Imagine walking in the woods and spotting a whimsical mushroom hidden under the trees.

This craft captures that magic. With a bit of playdough and some beans, you can create your own storybook mushroom.

Each bean pressed into the red cap feels like placing stars in the sky, small details that bring the whole picture to life.

Materials Needed

• 1 piece of cardboard (10”×10”)
• 1/2 cup red playdough or air-dry clay
• 20-25 white beans (kidney beans or navy beans, 1-2 cm long)
• White marker or paint pen
• Scissors (if trimming cardboard)
• Optional: dice (to turn it into a counting game for kids)

Step-by-step Guide

Step 1: Cut a square of cardboard and sketch a large mushroom outline using a marker with cap on top, stem below.

Step 2: Roll out red playdough and press it firmly into the mushroom cap section, covering the outline completely.

Step 3: Using white beans, press them into the red dough to form spots. Then space them out evenly, or cluster them for a natural look.

Step 4: Draw the stem with a white marker or fill it in with additional white playdough if you want more texture.

Step 5: Leave the piece flat to dry if you’re using air-dry clay. If it’s playdough, kids can redo the design as many times as they like.

Notes:

For extra fun, roll a dice and let kids place the same number of beans as the number they roll, this turns the craft into a playful counting activity.