Learn About Nutrition with Play Dough

2. Show different pictures of food, both healthy and unhealthy. Discuss if each item would be something that would be good to eat every day or something that would not be healthy to eat every day.
3. Label one poster board or sheet of paper “Healthy to Eat Every Day” and the other one “Not Healthy to Eat Every Day.” Tape the food pictures in the correct category.Did You Know? Grains, vegetables, dairy, protein foods, and fruits are all key parts of a balanced plate, according to MyPlate.Gov.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

1. Draw a MyPlate on the poster board or paper and divide it into the five different food categories.
2. Read the book The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle aloud with a family member. With each food the caterpillar eats, place the matching food picture in the correct category of the MyPlate as they are mentioned in the book.
3. Discuss if the caterpillar ate healthy food and how it affected the way he felt. Discuss your favorite foods and if those foods are healthy.Did You Know? Whole grains give kids B vitamins, minerals, and fiber to help them feel fuller longer so they stay alert to concentrate at school.

Make and Mold Play Dough

1. Measure the water and lemon juice into a heatproof, microwavable 2-cup measuring cup. Heat in the microwave until just boiling, about three minutes.
2. While it’s heating, mix together the flour and salt.
3. Add color. Add desired food coloring to the heated water and lemon juice mixture. If using Kool Aid, very slowly (the mixture will foam a bit) pour the kool-aid packets into the hot water and lemon juice mixture. Add additional food coloring to intensify the color if desired.
4. Slowly pour the liquid into the flour and salt mixture and stir with a spatula until it just barely begins to form a dough.
5. Drizzle the tablespoon of cooking oil over the dough and stir again until it forms a ball. At this point, you may want to knead the dough with your hands.
6. As the dough cools it will thicken and become less sticky. Once the dough is completely cooled, you may add flour a tablespoon at a time until it is the desired consistency.
7. Allow the dough to cool on a sheet of aluminum foil, parchment or wax paper.
8. Repeat process to create different colors.
9. Divide the play dough so you have a few different colors. Be creative with the play dough and make it into healthy foods!
10. Discuss why it is important to eat healthy foods. Discuss why it is ok to have treats occasionally.Did You Know? Meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, peas, eggs, nuts, and seeds provide many nutrients including protein and iron. Portion sizes are based upon the nutrition needs of children in various grade groups. School meals also allow cheese, tofu, and yogurt to count as the meat/meat alternate in the school lunch.