Melissa & Doug Food Groups

Planning a well-balanced meal is child's play with this wooden set. Items from the five food groups--including watermelon, milk, cheese, fish, eggs, and much more--are crafted of solid wood and come with four wooden baskets for sorting and storage.

• Dimensions: 12.7x8.9x2.8"
• Age: 3 Years +
• Sturdy wooden food set features items from the five food groups
• Includes watermelon, corn, milk, cheese, cereal, fish, eggs and more
• Stores neatly in four wooden crates
• Fun and educational
• Activity #1: Ask the child to identify each food item (other than condiments) and to categorize it by basic food group: meat, dairy, grain, or fruits and vegetables. Ask the child to place each food group in a different crate.
• Activity #2: Take turns being a chef and a dining customer in a restaurant. Place an "order" for a meal with a variety of ingredients. Have the child assemble your order by memory.
• Activity #3: Have the child identify the colors of each food item, and sort the items by color among the four crates.

• Activity #4: Help the child to assemble a balanced meal in each basket. Explain that each meal must have one item from each food group.
• Activity #5: Visual memory skills: Place 34 ingredients in front of the child. Let the child study them before asking the child to close their eyes while you remove one piece. Ask the child which piece was removed. Gradually increase the number of ingredients.