Summer Food and Fun!
Indoor
Indoor Nutrition Activities
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Please contact Chris West at the SW PA Food
Security Partnership with questions or any
help needed in doing any of these activities:
412-466-7711
[email protected]
This document was prepared by Brandie Waxler, CDM and graduate of CCAC’s
Dietetic Tech Program; Matthew Heredia, AmeriCorps member, and Jesse
Sharrard, both with Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank; and Chris West,
with the Southwestern PA Food Security Partnership, for the Southwestern PA
Food Security Partnership (www.pittsburghfoodbank.org/partnership), Just
Harvest (www.justharvest.org), and Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
(www.pittsburghfoodbank.org). © 13 June 2013
This document has been edited and re-designed by Debra Spirko, CDM graduated
and DTR (Dietetic Technique Registered) student of CCAC’s Dietetic Tech
Program and Amber Deemer; Dietetics and Nutrition undergraduate at Penn
State University © 1 May 2014
This document was revised by Rachel Forlifer, Nutrition Educator and AmeriCorps
member at Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. © 1 June 2014
The activities in this packet were intended to be used with the Summer Food Service
Program, and came from various sources, including Greater Pittsburgh Community
Food Bank, USDA, and Healthy Eating Toolkit for Summer Food Programs from Project
Bread and Community Servings, Nourish Interactive, Univ. of Tennessee Extension,
UPMC, the Bell Institute, Cooking Matters for Kids, and KidsCAN Curriculum from
Foodlink, Inc.
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Packet Information:
This packet was created to be used during the Summer Foods
Program. Packets were structured based on the activity room
and availability at participating sites. The site instructor will
decide which games and activates to use, based upon the ages
of the kidss who attend.
Knowledge Verses Wisdom
“Knowledge is
knowing
that a tomato is a
fruit
not a vegetable.
Wisdom is knowing
Not to include it
In a
Fruit salad
---- Anonymous
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Table of Contents
Nutrition 101……………………………………………………………………………... 5
Color My Plate …………………………………………………………………………… 7
The My Plate Game ……………………………………………………………………. 9
My Plate Trivia ………………………………………………………………………….. 11
Match the Food Groups ........................................................................................ 13
Grain Chain ……………………………………………………………………………….. 15
Food Riddles ……………………………………………………………………………… 24
Fruit Dash ................................................................................................................... 25
Alphabet Snack Attack ……………………………………………………………….. 26
Apple Says Game ……………………………………………………………………….. 28
The Story of the Junk Food Man …………………………………………………. 29
Tell …………………………………………………………………………………………… 30
Food Safety Coloring Activity …………………………………………………….. 31
Jump Rope for Heart ………………………………………………………………….. 39
Fruit Word Search ……………………………………………………………………... 41
Green Foods worksheet ……………………………………………………………... 42
Frog Maze worksheet ………………………………………………………………… 43
Breakfast worksheet ………………………………………………………………….. 44
Protein worksheet ……………………………………………………………………... 45
Snack attack worksheet ……………………………………………………………... 46
Eat a Rainbow worksheet …………………………………………………………... 47
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Nutrition 101
It is important for kids to know the fundamentals about nutrition and healthy
eating so that they can make healthier food selections at a young age. When
children start making healthy choices at a young age, they are more likely to
continue making healthy habits as they get older. In this lesson, the instructor will
teach kids about nutrition and the 5 food groups on MyPlate.
What is nutrition?
Nutrition is the science of food—how it gets broken down and what our bodies do
with it to grow big and strong.
Below is a picture of MyPlate. MyPlate is the current nutrition guide that shows us
how to eat healthy.
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When we take a look at the MyPlate, there are a total of 5 different food groups present:
protein, grains, fruits, vegetables and dairy. So, what are these 5 food groups and why
does our body need them?
