The Strawberry Patch

Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Preschool Fun With Fruits and Vegetables

Booklet 7
Welcome to...

The Strawberry Patch at Tasty Acres Farm!

Red, ripe, sweet, juicy strawberries are sure to delight young children. Youngsters learn about these 

flavorful fruits in the Strawberry Patch at Tasty Acres Farm. Children explore and discover for themselves 

how a strawberry looks, feels, tastes, and smells. After all that, who can resist a taste, or two? Children help 

with hands-on growing activities. They learn strawberries come from seeds and plants before appearing 

in baskets at the market. Children taste and enjoy strawberries in many different ways. Trying new foods 

broadens children’s food choices. Growing at Home materials are home activities that sprout from the 

day’s lessons. These recipes and activities extend the lessons for more at-home learning.

What’s Inside

The Strawberry Patch Lessons

Planning Chart for Strawberry Patch Activities.............................................................................................................................1

A: Getting to Know...Strawberries Hands-On Activities....................................................................................................... 2

1. “What’s This?” It’s “Berry” Mysterious.....................................................................................................................................2

2. Strawberries...A Look Inside.....................................................................................................................................................3

3. Strawberry Pizzas..............................................................................................................................................................................6

B: Strawberry...Where Do You Come From? Planting Activities..........................................................................................8

1. Strawberries Start as Seeds..........................................................................................................................................................8

2. Make a Pretend Strawberry Patch.........................................................................................................................................10

3. Plant a Strawberry Jar....................................................................................................................................................................12

C: Strawberry Stories and Songs..................................................................................................................................................14

1. Cool Puppy Pup’s Strawberry Lunch Party Video ........................................................................................................14

2. Reading Activity.................................................................................................................................................................................16

3. Old MacDonald Had a Farm, Strawberry Style .............................................................................................................18 

D: Introducing MyPlate Nutrition Education Activities........................................................................................................20

1. Meet Strawberry’s Fruity Friends............................................................................................................................................20

2. Serving Up...Strawberries..........................................................................................................................................................26

a. Strawberry Smoothie Recipe...............................................................................................................................................28

Growing at Home Materials 

Strawberry Growing at Home #1

1. Letter to Home #1 ........................................................................................................................................................................30

2. Chocolate Strawberries Recipe...............................................................................................................................................31

3. Color the Strawberries Activity...............................................................................................................................................32

Strawberry Growing at Home #2

1. Letter to Home #2 ........................................................................................................................................................................33

2. Pancakes with Strawberry Sauce Recipe............................................................................................................................34

3. Match the Strawberries Activity ..............................................................................................................................................35

Strawberry Growing at Home #3

1. Letter to Home #3 ........................................................................................................................................................................36

2. Strawberry Smoothie Recipe....................................................................................................................................................37

3. Strawberry Fun Badge Activity.................................................................................................................................................38
2

A Plan for Organizing the Strawberry Patch Activities

Check with local farms and farmers’ markets to find out when 

strawberries are in peak season. Strawberries are easy to pick and 

make a great farm field trip for preschoolers. If a farm is not nearby, 

have the children visit a produce stand or farmers’ market to see 

fresh strawberries.

The Strawberry Patch lesson plans are designed to be used in their 

entirety but if your center does not have the time, space, or resources 

to do all the activities, select those best suited to your center’s 

environment and available resources from Section A: hands-on 

activities, Section B: planting activities, Section C: strawberry stories 

and songs, and Section D: nutrition education activities. Be sure that 

the activities you choose help the children meet the objectives listed 

at the beginning of each lesson plan section. 

Here is one way to arrange the activities in your Strawberry Patch. 

Most activities require only 10-15 minutes; pick a few for each day. In 

this example, all of the activities from the lesson plans are completed, 

but spaced out over a 5-day period. Additionally, two activities from 

the Garden Art and Crafts Section in Booklet 1are added. 

These activities are fun and useful ways to help reinforce the 

objectives of each activity. On page 19, it gives tips for creating 

successful projects and ideas for harvesting fun month after month. 

The Garden Art and Crafts chart connects the art and crafts to the 

lesson activities.

Most activities 

require only 10-15 

minutes; pick a few 

for each day. In this 

example, all of the 

activities from the 

lesson plans are 

completed, but 

spaced out over a 

5-day period.
Strawberry Patch 1

Planning Chart for Strawberry Patch Activities

Day One Day Two Day Three Day Four Day Five

A1

What’s This? It’s 

“Berry” Mysterious 

Hands-on Activity

C1

Cool Puppy Pup Video

B1

Strawberries Start 

as Seeds Planting 

Activity

B2

Make a Pretend 

Strawberry Patch

Planting Activity

D1

Meet Strawberry’s 

Fruity Friends

Nutrition Education 

Activity

A2

Strawberries 

A Look Inside

Hands-on Activity

A3

Strawberry Pizzas 

Hands-on Activity

B3 

Plant a Strawberry 

Jar Planting Activity

C3 

Old MacDonald

Had a Farm Song,

Strawberry Style

D2

Serving Up...

Strawberries 

Nutrition Education 

Activity

Garden Craft 

Painted Pots

Finish Painted Pots or 

select another

Garden Art or Craft

C3

Old MacDonald

Had a Farm Song,

Strawberry Style

Garden Art 

Produce Placemat

Finish Art

Send Home 

Growing at Home 

Materials #1

C2

Reading Activity

Send Home 

Growing at Home 

Materials #2

C2

Reading Activity

Send Home 

Growing at Home 

Materials #3

Revisit the Farm: Rainy Day Fun All Year Long 

When the weather changes your outdoor plans, the activities from Tasty Acres Farm provide a welcome 

opportunity to revisit and remember all the fun and flavor of Grow It, Try It, Like It! Sing the songs, watch 

the video segments, and use the Garden Art and Crafts Section in Booklet 1 for ideas. Make a rainy day 

one to reconnect with these fruits and vegetables. 

More Ways To Grow – The Strawberry Patch unit can be included in other areas of the curriculum. 

Complementary themes include:

Foods – Fruits Shapes – Heart Colors – Red Seasons – Spring, Summer Body – Senses

Opposites – Inside & Outside Plants – Berry, Flower, Seed Alphabet – S Words
2 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Growing at Home Introduction Letter and Hand Washing and Polite 

Tasting Guidelines: Send a copy of these resources home before 

starting the first unit in Grow It, Try It, Like It! If you have already 

sent these resources home, you may omit this step. 

(See Booklet 1, Tool Shed Resources, pages 42-44.)

Strawberry Growing at Home #1: Send a copy of this resource 

home with each child at the start of Section A activities.

A1: “What’s This?” It’s “Berry” Mysterious 

Use the Mystery Box/Bag to create interest by having the 

children feel the outside of a strawberry before revealing the 

“mystery” item to all. 

Objectives

The children will be able to:

< Understand a strawberry is a lightweight, heart-shaped red 

fruit with a cap of green leaves;

< Describe the outside appearance and smell of a strawberry.

