
7 ways to play with food
The goal of these activities is to explore the sensory characteristics of food.
- Deposit a variety of food items (examples: dry cereal, fruit, flour, coffee, lettuce, bread, oats, oil, spices, etc.) in a bowl filled with water to see them sink or float. Stir.
- Mix ingredients together to create new colors (yogurt and ketchup, mustard, chocolate or strawberry syrup, jam).
- Use soft and colourful food items to paint on construction paper (examples: jam, peanut butter, mustard, chocolate or strawberry syrup, etc.). Children can use paintbrushes or their fingers. Sprinkle sugar over their "paintings" to add texture.
- Use a potato masher to mash food items and observe their texture (examples: crackers, tomatoes, bread, cheese, bananas, strawberries, rice cakes, etc.).
- Tear or cut food items (examples: deli cold cuts, cooked pasta, cheese, lettuce, licorice, fruit leather, etc.) to observe their transformation.
- Break food items into pieces (examples: uncooked pasta, eggs, cinnamon sticks, chocolate, chips, etc.) to explore different sounds.
- Tap or blow on different types of food items (examples: cucumbers versus chips) to create music.
Have fun!
Josiane Caron Santha
Occupational therapist
