Nutrition Hand Game

/in /by

Lesson Title: Nutrition Hand Game

Lesson Objectives: Students will learn to listen, stay focused, and identify specific healthy foods.

Grade(s): 1-3

Location(s) to play: Classroom, gym, or cafeteria

Time: 15 minutes

Summary of Tasks/Actions:

  1. The afterschool counselors and students will all stand in a circle.
  2. The rhythm for the game is as follows: clap twice, then clap your lap twice, and finally snap fingers one at a time.
  3. As the group follows the rhythm together, the counselor will say, “Let’s start eating healthy. What foods are whole grain?” and say the student’s name. That student will be the first to go answer, and then the student to the left of them will answer next as everyone is following the rhythm. Students continue in order to the left.
  4. After everyone has taken a turn, the afterschool counselor will say again “Let’s start eating healthy. What foods are (next food group to follow)?”
  5. Play includes each of the following food groups: whole grains, lean meats, vegetables, fruits.

Materials/Equipment: None

Follow-Up Questions:

  1. What did you think of this game?
  2. What did you learn from the game?
  3. What would you change to make the learning stronger?

Extension Activity:

  • Prepare a lesson on the benefits of eating healthy foods with a resource listed:
    • http://www.nourishinteractive.com/nutrition-education-printables (worksheets for healthy food groups)

Answer Key:

Foods under Whole Grains: Oatmeal, barley, quinoa, cereal, bread, bun, pita bread

Foods under Lean Meat/Meat Alternatives: Fish, egg, tofu, chicken, turkey, pork, lentil

Foods under Vegetables: Broccoli, carrot, beans, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, kale

Foods under Fruits: Apricots, cantaloupe, grapefruit, orange, banana, apple, pear