Before the Activity–Hand Washing and Polite Tasting

< Explain that we should always wash our hands before 

preparing and eating food. Have the children wash their 

hands (see Booklet 1, Tool Shed Resources, page 43, 

for directions).

< If this is the first activity involving food tasting, talk with the 

children about polite food tasting habits (see Booklet 1, Tool 

Shed Resources, page 44 for details).

Materials Needed

< Fresh strawberries with 

green leaves attached

< Napkins 

< Mystery Box/Bag 

< Paper and Pencil 

< Marble

What To Do Ahead of Time

< Wash, dry, and reserve at least 

one strawberry per child; keep 

berries out of sight.

< Put a clean strawberry in the 

Mystery Box/Bag.

< Make copies of Strawberry 

Growing at Home #1–one 

set per child.

< Review Make a Mystery Box 

or Bag, (see Booklet 1, Tool 

Shed Resources, page 45).

A. Getting to Know...Strawberries 

Hands-On Activities
Strawberry Patch 3

Activity Length: 

15 minutes

The Activity

< Introduce the Mystery Box/Bag, or reintroduce it if you have 

used it before. 

< One at a time, ask each child to come and feel inside without 

looking. If a child seems afraid, feel inside the box/bag with 

the child. 

< Ask each child to describe quietly to you what he/she feels. 

< After everyone has guessed, reveal the strawberry. Give each 

child a strawberry on a napkin to look at, touch, and smell.

< Note the children’s guesses that were close (round, a berry, 

food) or correct (strawberry).

< Talk about the strawberry. Ask the questions below and any 

other questions you like. 

▶ Is a strawberry a fruit or a vegetable? (Fruit) 

▶ What shape is it? (Shaped like a heart) 

▶ What color is the cap of leaves? (Green)

▶ How do the seeds on the outside of it feel? (Rough like 

sand in the sand box) 

▶ Does it have a smell? (May have no smell or smell sweet 

like a flower) 

▶ Is it light or heavy? (Light like a marble; let the children feel 

a marble) 

▶ Has anyone ever tasted a strawberry? (Yes or No)

Activity Conclusion–Tasting

< Conclude the lesson by inviting the children to taste the 

prepared strawberries. 

< As necessary, remind the children about polite tasting manners. 

Words To Grow

Fruit Heart

Light (weight) Rough

Seeds Sweet

Strawberry
4 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

A2: Strawberries...A Look Inside

Engage all the senses! The children see and feel the inside of a 

strawberry, then smell and taste it. 

Objectives

The children will be able to:

< Describe the appearance, smell, and taste of a strawberry;

< Tell that all of the strawberry can be eaten except the stem 

and leaves.

Before the Activity–Hand Washing

< Explain that we should always wash our hands before 

preparing and eating food. Have the children wash their hands 

Materials Needed (see Booklet 1, Tool Shed Resources, page 43, for directions).

< Strawberries, one for 

each child

< Sharp knife

< Cutting board or surface

< Paper plates and napkins

What To Do Ahead of Time

< Wash and gently dry the 

strawberries.

< Assemble supplies in a central 

area; keep the knife in a safe 

place until ready to use.
Strawberry Patch 5

Activity Length: 

10 minutes

Words To Grow

Red Smooth

Sweet Cool

Juicy

The Activity

< Have the children gather around the strawberries and cutting 

board. Review with the children how to be safe around sharp 

knives: Only adults use them, children keep their hands away, 

and do not touch sharp knives.

< Review what was learned about a strawberry in Activity 

A1. If you didn’t do Activity A1, tell the children you have a 

strawberry to share today.

< Tell the children because strawberries grow on the ground, 

we wash them well to remove soil and germs before we 

cut them. Tell the children you have already washed the 

strawberries.

< Cut a strawberry in half, place on a paper plate, and give 

to each child. Look at the inside of the strawberry with the 

children. Ask the questions below and any other questions 

you like.

▶ What color is the inside of the strawberry? (Red)

▶ What does the inside of the strawberry look like? (Red)

▶ How does the inside feel? (Cool and smooth)

▶ How do the strawberries smell? (Sweet)

Tasting Activity

< After exploring the strawberry, invite the children to taste it.

< Explain that all of the strawberry can be eaten except the 

stem and leaves. 

< Continue the activity, asking:

▶ How does the strawberry feel in their mouth? (Smooth 

and juicy, seed side may feel rough)

▶ How does the strawberry taste? (Sweet)
6 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

A3: Strawberry Pizzas

Children make a simple strawberry pizza snack and explore how 

strawberries feel, smell, and taste.

Objectives

The children will be able to:

< Make a simple snack with the strawberries;

< Taste a new food featuring strawberries.

Before the Activity–Hand Washing

< Explain that we should always wash our hands before 

preparing and eating food. Have the children wash their hands 

(see Booklet 1, Tool Shed Resources, page 43, for directions).

Materials Needed

< Graham cracker squares, 

one for each child

< Strawberry-flavored 

cream cheese

< Strawberry slices

< Paper plates and napkins 

What To Do Ahead of Time

< Spread cream cheese on 

graham cracker squares.

< Wash, remove the green 

leaves, and slice strawberries.
Strawberry Patch 7

The Activity

< Have each child seated at the table(s). 

< Explain that we always wash strawberries under running 

water before they are eaten. Tell the children you have 

already washed the strawberries.

< Give each child a paper plate with a cream cheese topped 

graham cracker. Let each child select several slices of 

strawberry with a spoon or fork.

< Show the children how to layer the strawberry slices on the 

cream cheese to make a pizza.

< As the children eat their strawberry pizzas, have them 

describe how the strawberry:

▶ Smells (sweet),

▶ Feels in the mouth (cool, smooth and somewhat crunchy 

because of the seeds), and

▶ Tastes (juicy and sweet).

Words To Grow

Slice Smooth

Sweet Cool

Juicy Crunchy

Activity Length: 

10 minutes
8 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Strawberry Growing at Home #2: Send a copy of this resource 

home with each child at the start of Section B activities. 

B1: Strawberries Start as Seeds

The children see and touch strawberry seeds and learn what 

seeds need to grow into plants. 

Objectives 

The children will be able to: 

< Describe how strawberries grow from a seed into a plant 

that produces strawberries; 

< Describe the resources needed to grow strawberries.

B. Strawberry...

Where Do You Come From? 

Planting Activities 

Materials Needed

< A packet of strawberry seeds 

or one fresh strawberry per 

child

< Clear plastic cup 

< Child-size magnifying glasses 

< Ruler

< Drawings of strawberries 

(see Booklet 1, Tool Shed 

Resources, pages 71-72)

< Strawberry jam and crackers 

for tasting 

What To Do Ahead of Time

< Prepare tasting supplies.

< Assemble materials.

< Make copies of Strawberry 

Growing at Home #2–one 

set per child.
Strawberry Patch 9

Activity Length: 

10 minutes

Words To Grow

Seeds Soil

Sun Water

Space Plants

Magnify

The Activity

< Tell the children that today they will learn about how 

strawberries grow. Show the children the strawberry seeds 

on the strawberry or in the packet. If using seeds from a 

packet, tell the children the seeds are just like the ones from 

the outside of the strawberry. Pass the seeds around in a 

clear plastic cup (strawberry seeds are little). 

