Healthy Valentine Class Party Idea: Have a “Red Tasting Party”
Inside: If you’re looking for a healthy Valentine class party idea, have a “Red Tasting Party” and let kids sample all kinds of red fruits and veggies.
Reader Comment:
I did this with a class of second graders and they LOVED IT!
If you’re looking for a healthy Valentine’s Day class party idea, here’s one that’s especially fun for preschool or young grade school children: Have a “Red Tasting Party” with fruits and veggies in all shades of scarlet.
I’ve done this Valentine class party idea for both kindergarten and preschool classes, and it was a big hit!
How to have a “Red Tasting Party”
The concept is pretty simple: Set out a buffet of red (and even pink) fruits and veggies and let kids sample them.
In addition to the foods shown above, here are more red and pink food ideas:
- Pomegranate seeds
- Red apples
- Watermelon
- Pink grapefruit
- Blood oranges
- Beets
- Red onion
- Dried or fresh cranberries
- Dried or fresh cherries
- Red pears
Supplies you need
Table: For setting out your samples. A red, pink, or Valentine’s Day-theme tablecloth
Plates or bowls: Put individual samples of each red or pink food on plates or into bowls in a buffet-type line.
Individual plates: Give each child their own plate for tasting, ideally some festive Valentine’s Day paper plates.
Toothpicks or tongs: Class party volunteers can either serve each child a sample or older kids can choose using tongs or toothpicks.
Food-grade plastic gloves: These are nice for class party volunteers who are serving food.
Tips for a great tasting party
- Encourage kids to try each sample but don’t pressure any child to put a food on their plate or taste something if they’ve resistant. You want this to be fun!
- Taste things one by one as a class and talk about flavor, texture, aroma, and color.
- If you hear “yucks” and “gross”, encourage kids to be specific about what they do and don’t like about each food.
- Explain that different people have different tastes and preferences and that we should never “yuck” someone’s “yum”.
- Consider making a big chart together. Tally favorites in the class and make a bar or pie chart to show what was liked best.
Why this Valentine class party idea is so good for kids
Seeing your peers tasting new foods is a powerful and positive influence.
Some kids may be motivated to try something new because they see their classmate eating it. Sometimes that’s referred to as “positive peer pressure”.
Chances are, someone’s going to taste a food they’ve never had before–or try something again they didn’t think they liked.
More class party ideas
I volunteered for many years in my sons’ school, coordinating or helping with class parties and serving on the school’s wellness committee. Here are some kid-tested ideas for you that worked well for us:
- These grape sculptures were a surprise success during my son’s first grade classroom party.
- Here are 16 Halloween Class Party Ideas that are healthy and simple to make.
- Want to celebrate without food? Here are 10 food-free ways to celebrate class birthdays.
- Need ideas for healthy school-wide events or fundraisers ? See All My Posts About School Wellness
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