Educator Idea File: Fruits, Veggies, and the Mystery Box

Cut holes in small boxes big enough for a hand to go through. Place different fruits or vegetables that would be challenging for your audience in your boxes. The students must reach in the box and guess what secret fruit or vegetable is inside just by feeling it. This is a great game for all different ages including adults. With small children it gives you the opportunity to discuss basic shapes and textures. With older children you could pair with an English lesson by making the students write descriptive words about the way the fruit or vegetable feels.Another good idea would be to make the students guess by using the scientific method. 1.)observe/describe2.)make a hypothesis3.)test hypothesis4.)conclusion.Perhaps you could test your hypothesis with researching online.By Heather Stinson, Child Nutrition Specialist, Indiana Department of Education, Office of School & Community Nutrition, Indianapolis, Indiana  www.doe.in.gov/food