Halloween Tasting Activity – Halloween Science Recording Sheet
Materials needed: Apple juice or cider, milk, or another liquid that flavoring can be added to, different flavors for the children to try (we chose cinnamon, vanilla, hazelnut, caramel, and cranberry flavorings for our experiment (*please note any allergies among your students before making “flavoring” decisions and/or doing this experiment in the classroom), cups, cupcake liners (to shield the color from the taster), straws, pencils or markers, and one recording sheet (linked above) for each child.
We did this activity as a small group group activity. Have the children smell each of the flavorings/spices, etc. that will be used during the experiment. In the days preceding this activity, we made smelling jars (click the link to see an example and a recording sheet printable) to let the children explore the different flavors and scents.
Pour a small amount of liquid into the cups and have the children close their eyes while adding different flavors to each of the cups. The children can “taste test” as many cups as time allows (the recording sheet allows for up to 5 different flavors.) Put the cupcake liners over each of the cups and poke a straw through the center of the liner. Have the children taste test each of their cups (one at a time) and predict which flavoring was added to the cups.
The children can record their predictions (assist younger children) and whether or not they liked each flavoring on the recording sheet linked above.
FALL FEAST TASTE TESTING – Thanksgiving Foods
Materials needed: One “food” for the children to taste test per day. Some examples might be: cranberries, candy corn, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, corn, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, etc. *NOTE – Be sure to consider allergies before serving children different foods in the classroom.
Have the children try some of the foods that may be served at a Thanksgiving dinner. Print the Thanksgiving Foods recording sheet (linked above). The children can write/stamp the name of the food or cut magazine pictures to glue on the worksheet. Have the children circle the happy or sad face to indicate whether they liked that particular food.
At the end of the foods taste test, chart all the different foods and the names of the children who liked each on a poster board.
Extension Idea: Take pictures of the children trying the different foods. Make an end of the unit graph with pictures of the children who liked each food.
For other activities, ideas, and pdf files to print, see Preschool and Kindergarten Themes for Active Learning and Play at The Preschool Toolbox Blog!