< Let the children touch the seeds and look at them through 

the magnifying glass.

< Explain how the strawberry seeds grow in the soil. The sun 

and water help them grow into plants. Strawberry plants are 

planted at least 12 inches apart–check the back of the seed 

packet for variations in this spacing. Show this length with the 

ruler. 

< White flowers bloom on the stems of strawberry plants. 

Where the flowers bloom, strawberries will grow. Show 

drawings of strawberries on strawberry plants. Check the 

back of the seed packet for the length of growing time.

< Explain that strawberries are picked when they are plump, 

shiny, and bright red. Show drawing of ripe strawberries in 

a field.

< The farmer picks and sends ripe strawberries to a grocery 

store or a farmers’ market. That is where people buy 

strawberries and take them home to eat. Show drawing of 

strawberries at a farmers’ market. 

< Have the children wash their hands (see Booklet 1,Tool Shed 

Resources, page 43, for directions).

< Serve crackers with a small amount of strawberry jam. 

While eating, explain that since strawberries all become ripe 

at the same time of year, people have found ways to keep 

strawberries for use year around. One of those ways is to 

make jam from the strawberries. Ask the children how the 

jam is different from the fresh strawberries they have eaten.

Connection to Garden 

Art and Crafts

Strawberry Plant Produce

Placemat: Have the children 

add drawings of their favorite 

strawberry recipes. Laminate and 

use this placemat to review how 

strawberries grow and how we 

enjoy strawberries (see Booklet 

1, Garden Art and Crafts Section, 

page 29). 

Green Thumb Guide 

Read a book about how 

plants grow before starting 

the activity. See a Harvest of 

Books for ideas (see Booklet 1, 

Tool Shed Resources, page 50).
10 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

B2: Make a Pretend Strawberry Patch 

The children make a pretend strawberry patch and learn the 

parts of the plant. 

Note: If desired, make this a week-long activity. Day One, put up 

the plants; Day Two, add the blossoms to the plants; Day Three, 

add the buds to the plants; Day Four, put the small strawberries 

on the plants; and Day Five put the large ripe strawberries 

on the plants. Each day have the children notice how the 

strawberries are growing in size. ‘Harvest’ the strawberries from 

the plant at the end of the week.

Objectives 

The children will be able to: 

< Describe how strawberries grow from a seed into a plant 

that produces strawberries;

< Experience making a pretend strawberry patch.

Optional Activity: Visit a local strawberry farm during berry 

picking season. Pick strawberries with the children.

Materials Needed

< Brown piece of paper, about 

5 by 4 feet in size

< Strawberry Plant Parts 

Blackline Master (see Booklet 1, 

Tool Shed Resources, page 82)

< Drawings of strawberries 

(see Booklet 1, Tool Shed 

Resources, pages 71-72)

< Crayons, markers, or colored 

pencils (green, yellow, and red)

< Blunt tip scissors

< Glue, glue sticks, or doublestick tape

What To Do Ahead of Time

< Post the brown paper in an 

easy-to-reach place.

< Make one copy of the 

Strawberry Plant Parts 

Blackline Master for each child.

< Organize the supplies at 

the table(s).

< Plan to serve strawberry 

sauce (see Strawberry 

Sauce Recipe, page 34) or 

strawberries in some form at 

snack or mealtime (see Ten 

Terrific Ways...Booklet 1, 

Tool Shed Resources, 

page 48).
Strawberry Patch 11

Activity Length: 

15 minutes

The Activity

< Have each child seated at the table(s), near the supplies.

< Review with the children that strawberries grow from seeds 

planted in the ground. The seeds need the soil, rain, sun, and 

time to grow into a strawberry plant. 

< When the plant is big enough, flowers called blossoms grow 

on the plant. The blossoms fall away and buds grow where the 

flowers were. The strawberry buds grow into strawberries 

and start to turn from green to red. The strawberries are ripe 

and ready to pick when they are red and shiny from top to 

tip. The farmer picks and sends the strawberries to stores or 

farmers’ markets. That is where we buy strawberries to take 

home to eat. 

< Tell the children that each of them is going to make a 

pretend strawberry plant. Then the class is going to make a 

pretend strawberry patch with all the plants.

< Show the children drawing of strawberries. Ask the children 

to color the parts of the strawberry plant on their sheet 

just like the drawing. The leaves are green, the blossoms are 

yellow and white, the buds are green, the small unripe berries 

are red at the tip and white at the stem, and the large ripe 

strawberries are red. Help any children who need assistance. 

< Help the children cut out, or cut for them, the colored 

strawberry parts. As each part of the strawberry plant is 

glued or taped to the plant, talk about how the plant grows 

strawberries. Explain that plants can have each different 

part at the same time because a plant can make many 

strawberries.

< Glue or tape the plants on the brown paper to make a 

strawberry patch.

< Ask the children to wash their hands for snack or mealtime.

Activity Connection to Snack or Mealtime

While eating strawberry sauce (over pudding, yogurt, 

pancakes, or waffles) at snack or mealtime, talk about how 

the strawberries grow.

Words To Grow

Blossom Bud

Leaves Plant

Ripe Strawberry

Connection to Garden 

Art and Crafts

Garden Row Marker: Have 

the children create a row marker 

for strawberry plants. If they 

don’t have a garden they can use 

it as a yard decoration or give it 

as a gift to someone who has a 

garden (see Booklet 1, Garden 

Art and Crafts Section, page 33).
12 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

B3: Plant a Strawberry Jar 

The children plant strawberry starts in a container and find out 

what these small plants need to grow and produce strawberries. 

(See Booklet 1, Garden Art and Crafts Section, Painted Pots for 

great container decoration ideas, page 35.) 

 

Objectives 

The children will be able to: 

< Describe the resources needed to grow strawberries;

< Experience planting a strawberry start.

Materials Needed

< A strawberry jar (urn-shaped 

container with openings or 

pockets on sides) or 

< A container at least 8” deep 

and 8-10” in diameter

< Ever-bearing strawberry 

starts (small plants) 

< Potting soil

< Garden hose with sprinkler 

nozzle or watering can 

What To Do Ahead of Time

< Check local nurseries for 

varieties of ever-bearing 

strawberries suited to your 

growing zone.

< Assemble the pot, potting soil, 

and water source outside.

< Determine the best spot to 

place the pot; large pots filled 

with soil and plants are heavy 

to move.

< Plan to serve strawberries 

in some form at snack or 

mealtime (see Booklet 1, Tool 

Shed Resources, Ten Terrific 

Ways..., page 48).
Strawberry Patch 13

Activity Length: 

15 minutes

The Activity

< Take the children and the strawberry starts outside. Explain 

that today they will plant small strawberry plants or starts in 

a soil-filled container. 

< Point to the sun. Ask the children how the sunlight feels on 

their skin. (Warm) 

< Explain that the light and warmth of the sun helps strawberry 

plants grow large enough to produce strawberries.

