Healthy and Unhealthy Food Sorting Chart Activity for Kids
Teaching kids about healthy and unhealthy foods can be a fun and engaging process. This Healthy and Unhealthy Foods Chart Activity is a hands-on way to help kids learn to differentiate between nutritious foods and junk foods, as well as understand the consequences of their choices. With free printable worksheets, this activity is perfect for kindergarten, preschoolers, and young learners.
What You’ll Need
- Free Printables: Includes 3 pages:
- Healthy Food Chart Grid
- Unhealthy Food Chart Grid
- Cutout pages with food items such as fruits, vegetables, and junk food.
- Cardstock or cardboard
- Scissors
- Glue or velcro hook-and-loop dots
How to Make the Healthy and Unhealthy Foods Chart Activity
Download the Printables
Click the link below to download your free healthy and unhealthy food chart worksheets. The set includes the chart grids and food item cutouts.
Prepare the Charts
Paste the healthy and unhealthy food chart grids onto cardstock or a notebook. For a sturdier option, use cardboard.
Cut out the food images from the printable pages.
Attach Velcro Dots
Fix velcro hook-and-loop dots on the grid spaces and the back of the food cutouts. This makes it easy to fix and remove the pieces repeatedly.
Set Up the Activity
Your chart is now ready for an interactive learning session!
What to Teach Kids Before the Activity
Before starting the activity, introduce kids to the concepts of healthy eating and the effects of different foods.
Key Concepts to Teach
- Healthy Foods
- Examples: Fruits (apple, grapes), vegetables (broccoli, carrot), whole grains, and dairy.
- Benefits: Provide energy, make teeth strong, improve immunity.
- Unhealthy Foods
- Examples: Junk food (pizza), sugary treats (cake, ice cream), carbonated drinks (Coke).
- Consequences: Tooth decay, fatigue, weight issues, and illnesses.
Use Visuals
Explain the impact of healthy and unhealthy foods with images in the printables:
- A healthy boy & strong teeth (representing healthy eating).
- An unhealthy boy & decayed teeth (representing poor eating habits).
How to Play
- Offer the prepared chart to your child.
- Let them pick food cutouts and place them in the correct category: Healthy Food or Unhealthy Food.
- Encourage them to explain the consequences of each food choice as they match.
What Kids Learn
- Sorting Skills: Categorizing foods into healthy and unhealthy groups.
- Healthy Eating Awareness: Understanding the importance of good nutrition.
- Critical Thinking: Associating food choices with health outcomes like strong teeth or illnesses.
- Fine Motor Skills: Using cutouts and velcro dots.
Healthy and Unhealthy Foods Chart Activity Free Printable
Click download button below to get free Healthy and Unhealthy Foods Chart Activity Printable
How do you teach healthy and unhealthy food?
Use visuals, charts, and activities like this to explain the difference. Reinforce the benefits of healthy foods and the consequences of unhealthy choices.
How do you explain healthy food and unhealthy food?
Healthy food provides energy and nutrients, while unhealthy food can lead to health problems like obesity and tooth decay. Use real examples kids recognize.
How do you explain healthy food to a child?
Relate it to their favorite activities, like playing or studying. Explain that healthy food gives them energy and helps them grow strong.
This Healthy Food Sorting Activity is a great way to introduce kids to healthy eating habits. Download the free printable healthy and unhealthy food activity sheets today and make learning fun for your kids!