Cantaloupe Corner

Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Preschool Fun With Fruits and Vegetables

Booklet 5
Welcome to...

Cantaloupe Corner at Tasty Acres Farm! 

Cantaloupe Corner is home to vine ripened, sweet juicy cantaloupe. Tasty Acres Farm grows the best 

cantaloupe activities for a country mile. Children learn about cantaloupe through hands-on activities. 

They experience how a cantaloupe looks, feels, tastes, and smells. Cantaloupe Corner connects the 

cantaloupes grown on the farm to the fruit in the store or farmers’ market. The children can’t resist 

the cantaloupe tasting activities from plain wedges to soup to salad. Growing at Home materials create 

review options for the daily Cantaloupe Corner activities.

What’s Inside

Cantaloupe Corner Lessons

Planning Chart for Cantaloupe Corner Activities......................................................................................................................1

A: Can You Tell Me About Cantaloupe? Hands-On Activities.............................................................................................. 2

1. Can You Tell What’s Hiding?.........................................................................................................................................................2

2. Cantaloupe...A Look Inside.......................................................................................................................................................4

3. Cantaloupe Shapes..........................................................................................................................................................................6

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

1. Cantaloupe Start as Seeds...........................................................................................................................................................8

2. Plant a Cantaloupe Seed............................................................................................................................................................10

3. Plant a Seed or Start Outside ................................................................................................................................................12

C: Cantaloupe Stories and Songs................................................................................................................................................. 14

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

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

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

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

1. Meet Cantaloupe’s Melon Friends.......................................................................................................................................20

2. Can’t Resist Cantaloupe.............................................................................................................................................................26

a. Cantaloupe Fruit Salad Recipe..........................................................................................................................................28

Growing at Home Materials 

Cantaloupe Growing at Home #1

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

2. Cantaloupe Melon Kabobs Recipe ......................................................................................................................................31

3. What Do Cantaloupe Look Like? Activity.......................................................................................................................32

Cantaloupe Growing at Home #2

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

2. Cantaloupe Soup Recipe...........................................................................................................................................................34

3. Story of How a Cantaloupe Grows Activity..................................................................................................................35

Cantaloupe Growing at Home #3

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

2. Cantaloupe Fruit Salad Recipe...............................................................................................................................................37

3. Cantaloupe Cuisine–New Ideas for Enjoying Cantaloupe Activity...................................................................38
2

A Plan for Organizing the Cantaloupe Corner Activities

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

cantaloupes are in peak season. Cantaloupes are interesting and seeing 

cantaloupes growing makes a great farm field trip for preschoolers. If 

a farm is not nearby, visit a produce stand or farmers’ market to see 

fresh cantaloupe.

The Cantaloupe Corner 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 the activities best suited to your center’s 

environment and available resources from Section A: hands-on 

activities, Section B: planting activities, Section C: cantaloupe 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 Cantaloupe Corner. 

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 1 are 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.
Cantaloupe Corner 1

Planning Chart for Cantaloupe Corner Activities

Day One Day Two Day Three Day Four Day Five

A1

Can You Tell 

What’s Hiding?

Hands-on Activity

A3

Cantaloupe Shapes 

Hands-on Activity

C1

Cool Puppy Pup video

B3

Plant a Seed or Start 

Outside Planting 

Activity

D1

Meet Cantaloupe’s 

Melon Friends

Nutrition Education 

Activity

A2

Cantaloupe...

A Look Inside Hands-on 

Activity

C3 

Old MacDonald Had a 

Farm Song, Cantaloupe 

Style

B2

Plant a Cantaloupe 

Seed Planting Activity

C2

Reading Activity

D2

Can’t Resist Cantaloupe

Nutrition Education 

Activity

Garden Craft 

Row Markers B1

Cantaloupe 

Start as Seeds

Planting Activity

Garden Craft

Seed Art

Garden Art 

Decorated Bags C3

Old MacDonald 

Had a Farm Song

Cantaloupe Style

Send Home 

Growing at Home 

Materials #1 

Send Home 

Growing at Home 

Materials #2

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 1for ideas. Make a rainy day 

one to reconnect with these fruits and vegetables. 

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

Complementary themes include:

Foods – Fruits Shapes – Round Colors – Orange Seasons – Summer Body – Senses

Opposites – Inside & Outside Plants – Vines, Melons Alphabet – C 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, page 42-44.)

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

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

A1: Can You Tell What’s Hiding?

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

children feel the outside of a cantaloupe before revealing the 

“mystery” item to all. 

Objectives

The children will be able to: 

< Identify a cantaloupe as a heavy, round fruit;

< Describe the outside appearance and smell of cantaloupe.

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

< Two cantaloupes, both well 

scrubbed, one whole and 

one cut into bite-size pieces

< Forks and napkins

< Mystery Box/Bag 

< Paper and Pencil 

< Basketball (optional) 

What To Do Ahead of Time

< Wash cantaloupe; prepare 

bite size pieces.

< Put a well-scrubbed whole 

cantaloupe in the Mystery 

Box/Bag. 

< Make copies of Cantaloupe 

Growing at Home #1–one 

set per child.

< Review Make a Mystery Box 

or Bag (see Booklet 1, Tool 

Shed Resources, page 45).

A. Can You Tell Me 

About Cantaloupe?

Hands-On Activities 
Cantaloupe Corner 3

Activity Length: 

15 minutes

Words To Grow

Fruit Heavy (weight)

Round Tan

Rough Sweet

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 cantaloupe. Let each 

child hold the cantaloupe, if desired.

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

food) or correct (cantaloupe).

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

other questions you like. 

