycles that we’re a small part of.

Mushroom foraging is a reminder of the magic of autumn, the richness and beauty that this season brings. It’s about the thrill of discovery and the joy of being present in the wild together. Whether or not we come home with a basket full of mushrooms, we return with something even more valuable—a deepened connection with nature and each other. 🍁🌲

I look forward to these autumn walks every year, knowing they’re a special chapter in our story. The forest, with its quiet abundance, is teaching both of us to slow down, savor the present, and treasure the beauty in life’s small wonders.