Outdoor Family Fun – Herb Walk!

My kids and I are always on the go, searching for fun! Lately we have been enjoying scoping out the local plant life. Kids are naturally curious… about EVERYTHING! Learning to identify plants and their uses is a valuable skill, and makes a walk around the neighborhood or the local nature trails a little more interesting! It’s also a free activity that doesn’t require any prep or planning.

You can take it even further and use the opportunity to learn and teach the parts of the plants and flowers and even press samples of the plants to make a book. It’s also a good idea to teach kids to identify and avoid plants like poison ivy, and to never eat wild berries or other fruits from plants that you haven’t grown in your garden.

Please do not eat anything that you can’t identify with 100% surety, and never plants growing near roadsides or in areas that have been sprayed with pesticides. The Peterson series of field guides are excellent resources to have on hand! There are also amazing plant identification groups on Facebook, where you can post photos of the plant in question and folks will help identify for you.

Here are a few cool “weeds” that you’re likely to find growing

in and around your yard in the metro Detroit area!

Dandelion – They are bright, pretty, and surprisingly useful! The plants are edible, and the flower heads are a natural source of vitamin D and carotenoids (which the body uses to make vitamin A). The roots and leaves are rich in potassium, and a few leaves in a green smoothie or mixed in with salad greens give you a little extra nutrition oomph.  And every kid loves to rub the sunny blossoms under their chin, on their nose (or yours!), or back of the hand and add a little color!

Red Clover – These pretty purple-ish flowers are edible as are their leaves. Historically, red clover leaves were used to help support the circulatory system.

Plantain – This low key little weed is a good friend to know. A chewed up plantain leaf, applied as a poultice to a mosquito bite or other bug bite or sting can help soothe and relieve itching and pain.  

Daisy Fleabane – This cute little flowering plant is thought to help keep fleas at bay.

Yarrow – The feathery leaves of the yarrow plant have a styptic effect, helping to stop bleeding.

St. John’s Wort – This pretty yellow flower is well known for helping to support mental health, and may be helpful for mild cases of the blues.

Ox-Eye Daisy – Everyone loves these pretty, classic blooms – tuck one behind your ear!

Chicory – A delicate blue flower is the signature of this roadside staple, the roots can be roasted and then tea brewed as a coffee substitute for those trying to kick the caffeine!

Mullein – Tall and graceful with beautiful yellow blooms, mullein has been used to help coughs and lung problems, as well as ear aches.

Bull Thistle – Those darn prickly weeds get really, really, big. They may be thorny, but her blooms are quite striking!