Crunch Test

Today snack time turns into a listening experiment. Your little one tastes a few foods, listens closely to each bite, and sorts them into crunchy, soft or somewhere in between. It's the loudest science test you'll ever do.

What you need

• 4 to 6 foods with different textures, like:

  • Crunchy: crackers, rice cakes, apple slices (cut thin), cucumber

  • Soft: banana, bread, cheese, a spoonful of yogurt

• Two bowls or two sides of a plate, labeled "crunchy" and "soft"

How to make it

1. Guess first. Hold up each food and ask, "Do you think this will be crunchy or soft?"

2. Listen closely. Take a bite and cup your hands over your ears. Can you hear it?

3. Sort it. Your child puts each food in the crunchy bowl or the soft bowl.

4. Find the in-betweens. Some foods surprise us. Is a pear crunchy or soft? Is a pretzel crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside?

5. Pick a winner. Which food was the loudest crunch?

Why we love it

Kids usually think of eating as tasting, but we also hear, feel and see our food. This test gives your child words like crunchy, soft, chewy and smooth, and it practices guessing and checking, which is how scientists work.

Make it your own

• Count to 4: Test four foods, one at a time.

• Eyes closed: For older kids, close eyes and guess the food by the sound of the crunch alone.

• Chart it: Draw a simple chart with a crunchy side and a soft side, and add a sticker for each food.

A quick safety note: For kids under 4, crunchy foods are a common choking risk. Cut apples and cucumbers thin, avoid nuts, popcorn and hard raw carrots, and always have your child sit while eating. Skip anything your family avoids.

Shop these items

Everything mentioned in this post, in one place. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

• Divided toddler plates

• Kids stickers

• Shop everything for Week 4: My Senses

• Starter supplies: the basics we use most weeks

• See every week in our Amazon storefront

More for this week: see all our Five Senses activities, Letter D activities and Number 4 activities.

Every child is different. Please use your own judgment about what's safe and right for your family. Always supervise children during activities and while eating, and adjust foods for allergies, dietary needs and your child's age and chewing ability. Sprocket & Sprout shares these ideas for fun and learning only. We are not responsible for any injury, allergic reaction, damage or mess that may result from trying them. This post may contain affiliate links; if you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.