Let’s Have an
Alphabet Picnic!

Let’s Have an Alphabet Picnic Activity

Build letter recognition, early literacy skills, healthy eating habits, sensory exploration, and social-emotional development through playful learning!

 

Ages/Grades:

Toddler (with supervision & support)

Preschool

Early Elementary

 

Learning Domains:

  • • Science
  • • Language & Literacy
  • • Math & Spatial Awareness

 

Materials:

  • • Real fruits and vegetables, washed. Include both whole fruit and fruit cut into bite-sized pieces
  • • Picnic blanket or tablecloth
  • • Small baskets or bowls
  • • Plates, napkins and child-safe utensils
  • • Eatable Alphabet Cards or download a selection of fruit & veggie alphabet cards (color or B&W)

Preparation

 

  • • Spread out a picnic blanket or tablecloth in an open area, indoors or out.
  • • Place Eatable Alphabet Cards in a basket or spread them around.
  • • Arrange whole fruits and vegetables on a table or tray.
  • • Place cut pieces of the same fruits and vegetables in small bowls, labeled if needed.

 

Ready, Set, Picnic!

 

Activity Step 1Gather Together: Invite children to join you on the picnic blanket for a special tasting picnic.

 

Activity Step 2Pick a Card: After children choose an alphabet card, work together to identify the letter on the card and the food pictured.

 

Activity Step 3Hunt and Match: Encourage children to search for the whole fruit or vegetable that matches their card. After identifying the item, find the matching cut pieces.

 

Activity Step 4Picnic Time! Invite children to taste a small piece of the fruit or vegetable, then enjoy your picnic, enjoying the opportunity to taste different healthy foods together.

 

Engage Children in Conversation

What letter does your food start with? What sound does it make?

What does your food look like on the outside? How about the inside? Compare and contrast observations about colors, textures and other attributes.

How does it taste? Model descriptive language to extend children’s language around taste and texture.

Practice meal-time manners like “please,” “thank you,” and “may I try that, too?”

 

Extensions

Enjoy read alouds that explain how food grows, and how it gets from fields and farms to our tables. Choose your own favorites or see our suggestions below.

Invite children to recreate their own picnic with dramatic play materials.

Invite children to make their own alphabet cards. (Hint: add magazine photos for collage creations!)

 

Suggested Products