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

▶ What shape is it? (Round like a ball) 

▶ What color is the outside of the cantaloupe? (Tan like the 

color of sand) 

▶ How does the outside of it feel? (Rough like a basketball – 

let children feel the basketball, if available) 

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

like a flower)

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

Activity Conclusion–Tasting

< Conclude the lesson by offering the children a piece of 

cantaloupe to taste. 

< Let each child take a piece with a fork. 

< As necessary, remind children how the group follows polite 

tasting manners. 

Connection to Garden 

Art and Crafts

Garden Bookmark: 

The children make cantaloupe 

decorated Garden Bookmarks 

by gluing cantaloupe seeds in a 

design on the bookmark (see 

Booklet 1, Garden Art and 

Crafts Section, page 28). 
4 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Materials Needed

< Cantaloupe (can be the one 

used in Activity A1)

< Sharp knife

< Cutting board 

< Spoon and container to hold 

removed seeds

< Damp cloth and dry towel 

for wiping and drying hands 

< Paper plates and napkins

What To Do Ahead of Time

< Scrub the outside of the 

cantaloupe well.

< Assemble supplies in a central 

area; keep the knife in a safe 

place until ready to use.

Activity Length: 

15 minutes

A2: Cantaloupe...A Look Inside

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

cantaloupe, then smell and taste it. 

Objectives

The children will be able to: 

< Describe the appearance, smell, and taste of cantaloupe;

< Tell that the orange flesh of a cantaloupe can be eaten, but 

not the rind or seeds.

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).

The Activity

< Have the children gather around the area with the 

cantaloupe and cutting board. Review with children how to 

be safe around sharp knives: only adults use them, children 

keep their hands away, and do not touch sharp knives. 

< Review with the children what they learned about 

cantaloupe in Activity A1. If you didn’t do Activity A1, tell the 

children you have a cantaloupe to share today. 

< Tell the children cantaloupes grow on the ground. We have 

to wash the outside very well to remove soil and germs 

before we cut it open. Tell them you have already washed the 

cantaloupe. 

< Cut the cantaloupe in half to reveal the inside. Have paper 

towel handy to wipe up extra juices. Using the spoon, scoop 

the center strings and seeds into a bowl and set aside. 

Let the children know they will get to touch the seeds a 

little later. 
Cantaloupe Corner 5

Activity continued ...

< Cut a section of cantaloupe into small wedges with the 

rind intact. Give each child a small wedge of cantaloupe for 

individual exploration.

< Talk with the children about the inside of the cantaloupe. 

Lead the children through the questions below and ask 

additional questions if you like.

▶ What colors are on the inside of the cantaloupe? 

(Orange, green, white) 

▶ What does the inside of the cantaloupe look like? 

(Seeds, slippery string-like fibers, and the orange flesh of 

the cantaloupe) 

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

▶ How does the cantaloupe smell? (Sweet) 

Tasting Activity

< Invite children to taste the cantaloupe. Remind them not to 

eat the rind. 

< Continue the activity, asking:

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

and juicy)

▶ How does the cantaloupe taste? (Sweet)

< After everyone has sampled their own cantaloupe wedge, 

invite the children to come to the bowl and feel the stringlike fibers and seeds, from the inside of the cantaloupe.

▶ How do the seeds and string-like fibers feel? (Wet and 

Slippery) 

< After the children have felt the seeds and strings, have them 

wash their hands (see Booklet 1, Tool Shed Resources, page 

43, for directions). 

Words To Grow

Seeds 

Strings

Slippery 

Cool 

Smooth 

Juicy

Orange 

White

Green

Tips: If desired, save the seeds 

for use in activity B1 or in the 

Seed Art or Garden Bookmark 

Activity in the Garden Art and 

Crafts Section. A packet of 

seeds is needed for planting 

and growing plants to produce 

more cantaloupes in activities 

B2 and B3. Otherwise, discard 

the strings and seeds, rinds, and 

any pieces of cantaloupe that 

have been touched. 

Cover and refrigerate any 

remaining untouched cantaloupe 

for use in future activities or 

snacks in the next day or two.
6 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

A3: Cantaloupe Shapes 

The children use cookie cutters to make shapes from 

cantaloupe. They explore the feel, smell, and taste of cantaloupe.

Objective

The children will be able to make a simple snack with 

cantaloupe. 

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).

The Activity

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

< Explain we always scrub the rind of a cantaloupe under 

running water before we cut it. Let the children know you 

have already washed the cantaloupe. 

< Give each child a paper plate with at least two thin slices of 

cantaloupe. Let each child select a small cookie cutter(s). 

< Show the children how to press the cookie cutter into the 

flesh of the cantaloupe. 

< Assist any children needing help. 

< Use the cookie cutters to make shapes from the 

cantaloupe slices. 

Activity Conclusion–Tasting

< After making the cantaloupe shapes, enjoy eating this snack. 

< As the children eat, ask them to describe how the 

cantaloupe: 

▶ Smells (sweet), 

▶ Feels in the mouth (cool, smooth and slippery); and 

▶ Tastes (juicy and sweet).

Materials Needed

< Cantaloupe cut into 

thin slices 

< Small cookie cutters 

(triangles, circles, squares, 

alphabet shapes) 

< Paper plates and napkins 

What To Do Ahead of Time

< Scrub the outside of the 

cantaloupe well. 

< Cut the cantaloupe into the 

largest slices possible by 

following the slicing tips in 

How to Slice a Cantaloupe 

for Activity A3 Cantaloupe 

Shapes. page 7.

< Refrigerate the remaining 

cantaloupe pieces to make 

Cantaloupe Soup for a tasting 

opportunity, such as 

Activity B2.

< Prepare a plate with two or 

more cantaloupe slices.

