Resource Review: Summer Food, Summer Moves

Health and safety planning is laid out as well. Allergen information for all food-related activities and recipes is included in the operators guides. Adults can find strategies for adapting activities to suit the needs of children who need functional support too. This resource is a turn-key guide for a fun, successful summer.  

Summer Food, Summer Moves Operator Guide (EN) 

Summer Food, Summer Moves Operator Guide (SP) 

Six Great Themes

This one-of-a-kind resource is broken down into six themes. These themes can be stretched out to be enjoyed over the course of a full week, or each theme can be executed in a single day. Truly, there’s no wrong way to have family fun.  

Summer Meals, Summer Fun 

This is a great place to start. Celebrate the sunshine and warmth of summer with easy games, kid-friendly trivia, an exciting exercise challenge, and a delicious food preparation activity. The sun-themed activities work at any time in the summer, and the activities are simple to prepare. 

Activities and recipes:  

• Colorful fruits and veggies 

• Lights! Camera! Water! 
• Fruit and Veggie Trivia 
• Bring the Heat 2-Minute Challenge 
• Water Sparklers 
• Fruity Fun Chicken Salad Cups 

Stay Cool With Summer Meals 

Use these beat-the-heat-themed activities on the hottest days of summer. These activities are a fun way to boost interest and attendance for kids of all ages. If you do any water activities, you should let families know ahead of time so they can prepare for water play. Look for tips on page 19.

 

Activities and recipes:  

• Jump in for Healthy Choices 
• The Big Wind Blows 
•  Water Safety Tips 
• Hot Tomato 
• Fruit and Veggie Waters 
• Cool Cucumber Yogurt Dip 

Movin’ With Summer Meals 

Music makes every moment seem like a celebration. You’ll get into the groove with an energetic dance party, fun games, inspiring poetry slam, vegetable tasting, and a sweet healthy treat to prepare together. These music-and dance-themed activities are guaranteed to be a hit. 

Activities and recipes: 

• Red Pepper, Green Pepper, Chili Pepper 
• Movie Moves Party Game 
• Collaborative Poetry Slam 
• Screen-Free Limbo Challenge 
• Get Down with Bell Peppers 
• Berry Jams Party Bites 

Summer Meals, Summer Friends

When school’s out for summer, many kids see old friends and make new friends at summer meal sites. Help grow a caring community with these friendship-themed activities full of games, arts and crafts, fruit tasting, and a mouth-watering food demonstration. 

Activities and recipes:

• Ultimate MyPlate 
• Circle of Friends Cheer 
• That’s What Friends Are Ffor 
• Game Inventors 
• Melon Medley 
• Summer Vegetable Salsa 

Let’s Celebrate Summer Meals!  

Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, maybe even a birthday – there are plenty of reasons to celebrate in the summer months. These holiday-themed activities contain games, an art project, and a special gardening activity. 

Activities and recipes: 

• Cheer and Leap Game 
• Herb Gardening 
• Play Hard Activity Cube 
• My Party Plate 
• Garden Fiesta Tuna Pockets 

Eat Smart to Play Hard 

Get kids moving and feeling good with sports-themed games, exercises, and challenges. The Eat Smart To. Play Hard.™ campaign was launched by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service to support kids and families in eating healthy and being physically active. 

Activities and recipes:  

• Power Up and Give Me 60! 
• Five Food Groups Relay Race 
• Drink Smart to Play Hard 
• Power Path 
• Power Up Your Snack 
• Home Run Hummus Wrap