Preschool Activities on Fruits and Vegetables

Broccoli, blueberries, carrots and grapes are easy to carry, and healthy to eat. Preschoolers enjoy feeling the textures, squeezing juices from fruits and playing with their food. Broccoli dipped in ranch dressing may be a better choice than traditional candy sticks dipped in sugar. Adding yogurt and humus spreads will increase nutritional dipping options. Let them explore the flavors and textures of fruits and vegetables to promote healthy eating habits for a lifetime.

Ants On A Log

• Traditional ants on a log use celery with peanut butter spread, topped with raisins. Children have trouble eating celery, because it can be difficult to chew and it leaves strings hanging in their teeth. Provide each child with paper towels, grapes, raisins, shelled peanuts and peanut butter, but use baby carrots instead of celery. Have the children create their own edible ants on a log after they learn about each item. Explain that raisins come from grapes; peanut butter from mashed peanuts; and those carrots grow in the ground. Be sure that the fruits and vegetables are seedless and that no students have peanut allergies. If peanuts are not an option, humus can be substituted.

Veggie Dip Painting

• Cut broccoli, green peppers, corn and cauliflower into small bite-sized pieces. Place large sheets of construction or wrapping paper on the table for each student. Provide each child with some paper towels, wet wipes, ranch dressing, humus or peanut butter, and the sliced vegetables. Place all of these items on top of the paper. Encourage the children to dip the vegetables into the dressing, press onto the paper to create designs and then eat the vegetables. Many vegetables create an interesting design when sliced, so try to choose unique and colorful vegetables but be sure to remove any seeds before allowing the little one to explore.

Vegetable Families

• Children may not always be able to play with their food, but early on, it's a great tool.

  Preschoolers may need assistance with this vegetable project. Use toothpicks or Popsicle sticks to make people and animals. Be careful, because little hands and fingers can find it difficult to grasp toothpicks. Slice carrots, green peppers, okra and eggplant into strips, circles and squares. Show the children how to put vegetable pieces onto the sticks. Tell them that these people or animals will play in the pond or lake of dressings. Use peanut butter, humus or ranch dressing for dipping play. Encourage the preschoolers to play with and eat the vegetables after removing them from the toothpicks. To make the play more fun, build construction paper farms, houses, fences and trees to set the scene.

Healthy Popsicle Treats

• Provide each child with an apron, some paper towels and pre-moistened towels for quick clean up. Cut strawberries, bananas, peaches and kiwi into bite-sized pieces. Give each child a marker and a bag and have them write their name on their bag. Each child will then choose fresh fruits and places them into large freezer bags. Remove all the air and seal each freezer bag tightly. Each child will squeeze the bag, mashing the fruits into puree. Put the slushy bags into the freezer until the fruit is slightly frozen. Remove the bags from the freezer, tear the top of the bags and and let each child lick or chew the frozen fruits.