Activity Length: 

10-15 minutes
Cantaloupe Corner 7

How To Slice a Cantaloupe for Activity A3 Cantaloupe Shapes

Step 1: Prepare the cantaloupe – 

thoroughly scrub the outside of 

the cantaloupe with a vegetable 

brush.

Step 2: Cut the rind from the stem 

end and blossom end of the cantaloupe, creating two flat surfaces.

Step 3: Place the cantaloupe on 

one flat, sliced end so that the 

rind of the cantaloupe can be 

trimmed easily from the orange 

flesh of the whole cantaloupe.

Step 4: Remove all of the rind from the 

cantaloupe by cutting down along the 

curve of the fruit. Be careful to trim as 

little orange flesh with the rind as possible; as necessary trim any green from 

the cantaloupe.

Step 6: Use a small spoon to 

scoop and remove the seeds–a 

grapefruit spoon works well–and 

discard seeds.

Step 7: Slice thin sheets of cantaloupe from the side opposite of 

the first slices. Slice thin sheets of 

cantaloupe from the two remaining 

edges, stopping each time when 

the center is reached.

Step 8: Refrigerate the remaining 

center section and any trimmings or 

small pieces of cantaloupe to make 

Cantaloupe Soup in Activity A4.

Step 5: Slice thin sheets of 

cantaloupe from an outer edge 

to the center until the hollow 

center with seeds is revealed.
8 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

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

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

B1: Cantaloupe Start as Seeds

The children see and touch cantaloupe seeds and learn how far 

apart to plant seeds. 

Objectives 

The children will be able to: 

< Describe how cantaloupe grow from a seed into a plant that 

produces cantaloupe;

< Describe the resources needed to grow cantaloupe.

Materials Needed

< Dried cantaloupe seeds (clean 

and dry from Activity A) or a 

packet of cantaloupe seeds 

< Yardstick

< Drawings of cantaloupe 

(see Booklet 1, Tool Shed 

Resources, pages 67-68)

< Cantaloupe for tasting 

< Melon ball kitchen tool

< Forks and napkins

What To Do Ahead of Time

< Prepare cantaloupe balls 

for tasting.

< Assemble materials.

< Make copies of Cantaloupe 

Growing at Home #2–one 

set per child.

B. Cantaloupe...

Where Do You Come From?

Planting Activities
Cantaloupe Corner 9

Words To Grow

Seeds Soil

Sun Water

Space Plants

The Activity

< Tell the children they will learn about how cantaloupes grow. 

Show the children the cantaloupe seeds. If you are using 

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

the ones from the inside of the cantaloupe. People buy 

packages of seeds to grow cantaloupes in gardens. 

< Pass the seeds around. Let the children touch and count 

the seeds. 

< Explain that the cantaloupe seeds are planted in the soil at 

least 3 feet apart. Cantaloupe plants need enough room 

to spread out when they grow. Have two children hold the 

yardstick between them to show a 3-foot length. Or have a 

child whom is at least 36” tall lie down between two children 

to show the distance. 

< Explain that the cantaloupe seeds are planted in the soil 

in the spring. The sun and rain help them grow into long 

vines above the ground. Yellow flowers bloom on the vines. 

Where the flowers bloomed on the vine, cantaloupe fruits 

will grow during the summer. 

< Explain that the cantaloupe is picked when the skin becomes 

tan in color. Show drawing of a ripe cantaloupe in a field (see 

the Tool Shed Resources, page 67). 

< Explain that ripe cantaloupes are picked and taken to a 

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

cantaloupes and take them home to eat. Show drawing of 

cantaloupes in the grocery store (see Booklet 1, Tool Shed 

Resources, page 68).

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

Resources, page 43).

< Offer cantaloupe balls for tasting. Note that the balls are the 

same shape as the cantaloupe (round). 

Connection to Garden 

Art and Crafts

Garden Scene Note Cards: 

Children make a Garden Scenes 

Note Card featuring drawings 

of cantaloupe for parents or 

grandparents telling them what 

was learned today (see Booklet 

1, Garden Art and Crafts Section, page 30).

Activity Length: 

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

B2: Plant a Cantaloupe Seed 

The children plant cantaloupe seeds in soil and learn what the 

seeds need to grow. 

Objectives 

The children will be able to: 

< Describe the resources needed to grow cantaloupe;

< Experience planting cantaloupe seeds. 

Optional Activity: Grow a Seedling in a Bag (see Booklet 1, Tool 

Shed Resources, page 52) Display this visual in the classroom. 

Check daily for progress and compare to the growth of the 

children’s plants.

Materials Needed

< Packets of cantaloupe seeds 

< Paper cups, 5 to 6 ounces in size

< Potting mix or soil 

< Water in a small spray bottle 

< Plastic spoons 

< Unsharpened pencils, with a 

line marking 1/2 inch 

< Waterproof pens or markers 

< Wooden sticks for plant 

markers (one per child),

< Table covers and smocks for 

the children, if desired

< Space with sunlight and/or 

fluorescent lights

What To Do Ahead of Time

< Prepare potting mix or soil. 

< Divide prepared soil into 

containers, one for every 

three children. 

< Write Cantaloupe on the 

wooden stick plant marker. 

< At the table(s), place a small 

paper cup, three seeds, and a 

plastic spoon per child. 

< Plan to serve Cantaloupe 

Soup at snack or mealtime 

(see Cantaloupe Growing at 

Home Recipe, page 34).
Cantaloupe Corner 11

 The Activity

< Help each child write his/her name on a cup. 

< During the activity, help the children:

▶ Fill their cups about 3⁄4 full with moist potting soil. 

