Balanced Meal Game

 

Notes for using the balanced meal game:

Learning objective:
Children will further their understanding of 'balanced' meals.

National Curriculum links:
Science Key Stage 2 Sc2 2b Pupils should be taught about the need for food for activity and growth, and about the importance of an adequate and varied diet for health.
PSHE & Citizenship Key Stage 2 3a Pupils should be taught what makes a healthy lifestyle, including the benefits of healthy eating and how to make informed choices.

Key Vocabulary:
Names of foods, names for food groups e.g. dairy products, fruit, vegetables.

Organisation:
Small groups of two to four children.

Resources:
A 'balanced meal game'; 4 counters of different colours; a dice.
Note: Prepare the game by printing out the game board and food pictures onto card. Once printed, laminate them and cut up the food pictures to make 32 cards. Place the cards face down in the centre of the plate.

Introduction:
Remind children of the types of foods they need to eat in a balanced meal.

Activity:
Show children the food game and explain the following 'rules'.
In turn throw the dice, the child who scores the highest numbers will start the game.
The aim is to collect enough food cards to make a balanced meal.
On throwing the dice the counter is moved the corresponding number of places.
If the counter lands on 'Collect food' a food card is taken.
If a player lands on 'Water shortage' and has a water card it must be returned to the pack.
If a player lands on 'Cow runs dry' and has a dairy product card it must be returned.
When all cards have been collected, players must arrange them into as many balanced meals as possible.

Plenary:
Talk about the meals made. Ask questions such as: Which of the foods provide calcium? Which meals contain fruit and vegetables?

Extension:
Ask children to make up their own rules for the game.
Provide card and pens for children to design a game to teach which foods are good sources of calcium.
Use the food cards for sorting activities