A forager in the making?

So, yesterday we were supposed to be shopping for clothes for our hols, but I couldn't resist popping into the bookshop.  I came out with an armful of shiny new books including a host of new foraging books which I'm devouring.

I also picked up this little book for Ruby.  I thought it would be fun to take on our walks.  There's a point scoring system depending on the rarity of the flowers you spot.

As soon as we got home, we dumped off our bags, pulled on our wellies and hit the woods.  The book is simple for even young children to use - the pages are divided by the colours of the flowers and colour coded at the top of each page.  She wasted no time.

Hmmm what's this I spy?

Let me just refer to my little book...

Is it? Could it be?

We had a great time.  Ruby spotting the flowers, then she'd flick through the book and try to match it to a picture.  I'd then read out the description, characteristics and habitat and together we'd decide if this was the right identification.

Amongst others, we found and identified poppies; cow parsley; herb robert; dog rose; daisies and wild garlic.

She did get a little frustrated when flowers she found weren't in the book - maybe we need a more comprehensive one already!  Instead we took photos and agreed to look them up at home.

This one was on the edge of the woodland. Very beautiful - any ideas?

Or this? Looks like broom but on a very short plant

Of course, there was time for some obligatory wood balancing...

Then onto the serious business of collecting elderflowers for our cordial.

This was a great trip out.  Not only did we come home with a basket laden with edible goodies, but I feel Ruby was much more in tune with her surroundings and having the book helped to open her eyes to beauty she would otherwise have missed.

She loves to come foraging, so hopefully teaching her how to identify some wild flowers will be a good step to her learning the ropes!

Linking up with Country Kids over at Coombe Mill.