roonee Both of my children are very food-motivated, but my daughter in particular finds pure joy in berry foraging. For her, picking berries isn’t just about eating—it’s a sensory adventure, a way to connect with nature, and a special bonding time for us.
It all began a few years ago when my husband and I took the twins to a strawberry-picking farm over in the North East. Both children loved it, but for my daughter, something clicked. That day planted the seed for what has now become one of our favourite activities: berry foraging!
The joy of berry foraging
There’s something really magical about finding food growing wild, and being able to enjoy it right there in the moment! Over the years, we’ve made a tradition of brambling (that’s blackberry picking for you southerners) every autumn. My daughter absolutely loves blackberries, and she gets such a thrill from spotting a ripe berry and being able to eat it straight off the bush—worms and all!
Now, at just five years old, she can identify a blackberry bush from a surprising distance, whether it’s fruiting or not. I may be biased, but I think that’s pretty impressive. She’ll happily guide me towards bushes she’s spotted so we can investigate together. Every single time we visit a garden centre, she will find the fruit trees and insist that we take a good look at them to check if any of them are fruiting.
2025: A bumper year for foraging
This year has been particularly exciting for us, with plenty of opportunities to visit Pick Your Own farms. We’ve gathered strawberries, raspberries, and even tayberries. But the real highlight for me has been introducing her to wild strawberries.
There’s a spot not too far from where we live, where wild strawberries absolutely thrive in June. They’re tiny—so small that most people walk straight past without noticing—but once you know what to look for, they’re like tiny little rubies hiding in the grass.
Watching my daughter’s delight as she learned to recognise the leaves and flowers, and then led me from plant to plant, was wonderful. Sharing the joy of something so small and often overlooked reminded me of the beauty of slowing down and seeing the world through her eyes. We spent hours and hours this year hunting through the grass for strawbs!
Why foraging works for us
Foraging has become more than just a hobby—it’s an activity that really suits my daughter’s needs and personality. Here’s why:
- Sensory experience – the textures, colours, and smells of the plants and berries are all engaging.
- Food motivation – she loves eating berries, so there’s a built-in reward.
- Connection with nature – spotting plants and exploring the outdoors brings a sense of calm and focus.
- Bonding time – it’s something that she and I do just the two of us, creating special memories.
It’s also a reminder that joy doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated—sometimes it’s literally right at the side of a footpath.
Final thoughts
Berry foraging has turned into a year-round sensory adventure for us. From summer strawberries to autumn blackberries, each season brings something new to discover, and we are very lucky to live in an area where it’s all on our doorstep. It’s taught my daughter patience, observation, and an appreciation for the natural world—and for me, it’s brought unexpected joy and calm in the middle of our manic and dysfunctional family life.
If you’ve never tried foraging with your children, I highly recommend it. You don’t need to go far, and you don’t need special equipment—just a keen eye, a little patience, and maybe a container (though in our case, most of the berries get eaten straight away!).
