Fueled for Fun!

Developed by Anna Tvedt, former SDSU Extension Nutrition Field Specialist.

This activity is appropriate for Pre-K-2nd grade (ages 4-7) and can be used by classrooms, small groups, or individuals.

Objective

Children will learn that food gives them energy and think positively about their favorite healthy foods from each food group.

Introduce Energy and the Food Groups

Watch (optional)

SciShow Kids, The 5 Fabulous Food Groups

Ask (optional)

  • What did you learn?
  • What are the five food groups? (A: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, dairy)
  • What does food give us? (A: energy)
  • Why do we need energy? (A: to do our favorite activities)
  • What are some of your favorite activities?

Teach

Example script:

We all enjoy different foods. Each of us enjoys many different foods from ALL the food groups. It’s good that we are different, and it’s good that we eat lots of different foods. That helps us to get all the nutrients we need to fuel ourselves well so we can learn and have fun! Lots of healthy foods grow right here in South Dakota. Plus, they taste great! Food is grouped into five categories: fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins, and dairy. What are some of your favorite foods from the (fruit, vegetable, grain, protein, or dairy) food group?

Activity

Materials

  • Activity paper, “_____ is fueled for fun!”, assorted, 1 per child
  • Food group printables, cut on dashed lines, enough for each child to choose 1-2 from each group
  • Crayons, markers, or other colors
  • Scissors
  • Glue sticks
  • (Optional) Headshot of each child, appx. 2.5” x 2.5”

Instructions

  1. Prep: cut the food group page by the gridlines, so each child can choose their favorite foods.
  2. Each child chooses one activity sheet and writes their name on the blank.
  3. Children color clothes onto their activity sheets.
  4. Children draw and color their favorite activity onto the background, such as drawing a sports ball, equipment, field, etc.
  5. Each child chooses one grain, protein, and dairy food that is their favorite. They choose two fruits and vegetables to emphasize choosing these foods often. (Note: all food options are grown/made in South Dakota.)
  6. Children color the foods they have selected and cut them out.
  7. Children glue their favorite foods onto the body.
  8. (Optional) Children glue the headshot of themselves onto the face of the activity sheet.

Share: Ask the children to share their final product, what their favorite activity and foods are, and what they have learned.

Fueled for Fun activity sheet colored with food option on the side
Soccer is this example's favorite activity.

 

Fueled for Fun activity sheet colored with food options cut out and glued to the body
Favorite foods in this example were green beans and peppers (vegetables), a strawberry and pear (fruits), pork (protein),  yogurt (dairy), and cereal (grain).

 

Supplemental Resources

USDA MyPlate Kids, Activity sheets, games, and apps to teach kids abut healthy eating with MyPlate.

Download

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