▶ Gently tap the sides and bottom of their container with 

their index finger to settle but not pack the soil. 

▶ Poke three holes in the soil spaced around the cup. 

Use the marked unsharpened pencil to make holes 

1/2 inch deep.

▶ Place a seed in each hole and gently cover the seeds 

with soil. 

▶ Lightly spray water over the top of the soil. Help any 

children needing assistance.

▶ Stick wooden plant markers in the soil close to the inside 

curve of the cup.

< During the activity, tell the children:

▶ The seeds will grow in the potting soil as plants grow in 

the soil outside.

▶ The seeds need soil, water, light, and warmth to grow 

into plants.

▶ Inside, we can use lights to give plants warmth and light, 

just as the sun helps outside plants grow.

▶ The seeds will grow first into very small plants (seedlings or 

starts), then into larger plants. These larger plants, if planted 

outside in a garden, will continue to grow with sunlight and 

water. Cantaloupe will grow on the larger plants.

< Have the children set their cups in a sunny spot or 

under lights. 

< Have the children check their cups weekly to see the 

progress of the seeds growing into plants.

Activity Connection to Snack or Mealtime

While eating Cantaloupe Soup at snack or mealtime, talk about 

how the seeds planted in the soil will grow into plants. The plants 

will grow and produce cantaloupes after a summer of water, sun, 

and warmth.

Activity Length: 

15 minutes

Connection to Garden

Art and Crafts 

Gardening Gloves Craft:

The children make Gardening 

Gloves with Cantaloupe shapes, 

an easy shape for little hands to 

draw and color (see Booklet 1, 

Garden Art and Crafts Section, 

page 37).

Green Thumb Guide

Choose the right seeds. If you 

will be planting the seedlings 

in containers outside, select 

a miniature variety of cantaloupe seeds. Consider making 

Decorated Garden Bags and 

Garden Art Row Markers to 

send home with the cantaloupe 

plants. (see Booklet 1, Garden 

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

B3: Plant a Seed or Start Outside 

The children make a cantaloupe seed tape and plant it, or a 

cantaloupe plant start, to help them learn what seeds need to 

grow into plants. 

Objectives 

The children will be able to: 

< Describe the resources needed to grow cantaloupe;

< Experience planting a cantaloupe seed or start.

Optional Activity: Visit a local farm or nursery and see how 

Materials Needed cantaloupes grow. 

< Cantaloupe seeds, a seed 

tape, or cantaloupe start 

< Garden or flowerbed, 12 

feet or longer by 12 to 18 

inches wide

< Hoe or trowel to make space 

to plant seed tape

< Garden hose with nozzle or 

watering can 

What To Do Ahead of Time

< Prepare a cantaloupe seed 

tape (see Booklet 1, Tool 

Shed Resources, Green 

Thumb Guide–Make a Seed 

Tape, page 54) or purchase a 

cantaloupe start.

< Prepare garden or flowerbed 

for planting (see Booklet 1, 

Tool Shed Resources, Green 

Thumb Guide–Gardening 

Outdoors, page 58).

< Plan to serve cantaloupe 

in some form at snack or 

mealtime (see Booklet 1, Tool 

Shed Resources, Ten Terrific 

Ways..., page 48).
Cantaloupe Corner 13

The Activity

< Take the children and the cantaloupe seeds or seed tape 

outside. Explain that today they will plant cantaloupe seeds 

and learn what seeds need to grow into plants.

< 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 cantaloupe 

seeds grow into plants that will produce more cantaloupe.

< Show the children the soil in a garden or flowerbed. Let 

them touch the soil. Ask them how the soil feels (wet or dry, 

hard or soft). Explain that cantaloupe seeds grow in soil. 

< 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 cantaloupe need lots of 

water, so farmers and gardeners use sprinklers in addition to 

rain to make sure the plants have plenty of water.

< Have the children help lay the prepared seed tape in the 

soil at the preferred planting depth of one half inch, cover 

with soil, and water. Remind the children of how far apart 

cantaloupes are planted. 

Activity Connection to Snack or Mealtime

Talk about the cantaloupe seeds planted while eating cantaloupe 

at snack or mealtime.

Planting Options: Follow the directions on the back of the 

cantaloupe seed packet to plant seeds directly into the ground. 

If you have grown cantaloupe seedlings from seeds inside and 

hardened the plants for outdoor planting, you can substitute 

the plants for the seeds or seed tape. You can also purchase 

cantaloupe starts at a greenhouse and plant directly into 

the ground. 

Activity Length: 

15 minutes

Green Thumb Guide:

Is space limited? Grow miniature varieties of cantaloupe in 

a container (see Booklet 1, Tool 

Shed Resources, Green Thumb 

Guide, Container Gardens, page 

55). To adapt this activity to 

plant in a container, see Plant 

a Strawberry Jar, Strawberry 

Patch Activity B3.
14 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

C1: Cool Puppy Pup’s Cantaloupe Lunch Party Video

View Cool Puppy Pup’s Cantaloupe Lunch Party segment 

with the children. Discuss the cantaloupe facts covered in this 

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

way to eat cantaloupe.

Objective

The children will be able to describe how cantaloupe are grown, 

harvested, and eaten.

C. Cantaloupe 

Stories and Songs

Materials Needed

< Cool Puppy Pup DVD

< TV and DVD player

< Slices of cantaloupe, at least 

one per child

< Plates and napkins

What To Do Ahead of Time

< Cue the DVD to start at 

the Cantaloupe segment.