< Show the children the potting soil. Let them touch the soil. 

Ask them how the soil feels. (Wet or dry, hard or soft) 

Explain that strawberry plants grow in soil. Have the children 

help scoop soil into the container. 

< Run some water from a hose or pour some from a container 

and let the children touch it. Ask how it feels. (Wet) Explain 

that water helps plants grow. Explain that water for plants 

usually comes as rain. Juicy foods like strawberry need lots 

of water so farmers’ and gardeners will use sprinklers or 

watering cans in addition to rain to make sure plants have 

plenty of water.

< Follow the planting tips for the variety of strawberries 

purchased. 

< For strawberry jar:

▶ Layer potting soil level to the first openings of the jar. 

Gently remove the plants from their pots and ease 

through the pocket opening. Spread the roots with care 

and cover with soil. Water enough to moisten soil but not 

drench. Continue, ending with 3 starts planted in the top 

center of the pot. Water the plants.

< For a container: 

▶ Fill the container 2/3 full of potting soil. Remove the start 

from its pot and gently loosen roots. Place the start in 

the center of a single container or 8 inches apart in larger 

containers. Cover with soil and water to moisten but 

not drench. 

< Planting Option: 

If space allows, plant strawberry starts in a sunny garden spot. 

Activity Connection to Snack or Mealtime

Talk about planting the strawberries while eating strawberries at 

snack or mealtime.

Green Thumb Guide 

(see Booklet 1, Tool Shed Resources, Green Thumb Guide, 

Container Gardens, page 55) 

Check with a local nursery for 

varieties of strawberries that 

thrive in your area. Ever-bearing 

strawberries produce berries all 

spring and summer. Ask for types 

that grow well in containers. For 

a strawberry pot, purchase one 

plant per pocket plus three for 

the top opening. Purchase one 

plant for a container 8-10” in 

diameter. For larger containers, 

allow 8 inches between plants. 

Strawberry plants in containers 

will live for one season. Strawberries planted in garden spots 

will return the next year. Birds 

love strawberries too! You may 

need to cover your plants with 

special net covers to prevent 

the birds from eating the berries 

before you do.
14 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

C1: Cool Puppy Pup’s Strawberry Lunch Party Video

View Cool Puppy Pup’s Strawberry Lunch Party segment 

with the children. Discuss the strawberry facts covered in this 

delightful video and have them try Cool Puppy Pup’s favorite 

way to eat a strawberry.

Objective

The children will be able to describe how strawberries are 

Materials Needed grown, harvested, and eaten.

< Cool Puppy Pup DVD 

< TV and DVD player

< Fresh strawberries, at least 

one per child

< Plates and napkins

What To Do Ahead of Time

< Cue the DVD to start at the 

Strawberry segment. 

< Wash and gently dry 

strawberries.

C. Strawberry 

Stories and Songs 
Strawberry Patch 15

Activity Length: 

15 minutes

The Activity

< Gather the children and watch the Strawberry segment of 

the video.

< After viewing the segment, ask the children to name their 

favorite parts of the video. Use their responses to lead into 

a discussion about the video. During the discussion, include 

the questions below to review Cool Puppy Pup’s main points 

from the video segment.

< In the video, did Cool Puppy Pup say:

▶ Strawberry was a fruit or a vegetable? (Fruit)

▶ What shape is strawberry? (Heart shape) 

▶ What color is the leaf cap on top? (Green)

▶ What color is the outside of a strawberry? (Red with 

seeds) 

▶ How do the seeds make it feel? (Rough)

▶ What color is the inside of strawberry? (Red)

▶ What does the inside of the strawberry feel like? 

(Smooth) 

< At Tasty Acres Farm, the farmer talked about how 

strawberries grow.

▶ Where do strawberries grow? (In the soil, on a farm) 

▶ Do strawberries grow on plants above or below the 

ground? (Above the ground)

▶ Are the plants close to or far from the ground? (Close)

▶ What do strawberries look like when they are ready to 

pick? (Plump, shiny, and bright red)

▶ Where are strawberries shipped after they are picked? 

(To stores and farmers’ markets)

< Have the children name some of the ways that strawberries 

can be eaten. (On waffles, in a salad, as a dessert, etc.)

< Have the children wash their hands (see Booklet 1, Tool Shed 

Resources, page 43 for directions).

< Conclude the activity by telling the children they are going to 

eat fresh strawberries, Cool Puppy Pup’s personal favorite way. 

< Serve the strawberries.

Connection to Garden 

Art and Crafts

Tasty Acres Mobile: Have 

the children make a mobile 

of fruit and vegetable images 

(see Booklet 1, Garden Art and 

Crafts Section, page 31).
16 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

C2: Reading Activity

Read story books to the children that are about or include the 

activities of growing and/or eating fruits and vegetables. Listening 

to such stories can encourage children to adopt positive 

behaviors that can last a lifetime, like trying new fruits and 

vegetables. 

Objective

Children will describe the fun and interesting stories about fruits 

and/or vegetables that were read to them.

Materials Needed 

< Books from a library or 

purchased books

< Space for the children to sit 

What To Do Ahead of Time

< Clear a space for the children 

to sit around you.

< Choose a book from the 

Harvest of Books list 

(see Booklet 1, Tool Shed 

Resources, page 50).

< Select a book you would like 

to read and either borrow it 

from a library or purchase it.

< Use books relevant to fruits 

and vegetables that may 

already be available to you.
Strawberry Patch 17

Activity Length: 

10 to 20 minutes 

depending on the 

length of the book

The Activity

< Have the children sit around you as you read them the book. 

< Ask the children to listen for the names of fruits and 

vegetables as the story is read.

Discussion Questions: 

< After reading the story, ask the children which fruits and 

vegetables were named in the story and what happened to 

them. For example, 

▶ Where were the fruits and vegetables grown? 

▶ What happened to the fruits and vegetables after they 

were picked?

▶ Who ate the fruits and vegetables? 

Add other questions that relate to the story. 
18 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

C3: Old MacDonald Had a Farm, Strawberry Style

The children sing about growing and eating strawberries and act 

out motions to this familiar tune. 

Objectives

The children will be able to:

< Sing and act out motions to familiar tune; 

< Say that being physically active helps us feel good. 

The Activity

< Lead the children in singing these new words to the tune 

“Old MacDonald Had a Farm” and demonstrate the 

suggested motions or make up new ones. 

< Encourage the children to move about as they are singing.

< Explain that skipping, wiggling, stretching, running, jumping, 

and playing actively every day helps us to feel good and stay 

healthy.

Materials Needed

< Strawberries lyrics to tune 

“Old MacDonald Had a Farm”

< Large space for the children 

to move about

What To Do Ahead of Time

< Become familiar with the 

words and motions of 

the song.

