A backyard full of colorful berries can look like nature’s candy aisle, especially to a child who spots a shiny red or purple cluster hanging at exactly eye level. That makes berry season a great time to teach children one simple rule: pretty does not mean edible, and nobody should pick a berry for a snack until an adult identifies the plant.
The tricky part comes from how convincing some poisonous plants look. A few berries resemble grapes, others look like something that belongs in a pie, and some sit on attractive ornamental shrubs that seem about as threatening as a garden hose. Health Canada warns that some plant varieties can harm children who eat them, while Poison Control recommends teaching children to ask an adult before eating wild berries.
