Supplies:
- A variety of food items, i.e., dry cereal, raisins, chocolate chips, dried apple chips, small crackers, pretzels…any of your favorite mix-ins.
- One large bowl and a measuring cup or spoon for each ingredient.
- Small individual bowls (one for each child) or other storage containers.
Special Notes/Precautions:
- Serve only under adult supervision.
- Review any food allergies a child may have.
- Small objects (including soft/hard candies and nuts may be choking hazards).
- Only share the mix with children who can easily chew and swallow food.
Step by Step Fun!
Make a homemade trail mix: Foster self-care routines by starting with everyone washing/drying their hands. Give each child one ingredient and a scoop or measuring cup. Take turns measuring a set amount (e.g., 1 cup) of their ingredients and pouring it into the large bowl. Once all ingredients are in the bowl, have them take turns stirring the mix and then scooping and pouring a serving of the trail mix into their individual container. During the activity, be clear and specific with instructions and give children time to process and respond. Encourage describing each ingredient as they scoop, pour, and mix. Enjoy!
Activity Alternatives:
- For children working on language: Discuss the food items in the mix – described sweet, salty, crunchy, chewy, soft etc.
Challenge Boosters:
- Work on higher level eye-hand coordination and control by pouring the food items directly from their original packaging into the measuring cups.
- Create and print/write a recipe for the mix. For non-readers, create a step-by-step picture/visual recipe to follow.
- Dip pretzels in tempered chocolate before using them the mix.
- Encourage children to talk about their favorite snacks and meals – use this conversation to plan for the next recipe, considering everyone’s favorites.
Benefits of Play:
- Following directions is a fundamental skill needed in everyday life and school. Using modeling during this activity is powerful!
- Cooperative play is a goal-oriented/purposeful activity in which children work together and take turns to complete the task.
- Executive functioning includes the ability to plan, organize materials, control impulsivity, and problem solve – following simple to more complex recipes is a fantastic way to foster this skill.