Activity Length: 

10 minutes
Strawberry Patch 19

1st Verse

Old MacDonald had a farm, EIEIO! (Skip in place)

On this farm he grew some strawberries, EIEIO! (Pretend to hoe ground around plants

With a plant, plant here and plant, plant there, using large, vigorous motions)

Here a plant, there a plant, everywhere (Pretend to hoe ground around plants 

a strawberry plant! using large, vigorous motions)

Old MacDonald had a farm, EIEIO! (Skip in place) 

2nd Verse

Old MacDonald had a farm, EIEIO! (Skip in place)

On this farm he grew some strawberries, EIEIO! (Pretend to carry a flat of strawberries)

With a berry, berry here and a berry, berry there, (Squat to the ground and pretend to point

Here a berry, there a berry, everywhere a strawberry at strawberries)

Old MacDonald had a farm, EIEIO! (Skip in place)

3rd Verse

Old MacDonald had a farm, EIEIO! (Skip in place)

On this farm he grew some strawberries, EIEIO! (Pretend to carry a flat of strawberries)

With a pick, pick here, and a pick, pick there, (Pretend to pick and carry strawberries)

Here a pick, there a pick, everywhere a strawberry pick

Old MacDonald had a farm, EIEIO! (Skip in place) 

 

4th Verse

Old MacDonald had a farm, EIEIO! (Skip in place)

On this farm he grew some strawberries, EIEIO! (Pretend to carry a flat of strawberries)

With a sweet bite here, and a sweet bite there, (Pretend to eat strawberries) 

Here a bite, there a bite, everywhere a strawberry bite. (Pretend to eat strawberries) 

Old MacDonald had a farm, EIEIO! (Skip in place)

Old MacDonald Had a Farm, 

Strawberry Style

The children sing about growing and eating strawberries and act out 

motions to this familiar tune. 
20 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Strawberry Growing at Home #3: Send a copy of this resource 

home with each child at the start of Section D activities.

D1: Meet Strawberry’s Fruity Friends

Introduce the children to the Eat Smart To Play Hard With 

MyPlate poster. The children find strawberries and other fruit in 

the Fruits group. They taste the difference between strawberries 

and raspberries. 

Objectives

The children will be able to: 

< Say that strawberries are found in the Fruits group

< Say that eating fruits like strawberries help keep us healthy; 

< Compare strawberries to raspberries;

< Say that being physically active every day helps us feel good 

and is fun;

< Say that eating foods from the different food groups each 

day helps us grow and be healthy; 

< Identify a food from each of the five foods groups.

Before the Activity–Hand Washing and Polite Tasting

< Explain that we should always wash our hands before 

preparing and eating food (see Booklet 1, Tool Shed 

Resources, page 43, for directions).

< If necessary, remind the children about polite food tasting 

habits (see Booklet 1, Tool Shed Resources, page 44 

for details). 

D. Introducing MyPlate

Nutrition Education Activities

Materials Needed

< Eat Smart To Play Hard 

With MyPlate poster (see 

Booklet 1) 

< Strawberries and raspberries 

(fresh or frozen), one per child

< Small cups and napkins

What To Do Ahead of Time

< Review the foods and 

activities depicted on 

the poster. 

< Display the poster. 

< Add a drawing or illustration 

of raspberries to the Fruits 

group of the poster.

< Wash and gently dry fresh 

berries or thaw frozen berries. 

< Place a strawberry and a 

raspberry into a small cup for 

each child.

< Make copies of MyPlate 

coloring page (new or use 

copies from previous D1 

Activity), one per child.

< Copy Strawberry Growing at 

Home #3–one set per child.
Strawberry Patch 21

Activity Length: 

25 minutes; 30 minutes 

if optional coloring 

activity conducted

The Activity

 Learning the Food Groups of MyPlate for Preschoolers

< Seat the children in a semicircle on the floor in view of the 

Eat Smart To Play Hard With MyPlate poster.

< Tell the children today they are going to learn about ways to 

be healthy and have fun every day. Tell the children that the 

best part is they like to do what helps them be healthy: they 

like to eat a variety of foods and they like to play.

< Point out the Eat Smart To Play Hard With MyPlate poster to 

the children. Ask the children to tell you what they see on 

the poster. Accept all correct answers, such as food, specific 

foods by name, children playing, and specific activities by 

name, etc.

< Explain that MyPlate shows the five food groups a person 

should eat from each day. Each food group has its own color. 

The Fruit Group is red, the Vegetable Group is green, the 

Grains Group is orange, the Dairy Group is blue, and the 

Protein Foods Group is purple. Eating foods from each food 

group helps us to be healthy and grow.

This activity continues on the following pages.
22 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

< Point to the orange band of color on the poster and ask the 

children to name the color (orange). Tell the children that 

foods made from grains are in the Grains group represented 

by the orange color band. Point to the bread and the cereal 

in the Grains group on the orange band of the poster and 

state that bread and cereal give us energy to play. Ask two 

children to come to the poster, point to a food in the orange 

section, and name the food. After each child names a food, 

repeat the name of the food, and state that __________ 

(the food named) and other foods from the Grains group also 

give us energy to play.

< Children this age may not know what a grain is. Tell them 

grains come from plants such as wheat, oats, and corn. Grains 

are used to make foods like cereal, bread, and pasta.

< Point to the green band of color on the poster and ask the 

children to name the color (green). Tell the children that 

foods from plants called vegetables are in the Vegetables 

group represented by the green color band. Point to the 

sweet potatoes in the Vegetables group on the green band of 

the poster and state that vegetables such as sweet potatoes 

and spinach help keep us healthy. Ask two children to come 

to the poster, point to a vegetable on the green section, and 

name the vegetable. After each child names a vegetable, 

repeat the name of the vegetable and state that __________ 

(the vegetable named) and other foods from the Vegetables 

group also help keep us healthy.

< Point to the red band and ask the children to name the color 

of the band (red). Tell the children that foods from plants 

called fruits are in the Fruits group represented by the red 

color band. Point to the peach and strawberry in the Fruits 

group on the red band of the poster and state that fruits 

such as peaches and strawberries help keep us healthy. Ask 

two children to come to the poster, point to a fruit in the 

red section, and name the fruit. After each child names a fruit, 

repeat the name of the fruit, and state that __________ (the 

fruit named) and other foods from the Fruits group help 

keep us healthy.

Grains

Vegetables

Fruits
Strawberry Patch 23

 

< Point to the blue band of color on the poster and ask the 

children to name the color (blue). Tell the children that 

milk and foods made from milk are in the Dairy group 

represented by the blue color band. Point to the milk and 

yogurt in the Dairy group on the blue band and state that 

milk and yogurt help us build strong bones. Tell the children 

that it is good to choose low-fat and fat-free milk, yogurt, and 

cheese when given a choice. Ask two children to come to 

the poster, point out a food in the blue section, and name the 

food. After each child names a food, repeat the name of the 

food, and state that __________(the food named) and other 

foods from the Dairy group also help us build strong bones.

 

< Point to the purple band of color on the poster and ask the 

children to name the color (purple). Tell the children that 

foods from animals and some plants are in the Protein Foods 

group represented by the purple color band. Point to the 

meat, fish, egg, beans and peanut butter in the Protein Foods 

group below the purple band and state that they help our 

muscles grow. Ask two children to come to the poster, point 

out a food in the purple section, and name the food. After 

each child names a food, repeat the name of the food, and 

state that __________ (the food named) and other foods 

from the Protein Foods group also help our muscles grow. 

