Don't let hiking kids eat mushrooms on trail

Amanita bisporigera,
a poisonous mushroom.
Photo courtesy Wikipedia.

Never eat or even touch a mushroom unless you are absolutely sure that it is safe.

Children have a way of getting their fingers into their mouths, and if it is a poisonous shroom, that’s bad news.

Avoid mushrooms with white gills, a ring around the stem, and red on the cap, as they often are poisonous. 

If handling a mushroom with which you're unfamiliar, wear gloves. You don't want to make the mistake of getting the mushroom on your fingers, which then can be transferred to kids' skin, simply by holding their hand.

The symptoms and treatment are the same as for eating poisonous berries.

Read more about day hiking with children in the guidebook Hikes with Tykes.