Activities That Help Children Learn Healthy Practices

Activities that help children learn healthy practices are important because of the number of food temptations presented in the media, including television commercials, magazines and newspapers. Children are exposed to many unhealthy food images and choices each day. Healthy practices learned through activities will help children to make healthy food choices throughout their lives. They can find several health activities online.

Food Pyramid

• On the Kids Health website, children can explore the Food Guide Pyramid. This activity teaches children about the important food groups needed in healthy eating. Children click on the pyramid's colors to learn about food groups such as grains, vegetables, fruits, oils, dairy, meat and beans. They can take a quiz on the food groups and print out a food guide.

Scavenger Hunt

• The American Heart Association website offers a fun activity for children called Healthy Challenge Scavenger Hunt. Players develop a list of healthy activities; after a player completes each activity, he crosses it off the list and goes on to the next healthy activity. For example, the list may direct the player to touch a tube of toothpaste or point to a healthy snack or canned food. A parent or teacher can direct the scavenger hunt, using a stopwatch to time the players.

Flash Cards

• My Nutrition Flash Cards is another health activity available on the American Heart Association site. This activity introduces children to important food components such as protein, calcium, fiber, fat, trans fats and sodium. Children can learn these nutritional words anywhere they can use flash cards.

Body Functions

• How the Body Works Scavenger Hunt, an activity on the Kids Health website, helps children learn about the parts and functions of the body. For example, the site asks players about how the digestive system works and how many muscles are in the body. Players can answer the questions over and over until they master the information.