As the sun peeked through the curtains on Sunday morning, my toddler’s excitement was contagious. The promise of a day spent outdoors is always a winning combination for a child, so many possibilities of adventure especially when apples and berries are included. Usually our gear consists of a bucket or container of some sort, plus a rake to get those hard to reach red and green beauties. With tiny yellow boots on and a big smile, we headed out into the backyard.
Our backyard is one of magic, I call it my secret garden. As you walk down the steep steps, suddenly you are transported into a large green area, surrounded by tall trees and shrubs, numerous apple trees laden with fruit and brambles here and there. Our first stop was the apple trees. My toddler’s eyes widened as he gazed up at the bright fruit hanging just within reach. Together, we picked the first apple. There’s a pure kind of joy that comes from seeing your child marvel at something as simple as an apple—how it’s grown, how it smells, and how it fits perfectly in their little hands, and of course they try to take a bite out of each one. Luckily I saved a few!
After filling our tubs with apples, we made our way to the berry bushes which I think we may have overlooked before as they were hanging heavily with the little purple jewels. It’s somewhat of a novelty to be able to eat something straight off a bush. One of the many joys of living in Scotland is the continuous foraging opportunities, in Australia most things that look edible are poisonous. My little one loves berries, he’ll point at them from a moving car, run across a field just for the chance to pick a handful and shove them in his mouth.
Picking berries requires a bit more patience and gentleness to avoid being pricked, two things that don’t always come naturally to a toddler. He loves the idea that he could taste the fruits right away, and I couldn’t resist letting him try a few freshly picked berries.
Our Sunday outing wasn’t just about harvesting fruit; it was also an opportunity to teach my toddler about nature. We talked about how apples and berries grow, the importance of bees, and why we have to be gentle with the plants. Watching him listen, absorb, and ask questions was one of the most rewarding parts of the day. It’s in these small moments that I see his curiosity and love for the natural world taking root.
After our buckets were filled, we sat down together in the kitchen to enjoy the fruits of our labor—literally. We shared a few apples and berries, savoring the flavors and the moment while preparing them for a few crumbles and muffins.
The rest of the afternoon was spent getting messy with flour and baking ingredients everywhere, luckily we have a few friends that like receiving baked goods.
