3. Making Spiders And Insects
We are continuing our list of science activities for toddlers and preschoolers with this activity that combines cooking with science and not only is it educational but tasty, too. Get an insect book to look at with your child before your go to the kitchen. Look at pictures of spiders and insects and ask your child about the difference between the two. If they cannot find the answers then help them by explaining that the difference between spiders and insects is in the number of legs. Now get ready to make some delicious spiders and insects. You will need to make a ganache and prepare some pretzels, nuts, and a paper to work with. Take the paper and create a chart by drawing a vertical line on the paper and then writing “spider” on one side and “insect” on the other. You and your child should use your fingers to model the bodies of spiders and insects out of ganache and then use nuts and pretzels to decorate them. Pretzels should serve as legs and pecans can serve as the carapace. Encourage your child to speak by asking questions about insects and spiders while you are making these treats. The chocolate treats should chill in the fridge for a while and when you take them out, take the chart you made previously and now choose your treats one by one, count their legs and together with the child, place them under the correct label on the chart.
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