Nutrition

Mushrooms are a fantastic way to load up on your B vitamins which are great for energy support. When mushrooms are grown in adequate sunlight they can be an extra source for your daily vitamin D dosage.

Shopping Guide

Look out for mushrooms that are firm with a smooth surface and appear to be dry without looking dried out. If you like a richer flavour to your mushroom then try to purchase those that are open underneath with exposed gills so you can see the inside. Mushrooms with a closed veil typically have a more delicate flavour.

Storage

To store mushrooms, keep in the original packaging or a paper bag in the fridge for up to a week.

Preparation

When ready to use them, prep mushrooms by wiping clean with a damp paper towel. The mushrooms we typically pick up at the supermarket are button mushrooms. Just pan-fry in butter and garlic until soft.

Kids in the Kitchen

For a younger child, mushrooms are perfect for practicing early knife skills with a kid-safe knife since they’re soft and easy to chop. Cleaning them can be fun too—use slightly damp paper towels to wipe off the dirt.

For an older child, it’s a great chance to learn simple knife and stove skills. Teach them to safely slice mushrooms using the bridge or claw grip, then let them melt butter or heat oil in a pan. Show them how to stir the mushrooms and garlic until cooked while guiding them on stove safety.

Find more ideas for involving kids in the kitchen here.

Sensory

Mushrooms are perfect for sensory exploration because they’re so unique! A pack of “wild” or “mixed” mushrooms lets you explore the differences in taste and appearance. Look at whole, sliced, and separated mushrooms, and describe what you see—patterns, lines, colors, or shapes. Then, explore their texture—do large flat mushrooms feel the same as small oyster or button mushrooms? Do they smell different? How do raw mushrooms compare to cooked ones in smell, taste, and texture? Are they smooth, hard, crunchy, or soft?

Find more sensory ideas, tips and videos here. If you get stuck and need a little help with describing words, we have a selection for you here, too!

Serving

Try making one of our simple mushroom recipes (see some of our favourites below) and ask your child to help with one small part of the recipe (like cleaning or slicing the mushrooms).

While the dinner you are serving it with is cooking, ask your child to design a beautiful menu for the table, with special emphasis on “their” mushroom side they helped you make!

Find the best ways of involving your own child and their skills and interests on our Roles for Kids page.

Activities