Learning Bag: Apple Tree Number Game

It seems like all the activities I've wanted to do with the girls have been focused on apples lately, and I thought this would make a simple learning activity.  You can store it easily in a plastic bag.

Supplies:

• White paper
• Green paper
• Brown paper or bag
• Scissors
• Glue
• Marker
• Notecards
• Red pom-poms

MAKE IT:

1)  Cut a sheet of white construction paper in half.  Make a tree (we used green paper for the top and a paper bag for the trunk).  Glue it to the white paper.

2)  Write numbers from 1-10 on notecards.  On the back of the notecards, draw corresponding dots for each number.

USE IT:

We play this as a game.  One person draws a card and puts the number of "apples" (pom-poms) on the tree.  The other person turns the notecard over and places each pom-pom from the tree on a dot to check for accuracy.

You can also use this as a single person activity -- just have your child put the number of apples on the tree, and then he can check his own work by putting the pom-poms on the dots!

"Starry" Apple Prints

Use this activity to find a star in an apple!

You need:

Apple

Apple corer

Knife

Paint

Black paper

1) Core an apple.

2) Cut the core in half. Remove the seeds.

3) Dip the "star stamp" in paint. Make star prints on the paper. Add the sandpaper crescent moon from last week to make a starry night scene.

We just used a white crayon to color our sandpaper moon. You could also paint it!

Linking up to Kid's Get Crafty at Red Ted Art

Apple Pie Tree

We read The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall.  It's a great book to introduce the growth cycle of an apple tree.  Of course, you should be prepared to make apple pie when you finish!  It includes a tasty recipe in the back of the book.

We extended the book by making our own version of an apple pie tree.  Just be prepared -- it was a messy experience!!

1)  Pour a thin layer of brown paint into a shallow container.  Help your child put one foot in the paint and step near the bottom of the blue paper.  Set aside to dry.

2)  Step into the container of water to rinse away the paint.

3)  Paint a treetop.  Allow to dry.

4)  Add red circle stickers (or use a small lid or Q-tip dipped in red paint) for apples.

Rinsing away the paint and cleaning our feet actually led my daughter to the idea of washing each other's feet "just like Jesus did."  I hadn't even thought about a spiritual tie-in, but she found it!

         

Apple Counting Game

Here's another idea to use with Ten Apples Up On Top by Dr. Seuss.

You need:
Cardstock paper (or copy paper if you plan to laminate it)
Apple
Red, yellow, or green paint

1)  Cut the apple in half.  Press in the paint.

2)  Print ten apples on the paper.  Allow to dry.

3)  Draw stems and cut out.  Laminate if desired.

4)  Play a counting game by calling out a specific number of apples and having your child put them "up on top" of a friend, sibling, or stuffed animal's head!

I plan to laminate our apples for use in other counting and number games!

Apple Balance Test

I used Ten Apples Up On Top! by Dr. Seuss to explore the idea of real and imaginary and to do a little experiment!

You need:
Ten Apples Up On Top!
Apples
Other items to balance -
     Plastic cups
     Plastic bowls
     Books, etc.

1)  Read the book to your child.  Discuss whether this is a real or imaginary story (you can even introduce the words non-fiction and fiction).

2)  Have your child predict whether they can balance one apple "up on top".  Can they do more than one?  Test the prediction.

3)  Extend the activity by trying to balance other items.  Which is easier?  Which is harder?

Tasty Tuesday: Easy as "Apple Pie" Snack

If you have any leftover applesauce, use it to make this simple treat.

You need:
Granola
Applesauce
Cinnamon (if desired)

1)  Spoon granola into a small bowl or other container.

2)  Top with a few spoonfuls of applesauce.

3)  Sprinkle cinnamon on top (if desired).  Enjoy!

The girls said it tasted a little like apple pie. I'm not convinced, but it's definitely much easier and less messy than baking an apple pie!

Tasty Tuesday: Applesauce in a Slow Cooker

We had way too many apples after our picking adventures!  We've made a ridiculous amount of apple-based goodies in the past week:  applesauce in a crockpot, applebutter in a crockpot, apple pie, apple crumble, and apple cake (thanks for all your great suggestions on Facebook)!  Plus, my husband peeled enough apples to freeze for 12 pies.  Poor guy.  I don't think he wants to see another apple for a while!

You need:

10-12 medium apples

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 cup apple juice or water

1/4 cup agave nectar or 1/2 cup sugar (if desired)

1)  Wash, core, and peel 10-12 apples.

2)  Cut peeled apples into chunks.  Place in crockpot.  Add juice/water (and sweetener if desired).  Sprinkle with cinnamon.  Stir.  Cook on high for 3-4 hours. 

We like a chunky applesauce, so I used a potato masher to stir just a few times after cooking!  If you want a smooth texture, put through a blender or stir with a hand mixer. 

Apples, Apples, Apples!

I wanted to visit an apple orchard in preparation for our "Apple" theme week, but I didn't find any close to our home.  Thankfully, both my aunt and another friend had plenty of trees with fruit to share!

The trees were loaded.  We took home five bags of apples!

Even Sunshine could get in on the picking! 

The tree was the perfect size!

Picking apples is hard work, so a

puppy-petting break is always a good idea!

We've peeled a lot of apples in the past week!  I'll share some simple recipe and craft ideas starting tomorrow.  Hope you had a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Books to explore an"Apple" theme:

Linking up to http://www.childhood101.com/