1.) Protein helps us grow muscles. Protein also helps fix our muscles when they are
damaged. Many athletes eat a lot of protein so they can get strong muscles. Here
are some examples of protein:
Meats
Chicken
Eggs
Fish
Nuts
Beans
2.) Grains give us energy. They can give us energy to play outside, to focus in school
and even to talk to our friends! Here are some examples of grain foods:
Bread
Rice
Pasta
Oatmeal
Cereal
3.) Fruits and Vegetables are filled with vitamins and minerals our bodies need to
stay healthy and strong. Eating fruits and veggies help our bodies to fight off
disease. Remember to eat all the different color fruits and veggies, because each
color helps different parts of your body.
4.) Dairy is important because it gives us a special mineral called calcium. We need
calcium in our bodies because it helps us have strong bones and teeth. Some dairy
foods are:
Milk
Cheese
Yogurt
After discussing MyPlate with the kids, have them complete some of the following
activities. Talk to them about their thoughts on healthy eating.
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Color MyPlate
This activity will help the kids get a better understanding of what a
complete meal looks like and what they should be including on their plates
at each meal. For this you will need paper plates, markers, and/or crayons.
You will then ask the children to draw on the paper plates (or use the next
page) their idea of a complete meal. You can follow the MyPlate example
shown below and make sure the 5 main food groups (grains, fruits,
vegetables, dairy and protein) are included on the plates.
Variation: Instead of drawing, have the kids cut pictures of food out of
magazines and ads, then glue them on to paper plates to make meals.
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The MyPlate Game
How to Play:
1. You will need a piece for each player and a coin.
2. Take turns flipping the coin—heads means move two spaces and tails
means move one space. If you land on an “Eat Smart to Play Hard” logo,
flip again.
3. Follow the instructions on each space where you land.
4. True and false answers will be found in the color coded info boxes to
the center of the board. In order to move ahead a space, you must get
the answer correct.
5. First one to the MyPlate logo wins!
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My Plate Trivia
Divide the kids into 2 groups. Ask them the below questions and whichever
team gets the answer right first, gets a point. Keep score and the team with
the most points wins! Feel free to add your own questions.
How much of your plate at meals should
be fruits and vegetables?
(Half)
(Protein Foods: ground meat; Vegetable:
What food groups does a beef taco fit
lettuce, tomato; Grain: tortilla/taco shell;
into?
Dairy: cheese)
Shrimp belongs to what food group?
(Protein Foods)
Yogurt belongs to what food group?
(Dairy)
Beans and peas are special. They belong
to two food groups. What are they?
(Vegetables and Protein Foods)
100% orange juice is part of what food
group.
Provide two examples of a whole-grain
food.
Dark-Green, Starchy, Red and Orange,
Beans and Peas — these are subgroups
of foods in what food group?
What is a whole-grain alternative to
white rice?
A Hawaiian pizza, with pineapple and
ham as toppings, belongs to what food
group?
Kale is an example of a _________ .
(Fruits, but it has to be 100% juice)
(Answers can vary, e.g., brown rice,
wholewheat bread/pasta/tortilla/crackers,
oatmeal, buckwheat, quinoa, popcorn)
(Vegetable)
(Brown rice)
(All five! Fruit: pineapple; Vegetable: tomato
sauce; Protein Foods: ham; Dairy: cheese;
Grain: crust.)
(Vegetable; specifically a dark-green
vegetable)
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Name five vegetables beginning with the (Answers can vary, e.g., carrot, celery, collard
same letter
greens, corn, cassava, cabbage, cauliflower.)
What food groups are missing from this
meal: Fish, beans, broccoli, milk?
(Grain, Fruit)
Walnuts, almonds, and peanuts are
examples of what, and all belong to what
food group?
(Nuts, Protein Foods)
Which of the following is not a whole
grain? Oatmeal, shredded wheat, whole
whole(Corn flakes)
wheat toast, corn flakes?
Identify four types of beans that are
Protein Foods.
(Answers can vary, e.g., black, kidney, soy,
pinto, navy)
Make at least half your grains each day
whole grains. Which of the following are
examples of whole grains? Animal
crackers, corn bread, cheese puffs,
pretzels, whole-wheat
wheat crackers.
(Only the whole-wheat
wheat crackers)
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Match the Food Groups!