(Note: if only foods that come from animals are selected, 

point out a food from plants and name it. If only foods from 

plants are selected, point out a food that comes from animals 

and name it.)

 

 Dairy

 Protein Foods
24 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Review Activity < While the children are still seated, point to each food group 

color band on the Eat Smart To Play Hard With MyPlate poster. 

< Ask the children to name the food group each color 

represents and to name a food from that group.

Tasting Activity < Show the children the fresh (or frozen, thawed) strawberry 

and raspberry. 

< Tell the children that raspberries are similar to strawberries, 

but different in shape. 

< Give each child a cup with samples of each berry to taste. 

Invite the children to feel and smell the different berries. 

Note both are juicy and taste sweet.

< Ask the children to name different ways to eat red fruits like 

strawberries or raspberries at different meals and snacks. 

Accept all answers such as on cereal, in fruit or vegetable 

salads, plain or with yogurt, etc.

 Be Active–Berry Bounce

Note to Caregiver: Active play and movement are important for 

every child’s growth and development. Although they may seem 

to be active and energetic, most children do not get the amount 

of physical activity they need for good health. Child care programs 

should provide opportunities for young children (2 to 6 years of age) 

to engage in 90 to 120 minutes (1 1⁄2 to 2 hours) of moderate to 

vigorous physical activity each day. 

Several short periods of activity (10-20 minutes each) work well 

for young children and are easy to plan into the day. Examples of 

moderate to vigorous physical activity that kids this age enjoy include: 

playing on outdoor play equipment, dancing to music, taking a nature 

(or garden) walk, relay races, movement games, hopping, skipping, 

galloping, and riding a tricycle or bicycle. For additional information on 

physical activity for young children, refer to the Nutrition and Wellness 

Tips for Young Children: Provider Handbook for the Child and Adult 

Care Food Program at http://teamnutrition.usda.gov/Resources/

nutritionandwellness.html. < Orange – Grains group < Green – Vegetables group < Red – Fruits group < Blue – Dairy group < Purple – Protein Foods group
Strawberry Patch 25 < Point to the various activities depicted on the Eat Smart To Play 

Hard With MyPlate poster. Ask the children to tell you why it is 

important to be physically active and play every day, i.e., it helps 

you to be strong and healthy, and is fun. Tell the children that 

today they will learn to be physically active in a way that reminds 

them of the strawberry and raspberry they just tasted.

< Ask the children to extend their arms out to the side and 

spread apart from each other so that no child is able to 

easily touch another child’s fingers. When children are spaced 

around the room, ask them to lower their arms and listen 

carefully. Ask the children to think about the strawberry and 

raspberry they just tasted. Ask the children to decide silently 

which berry they liked best today. Tell the children that after 

you count to 3, they will bounce in place like their favorite 

berry using one of two motions (demonstrate each motion).

< Strawberry: Place the arms, crossed at the wrists, on the top of 

the head with the hands extended out like little green leaf caps.

< Raspberry: Place each hand, palm side down, on the top of 

the opposite shoulder (right hand on left shoulder, left hand 

on right shoulder) with the arms crossed in front of the chest 

and elbow pointed out like little bumps on a raspberry.

< Give the children a few seconds to decide upon their favorite 

berry, then say, “1, 2, 3...bounce!”

< Have the children bounce in place for 1-2 minutes. < Conclude the activity by telling the children it is fun to eat 

berries and be physically active by doing a Berry Bounce. 

Optional Concluding Activity: Have the children sit at tables with 

coloring supplies. Distribute a copy of the MyPlate coloring page 

(see Booklet 1, Tool Shed Resources, page 83) to each child. Ask 

the children to color the Fruits group section of MyPlate red and 

draw and color a strawberry near it or use the Blackline Master 

of a strawberry (see Booklet 1, Tool Shed Resources, page 81) 

and have the children color the strawberry. With older children 

have them copy the dot-to-dot outline of the word “Fruits”. Ask 

the children to draw a favorite way they like to be physically 

active on the page. If desired, collect the sheet for use in future 

fruit and vegetable units in Grow It, Try It, Like It!
26 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

D2: Serving Up...Strawberries 

The children taste a new strawberry recipe and talk about 

different ways to eat strawberries.

Objectives

The children will be able to: 

< Taste strawberries in a combination food, Strawberry 

Smoothie;

< Describe many different ways to eat strawberries.

Option: Make the Strawberry Smoothie Recipe as part of 

the activity.

Before the Activity–Hand Washing and Polite Tasting

< Explain that we should always wash our hands before 

preparing and eating food. Have the children wash their 

hands (see Booklet 1, Tool Shed Resources, page 43, 

for directions).

< If necessary, remind the children about polite food tasting 

habits (see Booklet 1, Tool Shed Resources, page 44 

for details).

Materials Needed

< Blender

< Strawberry Smoothie Recipe 

–see the Child Care Center 

version of this recipe on 

page 28 

< Cups and napkins

What To Do Ahead of Time

< Prepare the recipe as close to 

activity time as possible. 

< Prepare table(s) to 

serve recipe.
Strawberry Patch 27

Activity Length: 

10-15 minutes

Words To Grow 

Smoothie Strawberry Sauce

Salad Celebration

The Activity

< Seat the children at the table(s). 

< Ask the children to share what they remember learning 

about strawberries. 

< Encourage responses such as how and where strawberries 

grow; how they look, feel, smell, and taste; and other material 

covered in the unit.

< Tell the children that the unit on strawberries ends with a 

celebration of a new way to eat strawberries, as part of a 

mixture of other foods. 

< Show the children the strawberry smoothie and talk about 

the other foods in the smoothie. If making the recipe as part 

of the activity, make it at this point.

< Serve the Strawberry Smoothie.

< While the children are enjoying the smoothie, ask:

▶ What strawberry recipes they have made with their 

parents?

▶ What different ways they have eaten strawberries? 

▶ What new ways do they think strawberries could be 

eaten?

< Give suggestions such as strawberries in salads, smoothies, 

toppings, desserts, in jams, on pancakes, waffles, and ice cream.
28 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Preparation Time: 5 minutes 

Yield: 8 child-size portions of 1⁄2-cup servings

Not able to apply as credit towards the CACFP meal pattern 

•	 1 1⁄2 cups frozen whole strawberries, unsweetened

•	 1 1⁄2 cups frozen sliced peaches

•	 1 1⁄2 cups low-fat or fat-free milk

•	 8 oz low-fat or fat-free vanilla yogurt

1. Place all ingredients into blender or food processor.

2. Cover and puree or blend until smooth.

3. Serve immediately.

Variations: Use low-fat or fat-free peach or strawberry flavored yogurt.

Consider adding orange juice to taste. Sugar is optional, sweeten to taste depending on the sweetness of the fruit.

Consider adding other fruits such as bananas, pineapple, mango, or blueberries.

Fresh fruit option–freeze chunks of peaches or washed, whole strawberries with green tops removed, on cookie 

sheets and transfer to plastic freezer bags to store in freezer. 

