Material: Fruit

This Farmer’s Market guessing-game provides the child with a fun chance to build trust with new food items, without the pressure of eating it all, in an allotted amount of time.

Preparation:

Step 1: Grab a blindfold or bandana. Gather food items (here, we chose a food item that corresponded with every color of the rainbow). Use familiar food items & unfamiliar food items.

Step 2: Have your child put on the blindfold or bandana. Place each food item on a plate.

Step 3: Put the plates in front of the child, one at a time.

Step 4: Ask your child to identify characteristics of food item, using their other senses. Provide them with the language to build that connection with the food in their brain.

• Is it heavy or light?
• Is it smooth, waxy, prickly?
• Does it smell fresh or sweet?
• What shape is it?
• Is it squishy or firm?

Step 5: Have them give their best guess. Assist them as necessary. Have them open their eyes to see if the food matched their guess.

Step 6: Teach them how to cut, peel apart, or even color with the food item.

If they interact with new foods for the first time, consider this a win! If this encourages them to smell or taste new foods – consider this a win, too!

Tips:

1. If this may be overwhelming for your child, reverse the roles. Have them give you a food item to identify. Verbalize your observations. This models confidence with interacting with new foods and provides them with the language to describe new foods.
2. Have them ask you 3 questions about each food item, in order to incorporate problem-solving skills. Perhaps they will ask you, “Where do you see this food item grow?” “What color is the food item?” “When do we usually eat it?”

Enjoy!