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Mushrooms are an incredibly nutritious food that can be great for your kids’ health. But did you know you don’t need to rely on store-bought containers for your family’s fungi fix? You can cultivate mushrooms at home, and the process can be a fun, educational activity for your kids. If you want to get your children involved in growing their own food and learning about science in the process, read on to discover how to start growing mushrooms with your kids.
Choose a Grow Kit Together
The first step in starting your mushroom-growing journey is to choose a grow kit together. Many types of kits are available online and in local stores, and some are more kid-friendly than others. However, with your guidance, whatever kit you choose will likely be a success. The most important consideration is what types of mushrooms you want to grow! Common species that grow kits cater to are oyster, shiitake, portobello, and lion’s mane. However, understanding what species you can grow is just part of what you should know about mushroom cultivation. You should also consider your home’s growing conditions, how much space you have available, and how much time you and your kids can dedicate to the project.
Start Your Mushrooms Growing
Once you’ve chosen a kit, you’re ready to begin creating a conducive environment for your mushrooms to thrive. Start by carefully reading the instructions your grow kit provides and involve your children in the process. Follow the guidelines for inoculation, which usually involves mixing spores or mycelium with a substrate and then placing the mixture in a suitable container. Maintain the ideal temperature, humidity, and light conditions to ensure optimal growth.
Have Your Kids Journal About the Mushrooms’ Growth
Encourage your kids to create a journal to document the mushroom growth process. They can note observations, draw pictures, and write about the various stages of the mushrooms’ development. By doing so, your kids get even more involved and interested in the growing fungi, spurring their enjoyment of the process and desire to try the final product!
Enjoy Fresh, Home-Grown Fungi!
When it’s time to harvest your delicious mushrooms, teach your kids how to do so safely. Once you’ve harvested your fungi safely as a team, clean and store them. Now, you have fresh, home-grown mushrooms at your fingertips to prepare delicious, nutritious meals with! Even kids who didn’t like mushrooms at the start of the project will probably want to try the recipes, making at-home cultivation one of the best tips for getting your kids to eat mushrooms.
Growing mushrooms with your kids offers a unique opportunity to spend quality time together while learning about the wonders of nature. By using our tips on how to start, you will create lasting memories and help cultivate curiosity in your children.
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