Canned fruit option–freeze drained canned peaches (packed in water or juice), in recipe amounts in plastic 

freezer bags; cut into smaller pieces if necessary.

Tip: Freeze leftover smoothie in freezer pop molds or in paper cups with wooden sticks or plastic spoons inserted 

in centers to create frozen treats.

Nutrients (using low-fat milk) per 1 child-size serving of 1⁄2 cup: Calories 102, Protein 3.2 g, Carbohydrate 21.5 g, Total Fat 0.8 g, Saturated Fat 0.5 g, Cholesterol 3 mg, Vitamin A 246 IU, Vitamin C 55.9 mg, Iron 0.4 mg, Calcium 103.4 

mg, Sodium 40 mg, Dietary Fiber 1.4 g 

Cooking with Children 

Young children can:

• Wash hands first

• Put frozen fruit in blender

• Help pour milk into blender

• Help spoon yogurt into blender

• Measure and add sugar to blender

Adults should operate blender and pour smoothie from blender into glasses.

For the Child and Adult Care Food Program

Strawberry Smoothie
Growing at Home Materials...

for The Strawberry Patch Lessons
30 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Dear Parents and Guardians:

We started a new, exciting unit today! We are learning about colorful fruits and vegetables. Strawberries from the Strawberry Patch are the featured fruit. Each day we 

will be learning baskets of facts about strawberries. We will share information with 

your family through Strawberry Growing at Home materials. 

Today your child learned how strawberries look, feel, taste, and smell. He/she learned 

that strawberries:

• Are red and shaped like hearts;

• Have “caps” made of green leaves;

• Feel rough on the outside and smooth on the inside;

• Are covered with small seeds; and

• Taste sweet and are good to eat.

Help your child continue learning at home. Together make the easy recipe for 

Chocolate Strawberries on the following page. Or, you may wish to make a family 

recipe with your child that includes strawberries. 

Enclosed with this note is an activity, Color the Strawberries. Your child will enjoy 

doing this activity with you. Your child will also enjoy trying new foods at home with 

you! Tasting strawberries at home and at child care helps your child grow healthful 

eating habits for a healthy future.

Please call if you have questions about this activity or want more information.

Sincerely,

Child Care Center Director

Strawberry Growing at Home #1 

Home Activities From Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Tip:

 Try freezing chunks of fresh fruit 

for a refreshing summer snack. 

Thaw fruit enough to nibble on 

a piece. Or whirl it in a blender 

with low-fat or fat-free yogurt for 

a super smoothie.
Strawberry Patch 31

Chocolate 

Strawberries

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Serves: 14 child-size portions of 1 strawberry 

Serves: 7 adult-size portions of 2 strawberries

•	 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

•	 1-2 tsp low-fat or fat-free milk, if needed to thin melted chocolate

•	 1 pint fresh strawberries with leaves (about 14 medium berries)

1. Wash and gently dry strawberries thoroughly with paper towels. Leave stem and leaves on berries. 

Do not dip any berries with wet, damaged, or cut surfaces. Berries must be free of moisture or they will 

cause the chocolate to ‘weep.’

2. In microwave-safe bowl, heat the chocolate chips for 1-2 minutes at medium high heat until just melted; 

stir every 30 seconds of heating time until smooth. Add low-fat or fat-free milk as necessary to thin 

chocolate to dipping consistency. 

3. Hold each strawberry by stem; dip one at a time in melted chocolate, about three-quarters of the way 

to stem. Allow chocolate to drip back into bowl. 

4. Place each strawberry on wax-paper-lined pan. If day is humid, refrigerate strawberries for 10 minutes 

to harden chocolate, then return to room temperature. Storing dipped berries in refrigerator will cause 

berries to release moisture when returned to room temperature for serving. 

For best quality, serve within a few hours of dipping as chocolate strawberries are very perishable.

Option: Purchase commercial dipping chocolate and follow label instructions.

Variation: Dip dried fruits such as apricots, pears, or pineapple in melted chocolate.

Nutrients (using low-fat milk) per 1 child-size portion of 1 strawberry: Calories 62, Protein 0.7 g, 

Carbohydrate 8.9 g, Total Fat 3.5 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Vitamin A 7 IU, Vitamin C 13 mg, Iron 0.44 mg, 

Calcium 10 mg, Sodium 2 mg, Dietary Fiber 1.1g

Home Activities From Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Strawberry Growing at Home 

Cooking with Children 

Young children can:

• Wash hands first

• Measure chocolate chips

• Help wash and gently dry strawberries

• Dip a berry with adult assistance

• Help arrange hardened chocolate strawberries on serving plate

Adults should check temperature of chocolate to make sure it won’t burn child 

dipping strawberries.
32 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Color the Strawberries

Dear Parents and Guardians: 

Your child has been learning about how strawberries look and feel. Have your child color the strawberries pictured below with a red crayon, marker, 

or finger paint. The leaves can be colored with 

green. Help your child use a black marker, crayon, 

or paint to make the seeds on the strawberries. 
Strawberry Patch 33

Strawberry Growing at Home #2 

Home Activities From Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Tip: 

Make a cold soup by blending 3 cups of 

strawberries or cantaloupe with 1 cup of 

100% orange juice and 2 tablespoons sugar 

in a blender until smooth. Serve like a soup 

with a dollop of low-fat or fat-free vanilla 

yogurt and a berry garnish.

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Strawberries are very interesting! Strawberry plants are easy to grow in containers 

or in the garden. Bursting with flavor, what is better than a delicious strawberry? Your 

child might say the only things better than a strawberry are all the strawberry activities 

we do throughout the day.

Today your child learned how strawberries are grown and harvested. He/she learned 

that strawberries:

• Start from strawberry seeds or small strawberry plants;

• Need soil, sun, water, and time to grow;

• Grow on plants above the ground; and

• Are ready to be picked when they are plump, shiny, and bright red. 

Your child will be thrilled to help you make Pancakes with Strawberry Sauce.

The recipe is on the following page. Or, top a favorite family recipe for pudding or 

waffles with the easy to prepare Strawberry Sauce. 

Match the Strawberries is an engaging activity we’ve enclosed with this note. While 

you help your child do this activity at home, talk about foods to try with Strawberry 

Sauce. Your child will enjoy talking about food choices with you. He/she may even 

surprise you with new ideas to try. Trying favorite foods in new ways helps develop 

your child’s willingness to try new and different foods at child care and at home!

Please call if you have questions about this activity or want more information.

Sincerely,

Child Care Center Director
34 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Cooking with Children 

Young children can:

• Wash hands first

• Help mix the dry ingredients

• Pour sauce over pancakes using scoop or measuring cup

Adults should add the egg mixture to the flour mixture, pour the batter onto the skillet or griddle, 

and do all steps involving the stove. 

