An Apple A Day

Supplementary Activities

Food Card Project:

(Note: The cards created in this activity can be used in Food Card Games.)

Tools: Index cards and crayons or markers

Directions: Have children name as many items of food as possible. Then ask them to write the name of each food item on the lined side of an index card. Ask the children to draw a picture of the food item on the unlined side of the same index card. This activity may take several sessions in order to create a sizable supply of Food Game Cards to be used in Food Card Games.

Food Card Game 1

Materials: A large supply of Food Cards created by children in the Food Card project, plus six cards for each team playing on which you have written “Grains,” “Vegetables,” “Fruits,” “Oils,” “Dairy,” and “Meats and Beans.” Prizes are optional.

Description: Divide the children into equal teams. Spread out on the floor or table the six “Grains,” “Vegetables,” “Fruits,” “Oils,” “Dairy,” and “Meats and Beans” cards for each team. In random order, divide the number of food cards you have evenly among the two teams.

This game is based on speed and accuracy, so when you say “Go,” the teams will rush simultaneously to put each card in its possession into the proper category (“Grains,” “Vegetables,” “Fruits,” “Oils,” “Dairy,” and “Meats and Beans.”). The team with the most cards in the proper categories wins.

(Note: This game can be played using the picture side of the cards or the word side of the cards.)

Food Card Game 2

Materials: A large supply of food cards created by children in the Food Card project. Prizes are optional.

Description: Divide the children into equal teams. In random order, divide the number of Food Cards you have evenly among the two teams. This game is based on speed and accuracy, so when you say “Go,” the teams will rush simultaneously to put its set of cards into alphabetical order. The team with the fewest mistakes wins.

(Note: This game can be played using the picture side of the cards or the word side of the cards.)

(Developed from content at www.dole5aday.com, www.ext.nodak.edu/food/kidsnutrition/kids-2.htm, www.usda.gov, and www.mypyramid.gov.)

Additional Resources