As children make their own trail mix, they learn about different types of healthy foods. They also become more familiar with vocabulary relating to different types of food (nuts, dried fruit, seeds, grains) and with the origin of the term “trail mix.”

Setting:

Tasting station

Focus:

Healthy eating

Curricular Areas:

• Health and physical development
• Language development and communication

Trail Mix Directions:

1. 1 scoop nuts (if there are nut allergies, substitute with a different type of cereal or seeds)
2. 1 scoop seeds
3. 1 scoop dried fruit
4. 1 scoop cereal
5. Mix together and eat

Suggestions:

1. Invite the children to make their own trail mix for snack.
2. Provide the necessary ingredients and call attention to the printed directions.
3. Mix together 1 scoop of nuts (if there are nut allergies, substitute with a different type of cereal or seeds), 1 scoop of seeds, 1 scoop of dried fruit, and 1 scoop of cereal
4. Discuss with the children the different types of nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and grains in the cereal. Display the containers (packaging) for the ingredients (e.g., cereal boxes, bags, etc.) so that children can see the pictures and names of each food item.
5. Discuss with the children the origin of trail mix – a snack developed by hikers as a type of food that is lightweight, easy to carry and store, nutritious, and delicious.
6. Encourage children to eat their trail mix as they hike a trail marked out in advance with chalk, flour, or cairns (rock pyramids hikers make to show the way through an area).

Engaging Parents:

Give parents a copy of the directions for Trail Mix. Encourage them to make trail mix with their children at home.