Pancakes With 

Strawberry Sauce

Preparation Time: 8 minutes Cooking Time: 12 minutes

Serves: 8 child-size portions of 1-4” pancake with 3 tablespoons of strawberry sauce

Serves: 4 adult-size portions of 2-4” pancakes with 6 tablespoons of strawberry sauce

Sauce 

Tip: refrigerate overnight to thaw 1-16-oz package frozen sweetened, sliced strawberries, thawed (don’t drain)

Pancakes

•	 3/4 cup whole-wheat flour

•	 3/4 cup enriched all-purpose flour

•	 2 tsp baking powder

•	 1/2 tsp salt

1. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in large bowl.

2. Combine eggs, low-fat or fat-free milk, and vegetable oil until mixed thoroughly in a small bowl. 

3. Add egg mixture to flour mixture. Mix only until ingredients are combined, about 1 minute; batter will be 

slightly lumpy.

4. Heat skillet or griddle coated with nonstick cooking spray over medium-high heat until a few drops of 

water sprinkled on surface bounce and splatter.

5. Pour 1/3 cup of batter for each pancake.

6. Cook until surface of the pancake is covered with bubbles, the edges begin to dry, and bottom side is 

lightly brown, approximately 2 minutes. Turn and cook until lightly brown on other side, approximately

1 minute.

7. Spoon strawberry sauce over warm pancakes and serve.

Variation: Use 1 1⁄2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour instead of the whole-wheat and all-purpose flours. 

Try other whole-grain flours such as buckwheat, amaranth, or millet flours mixed with all-purpose flour. 

Use store-bought pancake or waffle mix, if desired.

Tip: Serve strawberry sauce over homemade or store-bought waffles or French toast; low-fat or fat-free 

vanilla pudding, yogurt or ice cream; cubes of angel food or plain cake; or over your favorite rice or bread 

pudding recipe.

Nutrients (using low-fat milk) per 1child-size portion of 1 - 4” pancake with 3 tablespoons of 

strawberry sauce: Calories 188, Protein 6 g, Carbohydrate 35.3 g, Total Fat 3.7 g, Saturated Fat 0.8 g, Cholesterol 54 

mg, Vitamin A 155 IU, Vitamin C 23.8 mg, Iron 1.64 mg, Calcium 123mg, Sodium 303 mg, Dietary Fiber 2.8 g

•	 1 Tbsp granulated sugar

•	 2 large eggs

•	 1 cup low-fat or fat-free milk

•	 2 Tbsp canola oil

•	 Nonstick cooking spray

Home Activities From Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Strawberry Growing at Home 
Strawberry Patch 35

Match the Strawberries

Dear Parents and Guardians: 

Your child has been learning what strawberries look 

like. Ask your child to look closely at the berries on 

this page. Have your child find the two pictures of 

strawberries that look alike. Ask your child to put 

a circle around the identical strawberries and draw 

a line from one match to the other. Talk about what 

makes these two pictures the same. What makes 

the other pictures of strawberries different?
36 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Strawberry Growing at Home #3 

Home Activities From Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Our unit on strawberries concluded with us celebrating the many ways to prepare 

and serve this flavorful fruit. Ask your child to tell you some of the ways he/she likes 

strawberries best. We talked about strawberries: 

• Used in smoothies;

• Served in salads;

• Used in desserts and jams; and

• Served on pancakes and waffles.

Make a date with your child to blend up a batch of Strawberry Smoothie. The 

recipe is on the following page. Or, have your child help you choose a family recipe 

that includes strawberries. 

Strawberry Fun Badges (attached) is a home activity to do with your child. Talk 

with your child about strawberries as he/she does the activity. Remember all the 

different ways that your family enjoys eating these juicy fruits. Spend time together 

exploring fruits such as strawberries. Doing so might encourage your child to continue 

tasting and enjoying new foods.

Please continue to offer strawberries at home. While it is time for our unit to end, 

sensational strawberries are something to enjoy year round, fresh or frozen!

Sincerely,

Child Care Center Director

Tip: 

Can’t finish a full blender of smoothie? 

Make your own smoothie frozen pops by 

filling small paper cups with the tasty treat. 

Cover with foil that has a small slit in the 

center. Insert a plastic spoon or wooden 

stick into the slit and freeze. When frozen, peel away the foil and paper cup for a 

yummy fruity treat.
Strawberry Patch 37

Preparation Time: 5 minutes 

Serves: 8 child-size portions of 1⁄2-cup

•	 1 1⁄2 cups frozen whole strawberries, unsweetened

•	 1 1⁄2 cups frozen sliced peaches

•	 1 1⁄2 cups low-fat or fat-free milk

•	 8 oz low-fat or fat-free vanilla yogurt

1. Place all ingredients into blender or food processor.

2. Cover and puree or blend until smooth.

3. Serve immediately.

Variations: Use low-fat or fat-free peach or strawberry flavored yogurt.

Consider adding orange juice to taste. Sugar is optional, sweeten to taste depending on the sweetness of the fruit.

Consider adding other fruits such as bananas, pineapple, mango, or blueberries.

Fresh fruit option–freeze chunks of peaches or washed, whole strawberries with green tops 

removed, on cookie sheets and transfer to plastic freezer bags to store in freezer. 

Canned fruit option–freeze drained canned peaches (packed in water or juice), in recipe amounts in plastic 

freezer bags; cut into smaller pieces if necessary.

Tip: Freeze leftover smoothie in freezer pop molds or in paper cups with wooden sticks or plastic spoons inserted 

in centers to create frozen treats.

Nutrients (using low-fat milk) per 1 child-size serving of 1/2 cup: Calories 102, Protein 3.2 g, Carbohydrate 

21.5 g, Total Fat 0.8 g, Saturated Fat 0.5 g, Cholesterol 3 mg, Vitamin A 246 IU, Vitamin C 55.9 mg, Iron 0.4 mg, Calcium 103.4 mg, 

Sodium 40 mg, Dietary Fiber 1.4 g 

Strawberry Smoothie

Cooking with Children 

Young children can:

• Wash hands first

• Put frozen fruit in blender

• Help pour milk into blender

• Help spoon yogurt into blender

• Measure and add sugar to blender

Adults should operate blender and pour smoothie from blender into glasses.

Home Activities From Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Strawberry Growing at Home 
38 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Strawberry Fun Badge

Dear Parents and Guardians: 

Help your child make their own ‘berry’ special 

badge. Have your child color the badges with 

crayons, paint, or markers. Help your child glue 

the pictures to a piece of thin cardboard such as 

an empty cereal box or file folder. When dry, cut 

out each badge and trim the cardboard around the 

badge. Place a piece of double-stick tape on the 

back of the badge and attach to clothing. Or punch 

a hole in the top and thread string or yarn through 

to make a necklace. 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal and, where applicable, political 

beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or if all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public 

assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the 

Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)

If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, 

found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the 

form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or 

letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities and wish to file either an EEO or program complaint please contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish).

Persons with disabilities who wish to file a program complaint, please see information above on how to contact us by mail directly 

or by email. If you require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) 

please contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Revised June 2013

September 2009

FNS-406

United States Department of Agriculture • Food and Nutrition Service 

Find more fun resources at these Web sites:

teamnutrition.usda.gov

choosemyplate.gov