Circle the foods in the right color:
Grains in Orange
Fruit in Red
Vegetables in Green
Protein in Purple
Dairy in Blue
Black Beans
Frozen
Yogurt
Steak
Strawberries
Broccoli
Cheese
Bananas
Wheat Bread
Carrots
Chicken
Bell Peppers
White Rice
Orange
Nonfat Milk
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Answer Key
Grain Foods
Wheat Bread –Healthy Choice
White Rice
Fruits
Bananas
Strawberries
Oranges
Vegetables
Broccoli
Carrots
Bell Peppers
Dairy Foods
Cheese
Nonfat Milk — Healthy Choice
Frozen Yogurt
Protein
Black Beans — Healthy Choice
Steak
Chicken — Healthy Choice
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Grain Chain
Materials: Colored paper strips to make paper chains, Stapler, Game
cards(see next pages), Paper bag or container for game cards.
Preparation: Have a paper chain started. Print game cards and put in paper
bag.
Directions: Explain what a grain is, and the difference between whole and
refined grains to the group:
“Grains are basically seeds that we eat. They are in many of our
favorite foods. Some grains you may know are wheat, rice, corn, and oats.
Grains are an important part of healthy eating. A grain kernel has
multiple parts inside, that all give you energy and nutrients when you eat
them. Whole grains have the entire grain kernel which is important. Foods
like whole wheat bread, brown rice, and whole wheat pasta have whole
grains in them.
Refined grains are different from whole grains. When refined grains
are made, good parts of the grain kernel are taken away. It is a good idea to
try to eat less refined grains and more whole grains.”
Explain the Grain Chain game:
“In this bag, there are cards with pictures of food. One at a time you
will come up and draw a card. Look at the card and tell us if it is made with
grains. If it is, we will staple it to the grain chain! If you draw a question
card, answer the question.”
The cards that are NOT grain foods are: orange juice, ice cream, salad, steak,
apples, eggs, and broccoli. If it is a grain, ask them if it is a whole grain or
could be made with whole grains (for example, pizza crust might not be, but
could be made with whole wheat flour). Once everyone has pulled a
question, you will have a long grain chain! Display it somewhere in the
room.
*Addition: Putting Whole Grains to the Test (demo). This demo shows how whole and refined
grains react differently in our bodies. At beginning of talk, place a slice of whole wheat bread
and a slice of white bread in separate bowls and cover both with orange juice. After 10 minutes
pick up the bread with tongs and notice the difference between the two. Explain how whole
grains take longer to break down, making us feel fuller longer.
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Food Riddles
Try reading these riddles to the kids and see if they can guess them! Then
have the kids write their own food riddles.
I am in the vegetable group.
I grow underneath the ground.
I can be eaten raw or cooked.
I help keep eyes healthy.
I am the color orange.
I am a… CARROT
I am in the protein group.
I come from a farm animal.
Open me up and you’ll see 2 parts.
I am eaten for breakfast.
I can be served in many ways, like
scrambled, poached, or boiled.
I am an… EGG
I am in the grains group.
I have lots of fiber.
I am brown.
I make a great sandwich.
Spread some peanut butter on me.
I am … WHOLE WHEAT BREAD
I am in the dairy group.
I help build strong bones and teeth.
I am good in smoothies.
I am delicious with fruit.
I am in parfaits.
I am… YOGURT
I am in the fruit group.
I am a type of citrus fruit.
I grow best in warm weather.
You can squeeze me to make juice.
I am the same color as my name.
I am an…ORANGE
I am in the vegetable group.
I am green.
I taste good raw, steamed, sautéed,
or roasted.
My closest vegetable cousin is
cauliflower.
I look like a miniature tree.
I am … BROCCOLI
I am in the fruit group.
I am in the fruit group.
I’m somewhere between the size of a I am in season most of the year.
golf ball and the size of a tennis ball. I am in pies.
My skin is brown and fuzzy.
I am round and plump with tiny
Once you peel me, I’m bright green
seeds inside.
and juicy on the inside!
You may have heard “one of me a
I am a … KIWI
day keeps the doctor away”.
I am an … APPLE
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Fruit Dash!
