Catkin & co.

‘This is mad’
Ida’s reaction to her GCSE results.
Assumed she’d got the wrong slip of paper.
Better than she expected.
My eyes went straight to history as an ex history teacher - proud mum spied the 9.

Well done to all kids for getting through school. You are amazing.

Lavender & Blueberry

A nice afternoon with Ted as we experimented making jams and syrups. We even made a lavender & blueberry crumple bake. Just the right hing of floral and not ‘too soapy’.

When I was his age I associated lavender with old people, bags in drawers and guide sales (selling fragrant bags for drawers). But I love the fact lavender is Ted’s favourite smell and years of dragging the kids to France and seeing lavender fields has paid off - lavender is reclaimed as ‘hip’ to teen!

My edible flower foraging card ID pack is great for those interested in floral flavours. See the online store.

know it's only a leaf... until suddenly you know it's an oak. Or a silver birch. Or a horse chestnut. Then you can't stop looking up.

These Tree Leaf ID Cards are one of my favourite ways to help children notice the trees around them. Pop them in the cotton bag, head out for a wander, and see how many leaves you can match.

Fair warning: once you start identifying trees, every walk becomes a game of, "Ooh... what's that one?"

The set includes 22 common British trees and is available in the Catkin & Co online shop. (And if your family loves a game of Snap or Memory, there's a double pack available too!)

Let's talk poo...

Because if you're out exploring the woods, chances are you'll spot animal poo long before you spot the animal!

My Woodland Animal Poo Kit helps little explorers become nature detectives, matching poo to the creatures that left it behind. Strange? Maybe. Brilliant fun? Absolutely. You can even recreate your own versions of various animal poo - and who wouldn't want that?

It's one of those activities that has children scanning the woodland floor with far more enthusiasm than you'd ever expect.

If your family enjoys a bit of wonderfully wild (and slightly disgusting) nature spotting, you'll find the kit in the Catkin & Co online shop. Happy poo hunting!

How many signs of summer can you spot?

Check out the FREE Signs of Summer Spotter Sheet to make your next walk a little more adventurous. Download it, print it out, or save it to your phone and see how many you can tick off as you wander.

It's amazing how much more you notice when you're actually looking... and yes, it may become a little competitive.

Head to the link in my bio to grab your free download, and if you use it, I'd love to see your finds- tag !

Little Foragers Flashcards
Tiny hands, big adventures!

These colourful Foraging Flashcards are made especially for little explorers aged 2-8 years. With 17 sturdy cards on a handy keyring, children can flip through as they search for berries, fruits and nuts on family walks.

The ring keeps all the cards together (so hopefully none disappear into the undergrowth!), making them easy to carry in a pocket or backpack.

Perfect for turning an ordinary walk into a nature treasure hunt, encouraging children to slow down, look closely and discover the amazing things growing around them.

Looking for something with more detail? I also have a range of Foraging ID Cards for older children and adults, covering Fruits, Edible Flowers, and Wild Herbs & Weeds, with identification tips and extra information on the reverse.

Lavender & Lemon Biscuits

These might just be my favourite summer biscuits. The lavender gives them a wonderfully delicate floral flavour, while the lemon adds just the right amount of zing.

I used dried English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), which is perfect for baking. Just remember... leave plenty of flowers for the bees before you start filling your biscuit tin!

Now the only question is... how many make it to the biscuit tin before they're "quality tested"?

Lots of foraging cards in the online store - including edible flowers (my fave!)

Confession time... I'm absolutely rubbish at remembering I actually have an online shop. I get so excited about sharing nature finds and foraged bakes that I completely forget to tell you about the things I sell.

So here's one that deserves a little love... my Minibeast Hunt Kit. 🐞🐛🪲

It's been around for years and is still one of my favourite kits for curious little explorers. Inside you'll find 14 minibeast ID cards packed with fun facts, a wooden magnifying glass, and a handy cotton bag to take on adventures.

Perfect for bug hunts, woodland walks, or convincing children that a beetle is far more exciting than a screen. Which it is...

You'll find it (along with lots of other nature goodies I keep forgetting to mention!) in the Catkin & Co online shop.

ree Meadow Grass ID Sheet
I might have a slight obsession with dried meadow grasses... there are bunches of them in vases all over my house!
If you've ever wandered past a meadow thinking about the grass this free download is for you. Pop it on your phone (or print it out) and see how many you can spot on your next walk.
My favourite? Timothy... purely because it's called Timothy. Yorkshire Fog is a close second because it's just so wonderfully fluffy with a purple tint.
If you find one that's not on the sheet, even better! I'd love to hear what you discover.
Grab your free Meadow Grass ID Sheet via the link in my bio, and don't forget to tag if you use it-I absolutely love seeing your wild finds!

Lavender season is here... which means it’s the perfect excuse to bake a Lavender & Blueberry Cake.

We served ours with lavender-infused mascarpone, naturally tinted with blueberry juice, and it disappeared rather quickly!

The Catkin Kids have one important tip: go easy on the lavender. A little adds a beautiful, delicate flavour. Too much and you’ll feel like you’re eating a scented candle.

Fresh or dried culinary lavender both work well. English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is the best choice for cooking. We simply sprinkled the flowers into the cake, but you can also make a lavender syrup if you prefer a more subtle flavour.

If you’re keen to explore more edible plants, our Foraging ID Cards for Edible Flowers, Fruits, and Wild Herbs & Weeds are available in the Catkin & Co online shop.