< Prepare cantaloupe slices.
Cantaloupe Corner 15

The Activity

< Gather the children and watch the Cantaloupe 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: 

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

▶ What color is a cantaloupe? (Orange)

▶ What shape is cantaloupe? (Round like a ball)

▶ What color is the outside rind? (Tan) 

▶ How does it feel? (Rough)

< At Tasty Acres Farm, the farmer talked about how 

cantaloupes grow.

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

▶ What is inside the cantaloupe? (Little seeds)

▶ Do cantaloupes grow on vines above or below the 

ground? (Above the ground)

▶ Where are cantaloupes shipped after they are picked? 

(To stores and farmers’ markets)

< Have the children name some of the ways that cantaloupe 

can be eaten (In fruit salads, salsas, shakes, or fresh and sliced).

< 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 sliced cantaloupe, the way that Cool Puppy Pup 

likes cantaloupe best of all. 

< Serve the cantaloupe slices.

Connection to Garden 

Art and Crafts

Make a Scarecrow: 

The children decorate the 

scarecrow’s pants with cantaloupe shapes and color with 

fabric paint (see Booklet 1,

Garden Art and Crafts Section 

for Make a Scarecrow directions, page 38). 

Activity Length: 

15 minutes
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 Booklet1, 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.
Cantaloupe Corner 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, Cantaloupe Style

The children sing about growing and eating cantaloupe and act 

out motions to this familiar tune. 

Objectives

The children will be able to:

< Sing and act out motions to a 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

< Cantaloupe 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
Cantaloupe Corner 19

The children sing about growing and eating cantaloupe and act out 

motions to this familiar tune. 

Old MacDonald Had a Farm, 

Cantaloupe Style

1st Verse

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

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

With plant seeds here and plant seeds there, (Pretend to dig ground and plant seeds 

Here seeds, there seeds, everywhere plant seeds! 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 cantaloupe, EIEIO! (Pretend to carry a basket of cantaloupe)

With a sprout, sprout here and a sprout, sprout there, (Squat to ground and ‘sprout’ up, jumping

Here a sprout, there a sprout, everywhere sprouts! & moving hands, until hands are above head) 

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 cantaloupe, EIEIO! (Pretend to carry a basket of cantaloupe)

With a munch, munch here and a munch, munch there, (Pretend to eat cantaloupe)

Here a munch, there a munch, every where a (Pretend to eat cantaloupe)

cantaloupe munch.

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 cantaloupe, EIEIO! (Pretend to carry a basket of cantaloupe)

With a juicy bite here and juicy bite there, (Pretend to eat and wipe juice from chin) 

Here a bite, there a bite, everywhere a juicy bite.

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

 
20 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

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

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

D1: Meet Cantaloupe’s Melon Friends

Introduce the children to the Eat Smart To Play Hard With 

MyPlate poster. The children find cantaloupe in the Fruits group. 

They taste the difference between cantaloupe and other melons. 

Objectives

The children will be able to: 

< Say that cantaloupe is found in the Fruits group.

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

< Compare cantaloupe to other melons;

< 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 food groups.

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

< Eat Smart To Play Hard 

With MyPlate poster (see 

Booklet 1) 

< Cantaloupe, honeydew, and 

watermelon 

< Plates and napkins

What To Do Ahead of Time

< Review the foods and 

activities depicted on 

the poster. 

< Display the poster.

< Add a photo or illustration 

of cantaloupe to the Fruits 

group of the poster.

< Prepare a wedge each 

of cantaloupe, honeydew, 

and watermelon with the 

rind intact.

< Prepare bite-size pieces of 

cantaloupe, honeydew, and 

watermelon. 

< Make copies of MyPlate 

coloring page (new or use 

copies from a previous D1 

activity), one per child.

< Copy Cantaloupe Growing 

at Home #3–one set 

per child.

D. Introducing MyPlate

Nutrition Education Activities
Cantaloupe Corner 21

The Activity

Learning the Food Groups

< 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.

Activity Length: 

25 minutes; 30 minutes 

if optional coloring 

activity conducted
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 

broccoli and the sweet potatoes in the Vegetables group 

below the green band of the poster and state that vegetables 

such as sweet potatoes and broccoli 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, strawberry, and the picture 

of cantaloupe you placed in the Fruits group below the red 

band of the poster and state that fruits such as peaches, 

strawberries, and cantaloupe 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
Cantaloupe Corner 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 Proteins 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 cantaloupe, honeydew, and 

watermelon wedges. Tell the children that honeydew and 

watermelon are melons similar to cantaloupe, but different 

in color. 

< Give the children the melon samples to taste on a plate with 

a napkin. Note all three are juicy and taste sweet. 

< After tasting the samples of melon, invite the children to feel 

and smell the different melon wedges. Discard wedges at end 

of lesson.

< Ask the children to name different ways to eat orange fruits 

like cantaloupe at different meals and snacks. Accept all 

answers such as in fruit salads, plain or with yogurt, etc.

Be Active–Cantaloupe Curl-ups

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 (11⁄2 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
Cantaloupe Corner 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 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 cantaloupe 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 the children are spaced 

around the room, ask them to sit down and listen carefully. 

Tell the children that building strength is an important way to 

be active. Ask the children to watch you show them a special 

strength building activity that celebrates cantaloupe.

< Ask the children to watch you as you lie on your back on the 

floor, with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Place your 

hands on the back of your head with the elbows pointed out 

to the side. Gently tighten the stomach muscles and raise 

your head and upper body off the floor a few inches in a 

slight sit-up. Point out to the children that a shape similar to 

the curve of a slice of cantaloupe is made between the bent 

knees and raised head. Hold this position for 3 seconds and 

gently release back to the floor. 

< Repeat the curl-up several times with the children, saying, 

“Cantaloupe curl-up (do slight sit up), cantaloupe down 

(return to floor).”