1. Assign each kid a fruit (either banana, strawberry, apple, or orange for
example).
2. Everyone sits or stands in a circle on a spot marker. One child is
without a spot—the child stands in the middle and says their name
and a fruit that they like (e.g., “My name is Matt and I like bananas!”).
3. All of the “banana” kids must leave their spots and find a new spot to
stand on. The kid left without a spot is now in the middle.
4. Add combinations such as “I like strawberry-banana” or “I like all
fruit!”
*Can also be played in a circle of chairs
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Alphabet Snack Attack
This game uses the alphabet as the basis for identifying nutritious snacks.
The goal is to think of at least one healthy snack for each letter of the
alphabet. Explain that healthy snacks are low in sugar and fat. Healthy
snacks give us lots of vitamins and energy. Ask children to write down an
individual food item for each letter. (A=Apple; B=bread, etc)
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Write in the name of a
healthy snack starting with
each letter of the alphabet
A
N
B
O
C
P
D
Q
E
R
F
S
G
T
H
U
I
V
J
W
K
X
L
Y
M
Z
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The Apple Says Game
This game can be played with two or more kids. For each of the following, do the
exercise only if "The Apple Says" to do it. Kids doing an exercise that "The
Apple" didn't say to do must sit down.
Practice:
1. "The Apple Says" run in place. (Kids run in place.)
2. Hop on one foot. (Anyone doing this would have to sit down because it
wasn't preceded by "The Apple Says.")
Playing the game:
1. The Apple Says jump up and down.
2. The Apple Says wave your hands above your head.
3. The Apple Says play do 2 jumping jacks.
4. Run in place.
5. Hop from one foot to the other.
6. The Apple Says sit down.
7. Stand up.
8. The Apple Says stand up.
9. The Apple Says hop on foot.
10.
The Apple Says dance.
11.
Do a jumping jack.
12.
The Apple Says walk around in a circle.
13.
The Apple Says jog in place.
14.
Turn around.
15.
The Apple Says jump rope. (kids should fake jumping rope)
16.
Touch your knees.
17.
The Apple Says turn around.
18.
The Apple Says form a line and march.
19.
The Apple Says clap your hands behind your back.
20.
Wiggle your ears.
21.
The Apple Says tap your shoulders.
22.
The Apple Says fake swim
23.
Stop
24.
The Apple Says stop
The Apple Says Game Over, Good Job Kids!!!
© 2014 University of Illinois Board of Trustees
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The Story of the Junk
Food Man
Jay Mankita 2006
Who's makin' money tellin' children lies?
About happy clowns eatin' burgers and fries
Puts the fast food in the children's hand
"Its good for you", says the junk food man. Don't believe the junk food man
They put 10 or 12 teaspoons of sugar in a can
That's the junk food company plan
He puts the can of soda in the childrens' hand
"Its good for you", says the junk food man. Don't believe the junk food man
The junk food man is gonna hook you in - He'll play you kid, just like a violin
And just like drugs or cigarettes, he makes more money the more kids he gets
The junk food man he gets his pay
To tell you lies - lead you astray
Puts the candy in the children's hand
"Its good for you", says the junk food man. Don't believe the junk food man
Junk food man, junk food man, he’ll try to get you if he can…
Junk food man, junk food man, don't believe the junk food man
You spend your money to pay his due
But he's got no respect for you
Puts the fake food in the childrens' hand
"Its good for you", says the junk food man. Don't believe the junk food man
The junk food man is gonna hook you in - He'll play you kid, just like a violin
And just like drugs or cigarettes - He makes more money - the more kids he gets
Who's makin' money tellin' children lies?
About happy clowns eatin' burgers and fries
Puts the children in the company's hand
(Its good for you) says the junk food man - don't believe the junk food man
Hey, you want this toy? It's the real McCoy
You'll just have to eat more junk food, boy
Got your playground here – and your action gear
Watch your money disappear
More shakes and pies, more burgers and fries
Eat that junk food, swallow those lies
Credits from it like a rainbow, released 03 March 2007. Junk food man, Jay Mankita 2006
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Tell
The instructor will pick a kid to go to go firs
first.
t. The Instructor will give
him/her
her the name of a food and they will keep it secret.
