How do you teach nutrition in a fun way? Through play, play is one of the most effective ways to explore nutritional activities. Here are 16 Healthy Eating Activities for Kids that will help them explore fruits, vegetables and other food groups. All of these activities come from a play-based learning approach and the kids will learn and become familiar with healthy food, without the need for fighting over dinner time.
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Healthy Eating Activities for Kids
1. Fruit Stamp Art for Kids
Healthy eating for kids is one of the common struggles of being a parent. Every parent has had to fight with their kids about eating their fruit and vegetables. This Fruit Stamp Art is one kids art idea that will help toddlers and preschoolers learn about all the different fruits and vegetables that they’ll see on their plates.
2. Veggie Building – Hands On As We Grow
Nutrition activities for kids can also help your kids to learn new skills and concepts. Here your kids can learn about shapes and build 3D structures using fruit and vegetables.
3. Vegetable Garden Sensory Bin
Digging in the veggie patch with kids isn’t always possible, after all, you have to wait for the food to grow before you can pick it. This Vegetable Garden Sensory Bin is a fantastic alternative. Toddlers and preschoolers can dig up and cook these vegetables again and again.
4. Free Fruit Matching Game – Natural Beach Living
Looking for a fun activity to add to any health or nutrition theme. Try these printable fruit cards and nutrition activities, perfect for preschool classrooms.
5. Vegetable Lacing Cards
Use these free printable lacing cards to help your toddlers and preschoolers develop fine motor skills, and learn all about vegetables at the same time. Make sure to add these to your list of Healthy eating activities for kids.
6. Fruit Enzymes Gelatin Experiment – Teach Beside Me
Did you know that certain fruits have enzymes that when mixed with gelatin they prevent it from setting. Read the side of the package the next time you make jello (jelly) and see how they tell you not to include some fruits when making it. This science activity will show you why.
7. Sorting Syllables with Vegetables – Fantastic Fun and Learning
Use this free printable along with either real vegetables, or pretend play food to practice sorting vegetables by the number of syllables. Preschoolers and kindergartners will love learning syllables with this fun play idea.
8. Free Fruit and Vegetable Cutting Strips – Living Montessori Now
Healthy eating for kids doesn’t have to be fancy or difficult. These free Montessori-inspired fruit and vegetable cutting strips are an instant download that will still help kids develop essential life skills.
9. Vegetable Garden Fine Motor Activity
Plant the vegetables in the vegetable garden. This free printable is also a fantastic fine motor activity for toddlers and preschoolers, which will help them learn about where nutritious food comes from.
10. Learning Parts of a Fruit – Carrots are Orange
Explore the different parts of some fruits and vegetables and see what parts really makes up the whole. This is a great way to explore new or unusual fruits and vegetables with your kids.
11. Vegetable Math Game – Fantastic Fun and Learning
Use fresh fruits and vegetables to practice counting, comparing, sorting as well as vocabulary, and language skills.
12. Healthy Eating Activity pack
This free printable pack contains 5 different games that help preschoolers learn all about healthy eating and food choices. This is great for both classrooms and at home with your own children.
13. Vegetable Printing – No Time for Flash Cards
Use vegetables to create art. Healthy eating activities for kids is all about being hands on and fun. This art idea does all of that.
14. Vegetable Stand: Pretend Play – Fantastic Fun and Learning
Set up a vegetable stand and go shopping with the kids. This is a great way to talk about ways to create a healthy shopping list and how to avoid impulse buying treat food.
15. Fruit Paper Craft Activity – Simple Living Creative Learning
Use colorful craft paper to make these beautiful fruit art ideas. These will look wonderful on a “fruit salad” display on the classroom wall.
16. Fruit Themed Count and Clip Cards – Buggy and Buddy
How many fruits are on the card. Learn some math and fine motor skills along with your other healthy food activities.
Are you going to try any of these Healthy Eating Activities for Kids?
Don’t forget to pin the idea for later.