< Conclude the activity by telling the children it is fun to eat 

cantaloupe and be physically active by doing Cantaloupe 

Curl-ups.

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 band red and draw section 

color a cantaloupe wedge near it or use the Blackline Master of 

a cantaloupe (see Booklet 1, Tool Shed Resources, page 77) and 

have the children color the cantaloupe. 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: Can’t Resist Cantaloupe 

The children taste a new cantaloupe recipe and talk about 

different ways to eat cantaloupe.

Objectives

The children will be able to: 

< Taste cantaloupe in a combination food, Cantaloupe 

Fruit Salad;

< Describe many different ways to eat cantaloupe.

Option: Make the 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

< Cantaloupe Fruit Salad 

Recipe ingredients–see the 

Child Care Center version of 

this recipe on page 28. 

< Plates, spoons, and napkins

What To Do Ahead of Time

< Prepare the recipe.

< Prepare table(s).
Cantaloupe Corner 27

The Activity

< Seat the children at the table(s). 

< Ask the children to share what they remember learning 

about cantaloupe. 

< Encourage responses such as how and where a cantaloupe 

grows; what it looks, feels, smells, and tastes like; and other 

material covered in the unit.

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

celebration of a new way to eat cantaloupe. Cantaloupe can 

be part of a mixture of other foods. 

< Show the children the Cantaloupe Fruit Salad and talk about 

the other foods in the salad. If making the recipe as part of 

the activity, make it at this point.

< Serve the children the Cantaloupe Fruit Salad. 

< As the children are eating, ask:

▶ What cantaloupe recipes they have made with their parents?

▶ What different ways have they eaten cantaloupe?

▶ What new ways do they think cantaloupe could be eaten?

< Give suggestions such as cantaloupe in salads, salsas, 

smoothies, mixed fruit salads, chilled soups, and 

cantaloupe wedges.

Words To Grow

Salad 

Peach

Strawberry 

Cantaloupe

Mixture

Activity Length: 

10-15 minutes
28 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Preparation Time: 10 minutes 

Yield: 16 child-size portions of 1⁄2-cup 

•	 11⁄4 cups fresh cantaloupe • 11⁄4 cups fresh strawberries

•	 11⁄4 cups fresh peaches	 	 • 3 Tbsp frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

1. Wash cantaloupe with cool tap water. Cut open and remove seeds. Cut cantaloupe 

flesh from rind and cut into small pieces. Place in a medium-size bowl.

2. Wash strawberries and remove green tops. Cut strawberries into small pieces 

and place on top of cantaloupe.

3. Blanch fresh peaches to remove skin if desired (see Tips). Cut into small pieces and place on top of cantaloupe/

strawberry mixture.

4. Pour orange juice concentrate over fruit and mix. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours.

5. When ready to serve, stir fruit to mix.

Variations: Substitute unsweetened, whole frozen strawberries (thawed) for fresh strawberries. 

Substitute canned peaches (packed in water or juice), drained, or frozen peach slices (thawed) for fresh peaches. 

Nutrients per 1 child-size serving of 1⁄2 cup: Calories 21, Protein, 0.4 g, Carbohydrate 5.2 g, Total Fat 0 .1 g, Saturated 

Fat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Vitamin A 625 IU, Vitamin C 19.9 mg, Iron 0 .1 mg, Calcium 5.4 mg, Sodium 1.7 mg, Dietary Fiber 0 .8 g

Cantaloupe 

Fruit Salad

Cooking with Children 

Young children can:

•	 Wash hands first

• 	Help thoroughly wash the outside rind of the cantaloupe

• 	Help wash fresh peaches and strawberries in a colander

• 	Help cut cantaloupe, peaches, and strawberries into small pieces using a

 cutting board and plastic knife

• 	Pour orange juice concentrate over fruit pieces

Adults should cut the melon from the rind and blanch and peel the peaches 

if using fresh peaches.

For the Child and Adult Care Food Program
Cantaloupe Corner 29

Growing at Home Materials...

for Cantaloupe Corner Lessons
30 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Our series of lessons about Tasty Acres Farm from our Grow It, Try It, Like It! 

lessons has us exploring Cantaloupe Corner. Today your child learned about 

cantaloupe and how this fruit looks, feels, tastes, and smells. He/she learned 

that cantaloupe:

•	 Is round;

•	 Feels rough on the outside;

•	 Is orange, smooth, and juicy on the inside;

•	 Has seeds and string-like fibers in its center; and

•	 Smells and tastes sweet.

Cantaloupe Melon Kabobs are a delicious, easy way to enjoy cantaloupe; the 

recipe is on the next page. Talk with your child about eating cantaloupe as you make 

this recipe together. Or, make a favorite family recipe with your child that includes 

cantaloupe.

Enclosed with this note is a fun activity, What Do Cantaloupe Look Like? Your 

child will love having fun exploring healthful foods like cantaloupe with you. Spend a 

few minutes together looking at a cantaloupe and touching it; activities like this will 

result in your child being more willing 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 

Cantaloupe Growing at Home #1 

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

Tip: 

Make a mini fruit pizza! Top a 

graham cracker with low-fat or 

fat-free cream cheese or peanut 

butter and layer with slices of fresh 

fruit in season.
Cantaloupe Corner 31

Cantaloupe 

Melon Kabobs

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Serves: 12 child-size portions of 1 kabob with 2 tsp yogurt (about 1⁄4 cup fruit)

Serves: 6 adult-size portions of 2 kabobs with 4 tsp yogurt

•	1 cup fresh cantaloupe, cut in

1-inch cubes

•	1 cup fresh honeydew melon,

cut in 1-inch cubes

•	1 cup fresh watermelon, cut in

	 1-inch cubes, remove seeds

1. Wash melons under cool running tap water. Scrub outside of melons with clean vegetable brush and 

rinse. Cut open and remove seeds of cantaloupe and honeydew melons. Cut melon flesh from rind and 

remove any bruised or damaged areas. Cut into 1-inch cubes. 

