Farm Trail Mix

Farmers need a snack they can carry out to the field. Today your little one scoops, counts and shakes up their own Farm Trail Mix. Every scoop is a chance to talk about where our food comes from.

What you need

Pick 4 to 6 foods:

• Cereal o's (made from oats that grow in a field)

• Fish crackers or cheese crackers

• Raisins or other dried fruit, chopped small

• Freeze-dried strawberries or apples

• Mini pretzels, broken into small pieces

• Sunflower or pumpkin seeds (for ages 4 and up)

• Small bowls, a spoon or scoop, and a cup or zip bag for each child

How to make it

1. Set out the bowls. Put each food in its own bowl.

2. Name the farm. Talk about where each one started: "Oats grow in a field. Raisins were grapes on a vine."

3. Scoop and count. Your child adds six scoops to their cup, counting each one out loud.

4. Shake it up. Close the bag or cover the cup and shake, shake, shake.

5. Snack like a farmer. Carry it outside and sit down for a picnic, just like a farmer taking a break.

Why we love it

Scooping and pouring build hand control, and counting six scoops puts this week's number to work. Naming where each food started connects snack time to the farm.

Make it your own

• Sort it first: Before mixing, sort the foods by color or shape. Sorting is this week's thinking skill.

• Nut-free: We leave nuts out of this mix. Seeds add crunch for older kids.

A quick safety note: Whole nuts, seeds, popcorn and whole raisins can be choking hazards for kids under 4. Chop dried fruit small, skip the seeds for little ones and check labels for wheat and milk allergies. Always have your child sit while eating.

Shop these items

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

• Toddler bowls

• Shop everything for Week 6: Farm

• Starter supplies: the basics we use most weeks

• See every week in our Amazon storefront

More for this week: see all our Farm activities, Letter F activities and Number 6 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.