The kid, when ready, will give ONLY three words (clues) to describe the
food to the others and they will have to guess the food based on the clues
given. Play the game long enough as so each kid gets a turn.
Example: Carrot Then the three clues given could be long, orange,
vegetable
Other Foods that can be used:
Milk
Strawberry
Spaghetti
Cheese
Egg
Bread
Peanut Butter
Apple
Grapes
NOTE: The instructor can choose a nutritious food of their own to use
© Penn state college of agricultural sciences cooperative extension
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Food Safety Coloring
Activity
**This is might be best for the younger kids in the center, instructor can determine**
It is important for children to learn about food safety at a young age. This
activity emphasizes basic safe food handling tips in simple words that
children can understand. All you need for this activity crayons, markers
or colored pencils. After they finish coloring and show understanding of
food safety, you can sign and present the enclosed certificate to each
child.
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Wash and dry your hands before you make or eat a
snack or meal.
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Fruits
ruits and vegetables are healthy after
after-school
school snacks.
Be sure to wash them with cold water
before you eat them.
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Put backpacks on the floor — not the counter. Keep
everything in the kitchen clean.
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Use a cooler when you pack a picnic lunch.
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Put foods like milk, yogurt, lunch meat and eggs back in
the refrigerator right away. Don’t leave them out on the
counter.
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Activity Page.
Find the six food safety mistakes.
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The Jump Rope Alphabet
Game
Directions: The instructor picks a player to go first and hands him / her the
rope. When ready, the player will begin jumping rope and the instructor will then
call out a random letter and a number from 1 to 3. The child will then have jump
rope while calling out a nutritious food beginning with the letter chosen. The
number represents the number of foods he / she must call out during their jump
/ turn. After the first player is finished, he / she gets to hand the rope to the next
player. The instructor will then call out a letter and a number for the second
player.
Object of the game: The player must be able to complete their turn of jumping
without stopping. If the player stops jumping before their list of foods is
completed, then they are out of the game. However, if another player calls out a
food that is not nutritious and is unhealthy, then the first player that had to sit
out because they stopped jumping before their list was completed, is
automatically back in the game. The player that called out the wrong food must
then call out another food that is nutritious in order to erase their mess up and
continue on with their list until they have completed their turn. Ex.: If player
number 5 was given the letter “L” and the number 3, then he / she would jump
rope while calling out 3 nutritious foods that begin with “L”. If he / she was
unable to think of 3 “L” foods and stopped jumping before completing her list
then he / she would sit out the rest of the game. However, say player number 8
was given the letter “P” and the number 3 and they called out pears, pie, and
peanuts. Pie is not a nutritious food so the player should NOT stop and they
should continue to jump until they think of another food to take the place of pie.
The first player that had to sit out; in this example that was player number 5;
then player number 5 is now back in the game. If the current jumper does not
think of another food to replace pie and he / she stops jumping then he / she is to
sit out the rest of the game, unless somebody else messes up.
NOTE: It is better if the instructor calls out letters in a random order, so the
players cannot think of foods before their turn. This gets them thinking on spot.
Winning the Game: To make it through the entire alphabet and being the last
player or players still in the game after the letter “Z” has been completed.
Exemptions to the rules: The player that gets the letter “F” can call out fat free
foods such as fat free milk or yogurt. The player with the letter “L” can call out
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Low-fat foods such as milk or yogurt. The player who gets the letter “X” is
permitted to call pass while jumping and the instructor can give another letter.
The instructor may permit one of the players sitting out to give another letter for
the “X” instead. However, if the player can come up with any “X” food word such
as Xigua, a Chinese watermelon, xylocarp, a plant that bears a hard fruit similar
to a coconut, xouba, a small, sardine like fish found near Spain, Xochitl tortilla
chips, etc. Then they are permitted to get away with only shouting out one food
and they may pick a player that is sitting out to return to the game.
© Just Harvest, Debra Spirko 04 February 2014
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