There's a Fungus Among Us: Preschool Mushroom Lesson • Mamaguru

Here is a wonderful preschool mushroom lesson that explores the world of fungus. These activities teach children about the parts of a fungus and the many different kinds of mushrooms. There are several art projects based on mushrooms, a Montessori-inspired mushroom felt puzzle you can make and even a play dough activity. Who knew mushrooms could be so much fun!

I am in love with our monthly Nature Tots Class. The teacher is so lovely and it’s location, the Secret Woods Nature Center, is downright enchanting. Once a month, we are lead through the nature preserve to a clearing set up for a lesson.

Last class, we learned all about mushrooms. It couldn’t have been a more apt subject because we are growing our own at home and eat them several times a week. One of Max’s regular jobs is gently brushing the dirt off mushrooms before I cook them. We couldn’t wait to learn more. The following day I scrambled to create some extension activities, and you tell me if you can find a preschooler who know more about fungus.

The mood was set. See the shitake mushrooms growing out of the log!

Here we are surrounded by mangroves.

Ms. Molly began by reading a book about mushrooms.

Jack is rapt.

The kids were given different kinds of mushrooms to examine and dissect. It’s important for children to use touch to learn. We learned what each part is called.

We dragged a piece of thread through paint to mimic the way threads connect fungus underground.

Many varieties of mushrooms were passed around. This cool one is used for tea.

Dad used threads to cultivate our own mushrooms at home.

Mushroom Craft with Recyclables and Paint

More paint! We used a piece of cardboard dipped in paint to make gills.

The used toilet paper rolls for the stalk on this mushroom craft.

See those gills we made earlier! We cut the circle and glued it into a dome shape for the mushroom cap. Then we glued it to the decorated toilet paper roll.

Play Dough Mushroom Lesson

The next day we made play dough mushrooms at home. Max is making gills in this picture.

We put the cap on the stalk. Each step reinforces the new vocabulary.

We made a lot of different sizes.

Then we connected them with threads.

Montessori Felt Puzzle

I drew this mushroom diagram based on one I saw online. It became the template for a Montessori-inspired felt puzzle.

Here is the Mushroom Felt Puzzle. Children put all the mushroom parts where they belong and then label the parts. They have done it many times.

Our last project was mushroom stamping. I just cut different mushrooms in half and let them dip the mushroom in paint and stamp. it was hard to sacrifice food for art, but it was for a good cause.