Mushrooms pop up in the strangest places: on rotting logs, at the base of trees, in lawns after a rain, and even on other mushrooms. This activity sends you on a search for as many different kinds as you can find. You won’t pick any (some are poisonous), but you’ll be amazed at the variety hiding right in your neighborhood.
Time: 30-60 minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy
Materials
- Magnifying glass
- Notebook and pencil for sketches
- Camera or phone (for photos)
- Clothes you don’t mind getting dirty
Mushrooms Activity Resource
What to Do
- Time it right. Go mushroom hunting a few days after a good rain. Moisture triggers mushroom growth.
- Search everywhere. Check around tree trunks, on fallen logs, under leaf litter, beneath shrubs, in lawns, on mulch, and along paths. Mushrooms can be tiny, so look closely.
- Observe without touching. Don’t pick or touch any mushrooms you find. Some species are poisonous, and it’s not always obvious which ones. Observe, photograph, and sketch instead.
- Get low. Crouch or lie down to photograph mushrooms at their level. This shows the cap, gills, and stem much better than shooting from above.
- Use your magnifying glass. Look at the underside of caps (from a distance) to see if they have gills, pores, or teeth. These details help with identification.
- Record your finds. Sketch or photograph each mushroom you find. Note the color, size, shape, where it was growing, and what it was growing on.