2. Press wooden stick through center of a piece of cantaloupe, leaving 1-inch of stick bare for a handle at 

one end.

3. Repeat pressing other pieces of melon on wooden stick alternating types until stick is full.

Refrigerate or serve immediately. Offer yogurt as sauce for dipping kabobs. 

Tip: Freeze kabobs for a cool, frosty fruit treat on a hot summer day. Place kabobs on a tray and place in

the freezer. After 30 minutes, transfer to a zipper lock freezer bag, label, and date.

Nutrients per 1 child-size serving of 1 kabob (about 1⁄4 cup fruit): Calories 34, Protein 1.1 g, 

Carbohydrate 7.1 g, Total Fat 0.3 g, Saturated Fat 0 .2 g, Cholesterol 1 mg, Vitamin A 492.5 IU, Vitamin C 10.5 mg, Iron.

1 mg, Calcium 31.6 mg, Sodium13.7 mg, Dietary Fiber 0.3 g

•	 1 cup low-fat or fat-free vanilla or fruit-flavored yogurt, for dipping or drizzling

•	 12 wooden craft sticks

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

Cantaloupe Growing at Home 

Cooking with Children 

Young children can:

•	 Wash hands first

• 	Help thoroughly wash the outside rinds of melons

• 	Help thread pieces of fruit on sticks

Adults should cut melons and remove seeds and rinds; cut fruit into 1-inch pieces, and help 

thread fruit onto wooden sticks. 
32 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Round like a basketball Square like a box

Triangle shape like 

an ice cream cone

What Do Cantaloupe Look Like?

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Generally, children are more eager to try and eat 

foods that are familiar. Help your child review what 

they have learned about cantaloupe in child care. 

If possible, buy a cantaloupe and explore it with 

your child as you complete this activity. Your child 

will love sharing with you everything we’ve learned 

about how a cantaloupe looks, feels, and tastes! 

We’ve learned: 

Cantaloupe is round with tan colored skin. The 

outside rind of a cantaloupe feels rough when you 

touch it. We scrub the outside well before we cut 

a cantaloupe in half. The inside of cantaloupe is 

orange, soft, and smooth. The seeds of the cantaloupe are in the center. We remove these seeds 

before we eat cantaloupe. 

Have your child complete the activity below.

What shape is cantaloupe? Draw a circle around the object with the same shape as cantaloupe.
Cantaloupe Corner 33

Cantaloupe Growing at Home #2

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

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Today our lessons about cantaloupe focused on the garden. Your child learned about 

planting cantaloupe seeds and how this fruit grows and is harvested. Ask your child 

to share what we learned about growing cantaloupe. Some points we covered 

included that cantaloupes:

•	 Grow from seeds that are found inside them;

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

•	 Grow on long vines above the ground; and

•	 Are cut from the vine when the outside turns tan in color.

Continue learning experiences at home by making the attached recipe, Cantaloupe 

Soup, with your child. It is easy to do and tastes great! You may wish to make other 

family recipes with your child that include cantaloupe. Frequently offering 

cantaloupe will encourage your child to eat this healthful fruit.

The activity page enclosed, The Story of How a Cantaloupe Grows, will help 

your child remember what we learned in class today. Create a special memory by 

reading the activity and snacking on the Cantaloupe Soup you made together! When 

done, follow the directions to create a game your child can play over and over again. 

Offering a new food such as cantaloupe many times is another great way to help your 

child develop healthful eating habits.

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

Sincerely,

Child Care Center Director

Tip: 

Fruit is the original fast food snack. 

Keep plenty on hand and easy 

to reach. Prepare a plate of fruit 

kabobs and set next to low-fat or 

fat-free yogurt in the refrigerator. 

It’s a snack waiting to happen!
34 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Cantaloupe Soup

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Serves: 6 child portions of 1⁄2 cup

Serves: 3 adult portions of 1 cup

•	 3 cups fresh, chilled cantaloupe chunks

•	 1 cup cold orange juice

•	 Sugar is optional 

1. Put chunks of cantaloupe in blender or food processor.

2. Pour orange juice and sugar, if used, over cantaloupe.

3. Cover tightly with lid and puree or blend until very smooth.

Pour into bowls and serve immediately. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Variation: Make half a recipe with cantaloupe and transfer to a pitcher. Make another half a recipe with 

strawberries (or another fruit) and transfer to a second pitcher. Make half-and-half soup by pouring from both 

pitchers at the same time into bowls. Pouring at the same time will keep the two colors from mixing.

Tip: Freeze soup in 9” by 13” by 2” pan for 20-30 minutes in the freezer, stirring every 5-10 minutes until slushy. 

Scoop icy fruit slush into bowls for a frosty, refreshing dessert.

Nutrients per 1 child-size serving of 1⁄2 cup: Calories 46, Protein 1 g, Carbohydrate 10.8 g, Total Fat 0.2 g, 

Saturated Fat 0.1 g Cholesterol 0 mg, Vitamin A 2788 IU, Vitamin C 50 mg, Iron 0.3 mg, Calcium 11.8 mg, Sodium 

13 mg, Dietary Fiber 0.8 g

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

Cantaloupe Growing at Home 

Cooking with Children

Young children can:

•	 Wash hands first

•	 Help cut cantaloupe into small pieces using a cutting board and plastic knife.

