#TWKatHome Activities

Creating a Family Food Story

Welcome to TWKatHome, our fun, free online content that helps kids and families explore food and build positive, healthy eating habits. As we settle into winter, we are focusing on Food Happenings, connecting food to current events. In the coming months, we will be exploring how food can help create a better understanding of the events around us.

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In this week of Food Happenings we are talking about Valentine's Day and family food heritage. We’ll be exploring how this holiday of love can help us discover and record our family's unique food story. Get ready to have a conversation, make some valentines and write your own cook book!

TasteWise Kids - are you hungry for some learning?

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Have a Conversation

A story is an account of something that has happened.  Each family has their own food story based on their culture, traditions, travels, and experiences.

This Valentine's Day, have a conversation with your family about what makes up your family’s food story. Imagine yourself wanting to find the perfect spot to relax and read a good book. Find a spot to snuggle up and talk about your family.

After your conversation, try drawing a picture to share what you learned. Turn your picture into a Valentine and send it in the mail or pass it along to someone you love!

Are You Ready for an Activity?

This week we have two special Valentine's day activities to help you dive into your family's food story even more. These activities go hand in hand with one another. You can do one, or both together! Follow along below to spread love and understanding through food.

Activity: Create a Family Food Map

Maps are used in a variety of ways. Maps can show directions geographical locations. Maps can also be used to show relationships between things. Look at a map of your state, country, and the world and think about the many places your family’s food heritage has come from.

Try reading My Map Book by Sara Finelli. In this book, children explore maps in different ways.

Download a printable version of this activity and use the directions below to make your own food map.

Instructions:

  1. Create a map of foods you and your family would love to try. Challenge your family to try each new food.
  2. Place the map somewhere in your kitchen and use it as a map to guide you in trying new meals together.
  3. After you try each new food, color over that spot of your map.
  4. When you are finished, you will have a new piece of art to display!
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Activity: Start a Family Cookbook

Did you know that you can be the author of your own cookbook? The best part of this cookbook is that you can keep adding to it as you learn new recipes and food stories from your family.

Download a printable version of this activity and use the directions below to get started on making your own cookbook.

Instructions:

  1. Start with a list of family members to include in the cookbook. They could also include loved ones that you consider family.
  2. Interview each person on your list to find out recipes to include. Ask everyone for their favorite food memory of each item. Including a food memory for each recipe will be a great addition and one you will treasure for years to come!
  3. Choose a way to create your cookbook. You can create pages and put them together. You can write them in a journal or on your computer. You can record each family member talking about their special dish. Remember this is your family food story, so you get to be the author and design it any way you would like to. If you need a good place to start you can use our Recipe Page template included in the activity.
  4. Find a special place to display your cookbook!

Keep Learning and Exploring

  • Plan a virtual family reunion with family and loved ones. Bring a list of questions to interview your family members about their food memories.
  • Make a family tree with pictures of your family members with their favorite family food listed. Check out Family Tree Magazine for great family tree templates.
  • Check out cookbooks from the library and try new types of food.
  • Explore the Kids World Travel Guide to learn about food traditions from all over the world.