Keep Kids Moving with Ribbon Wands

Materials:

1. Wood Dowel
2. Ribbon cut to preferred length
3. Scissors
4. Glue
5. Hot Glue Gun/Stick
6. Markers
7. Index Cards
8. Fruits/Veggies Magazine or Printed Cutouts
   

   
   

Areas Reinforced:

• Fruit/Veggie Recognition
• Creativity
• Movement
• Ability to follow directions
• Color Awareness
• Scissor Practice
• Gluing
• Pencil Holding

Directions:

1. Make pattern card by gluing the fruits and vegetables on one side of the index card. Underneath the picture you can draw the resembling shape for younger children. Explain to your child that fruit and veggies often times can resemble certain shapes or patterns. During this game they will use the ribbon wand to trace the shape of the fruit in the air. Examples are below:

• Carrot: Triangle
• Bell Pepper: Square
• Orange: Circle
• Watermelon: Oval
• Banana: Moon
• Apple: Heart
• Lemon: Diamond (Rhombus)
• Strawberry: Cone
• Carambola (Starfruit): Star
• Cucumber: Cylynder
• Pineapple: Rectangle

2. Let the child color the wood dowel however they would like. HINT: You can use this step to keep them occupied while you find pictures of fruits and vegetables for them to cut out.
3. Cut the ribbon the length that you want it to be. You will lose about 1-2 inches when gluing it on to the dowel.
4. Use the hot glue gun to attach the ribbon to the dowel. (If you don't have a hot glue gun there are several other options you could do, just use what is around your house) When gluing it start by applying glue to the top of the dowel. Stick the ribbon onto hot glue. Pull ribbon down and count to 10 before releasing. Take the ribbon and wrap it around the very top of the dowel, using little bit of hot glue in spots to secure it.
5. Have child draw a pattern card and trace the shape of the fruit or vegetable in the air. Repeat with each hand and then draw a new card. Continue until all cards have been drawn.

Keep the learning going:

While your child is tracing patterns you can take their learning a bit farther by asking them some of these questions;

• Have you ever eaten (Insert fruit or veggie)?
• What color is (Insert fruit or veggie)?
• Does (Insert fruit or veggie) grow in the ground or on a tree?
• What is the difference between a fruit and veggie?
• Can you name a (Insert Color) fruit or veggie?
• What's your favorite fruit or veggie?

Depending on your child you may have to modify the game a bit. That's okay just always keep it FUN!!!

A few alternatives you can try to mix it up is to have them do it to music or do a leg exercise while they are tracing the fruits and vegetables.

Kind Regards,

Lori Graham

Certified Health Nutrition Coach