•	 Help add ingredients to blender pitcher.

• 	 Help cover blender and watch as adult operates blender.

• 	 Help stir slushy cantaloupe soup if icy fruit slush option is made.

Adults should cut melons and remove seeds and rinds; cut fruit into 1-inch 

pieces, and do all steps involving the blender.
Cantaloupe Corner 35

Story of How a Cantaloupe Grows

Dear Parents and Guardians: 

Your child has learned about growing and harvesting cantaloupe. Review what they have learned by 

reading this story together. The pictures show the 

steps of growing and harvesting a cantaloupe. Enjoy 

eating Cantaloupe Soup while you read this story 

together. After you have read the story, you can cut 

the pictures apart and create a game for your child. 

Have your child practice putting the story of how a 

cantaloupe grows in the right order.

In spring, a farmer plants cantaloupe 

seeds in the ground.

The cantaloupe seeds grow vines on top 

of the ground. The plants need soil, a lot 

of sun, warm weather, water, and time 

to grow. 

Cantaloupes grow on the vines and ripen 

to a tan color during the summer.

The farmer picks the cantaloupes. The family chooses a cantaloupe at the 

grocery store or farmers’ market.

The family makes and eats cantaloupe 

soup at home. Yum!
36 Grow It, Try It, Like It!

Cantaloupe Growing at Home #3

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

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Today we concluded our lessons on cantaloupe with a celebration of taste. 

Cantaloupe tastes wonderful prepared and served in many different ways. Ask 

your child to tell his/her favorite ways to eat cantaloupe. Some of the new ideas 

for cantaloupe we discussed were: 

•	 Mixed in salads; 

•	 Cubed for kabobs or scooped into balls for snacks;

•	 Blended in cold soups and smoothies; and

•	 Chopped for salsas.

Help your child continue learning at home in a fun and tasty way. Together, make 

the delicious and easy Cantaloupe Fruit Salad recipe shown on the following 

page. It is sure to become a favorite family cantaloupe recipe. 

Cantaloupe Cuisine–New Ideas for Enjoying Cantaloupe is an activity to 

get your child and you thinking about cantaloupe and all the different ways to eat 

this juicy, sweet fruit. Have fun trying cantaloupe in different foods with your child. 

Trying new and different foods helps your child enjoy new taste experiences. 

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

Sincerely,

Child Care Center Director Tip: 

Children who help prepare food 

are more likely to try those foods. 

Plan regular times to cook with 

your child, maybe on a weekend 

when schedules are less hectic.
Cantaloupe Corner 37

Cantaloupe Fruit Salad

Preparation Time: 10 minutes 

Serves: 16 child-size portions of 1⁄2-cup

Serves: 8 adult-size portions of 1 cup 

 

•	 11⁄2 cups fresh cantaloupe	• 11⁄4 cups fresh strawberries

•	 11⁄4 cups fresh peaches	 • 3 Tbsp frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed

1. Wash cantaloupe with cool tap water. Cut cantaloupe open and remove seeds. Cut cantaloupe flesh 

from rind and cut into small pieces. Place in a medium-size bowl.

2. Wash strawberries and remove green tops. Cut strawberries into small pieces and place on top

of cantaloupe.

3. Blanch fresh peaches to remove skin if desired (see Tips). Cut into small pieces and place on top of 

cantaloupe/strawberry mixture. 

4. Pour orange juice concentrate over fruit and stir gently to mix. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours.

5. When ready to serve, stir fruit to mix.

Variations: Substitute unsweetened, whole frozen strawberries (thawed) for fresh strawberries. Substitute 

canned peaches (packed in water or juice), drained, or frozen peach slices (thawed) for fresh peaches. 

Nutrients per 1 child-size serving of 1/2 cup: Calories 21, Protein, 0.4 g, Carbohydrate 5.2 g, Total Fat 

0 .1 g, Saturated Fat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Vitamin A 625 IU, Vitamin C 19.9 mg, Iron 0 .1 mg, Calcium 5.4 mg, 

Sodium 1.7 mg, Dietary Fiber 0.8 g

Cooking with Children 

Young children can:

•	 Wash hands first

• 	Help thoroughly wash the outside rind of the cantaloupe

• 	Help wash fresh peaches and strawberries in a colander

• 	Help make cantaloupe balls with a melon ball kitchen tool

• 	Help cut cantaloupe, peaches, and strawberries into small pieces using a cutting

board and plastic knife

• 	Pour orange juice concentrate over fruit pieces

Adults should cut melon from the rind and blanch and peel the peaches if using 

fresh peaches.

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

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

Cantaloupe Cuisine New ideas for enjoying cantaloupe

Dear Parents and Guardians: 

Encourage children to enjoy foods in many different 

ways. The chance to experiment and try different 

dishes featuring cantaloupe is a great family activity. 

While everyone might not like every food the same, 

that’s okay! It is fun to try. It is sometimes surprising to find out what tastes are favored.

Talk with your child about eating cantaloupe. 

Explore ways that are familiar and ways that may 

be new. The activity below is a great way to start. 

Have your child draw a circle around the ways 

they know they like to eat cantaloupe. Talk with 

your child about new cantaloupe ideas your family could try. Invite your child to draw a picture 

of a brand new idea. Make a plan to taste a new 

recipe with cantaloupe, either one shown here or 

the idea your child creates with you. Your child 

can have also fun coloring the pictures of cantaloupe ideas below.

Cantaloupe Kabobs 

Cantaloupe Fruit Salad

Cantaloupe sections on a plate

Try one of these ideas this week!

Help your child create and draw a new idea for eating cantaloupe on the reverse side of page. 

Cantaloupe soup 
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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