#TWKatHome Activities
December: Celebrating Food Traditions Around the World
Welcome to TWKatHome, our fun, free online content that helps kids and families explore food and build positive, healthy eating habits. Each month, we will provide activities and ideas for ways to engage children as they learn about food and where it comes from.
If you want to receive this monthly content directly to your email, please fill out this quick form.
Taste Wise Kids at Home and in the Classroom!
Welcome to our Taste Wise Kids Monthly Content. We welcome educators at home and in the classroom to learn about food traditions in the month of December. You will find downloadable activities to print, links to explore virtually, and ideas to start a conversation. December is a month filled with celebrations all across the world. This month, we are highlighting some holidays and foods that are enjoyed as part of traditions.
Fall Content
Food Brings People Together
It has been said that food brings people together and this is very true. During the holiday season, food traditions become a way to bring people together also.
Icebreaker Activity- Challenge children to create a long list of food and ingredients that are popular in December. Consider having a large piece of chart paper or digital board to display student responses.
Have a conversation about food and history. Explain that recipes come with a story and invite them to research the stories behind some of the popular December foods.
Invite children to share recipes from their families and their own memories and stories.
Hanukkah Food Stories
Hanukkah is an eight day Jewish celebration that is often called "the festival of lights." Families light a menorrah each night with special prayers and foods to honor their faith and history.
Listed below are some of the most popular foods eaten during Hanukkah. Learn about each and try a new recipe.
- Latkes- Latkes are Yiddish for "pancake" and they are a common food eaten during Hanukkah. The potato pancakes are fried in oil and are significant to Hanukkah because of the history of lighting of the menorah with oils. Try to make them at home with this recipe!
- Matzo Ball Soup- Matzo is unleavened flatbread and used in many Jewish recipes. Matzo Ball soup is a hearty soup enjoyed at holidays.
- Sufganiyot-These fried jelly doughnuts are a special treat and are made to honor the miracle of one night of oil lasting for eight nights.
- Challah-Challah originated in Israel. It is an egg based bread that is both flavorful and light. Try this kid friendly Challah recipe to taste why it is a favorite.
Christmas Food Stories
Christmas is a religious and cultural celebration in Christianity. It is celebrated around the world in many different ways!
Listed below are some of the most popular foods eaten during Christmas. Learn about each and try a new recipe.
- Gingerbread Houses- Gingerbread houses started in the 1800s after the children's story of Hansel and Gretel. Today, it is a modern tradition to make a gingerbread house during the Christmas season. Try a spin on a gingerbread house with graham crackers.
- Christmas Pudding-Also known as Figgy Pudding, Christmas Pudding has been around since the 14th century. It is a British holiday tradition that is now made around the world. Christmas pudding is a spongey cake that is made ahead of time. Try a kid friendly version of a Christmas Pudding.
- Buche de Noel- Buche de Noel is a traditional French cake that dates back to medieval times. The cake was made to resemble a Yule log because it represents the Yule log families would burn over the Christmas holiday to welcome good luck into the new year.
- Fruitcake- A fruitcake is a cake filled with dried fruits and nuts. They date back to Roman times and are symbols of Christmas season because many people give them as gifts. Make your own version of a fruitcake with this recipe!
Kwanzaa Food Stories
Kwanza is a celebration of community, food, family, and culture. It is a time set aside to honor African heritage. Kwanzaa in Swahili means first fruits of the harvest.
Listed below are some of the most popular foods eaten during Kwanzaa. Many Kwanzaa celebrations feature a variety of foods. Learn about some favorites and try a new recipe.
- First Fruits- Kwanzaa celebrates the first fruits of the harvest. Tables are decorated with a variety of fruits and vegetables in hopes for a bountiful harvest. Pears are often included and an ear of corn for each child!
- Black Eyed Peas- Black Eyed peas symbolize good luck for the new year.
- Candied Yams- A sweet soulful dish of Candied Yams is the perfect addition to a Kwanzaa meal.
- Collard Greens- Collard Greens symbolize good fortune for your family and friends.
- Jerk Chicken- Jerk chicken is dry rubbed with a hot spice mixture of jerk spices. It is a style of cooking that originated in Jamaica.
Writing Prompts:
- What is your least favorite holiday cookie? What would you do to change it to make it better?
- Think about the word HOLIDAY. In your own words, write a definition of what a holiday is and what it stands for.
- If you could travel to another country to enjoy a holiday tradition, where would you go and why do you want to go there?
- Write a list of ten ways you could help a family in need during the holiday season. Think about ways you could help bring them joy.
- If you could create your own holiday in December to celebrate a December flavor or taste, what would it be? How would you celebrate it?
Book Recommendations
Here are a few book suggestions for young learners.
- A World of Cookies for Santa by M. E. Furman takes readers on a tour of holiday cookies around the world.
- Hannukah Cookies with Sprinkles by David A. Adler is an inspiring Hanukkah story and teaches children that small acts of kindness have big impacts. Sara learns that sharing food with others can help spread happiness and cheer.
- The Great Holiday Cookie Swap by Melanie Kyer is a fun holiday read. Eight cookies from around the world come together for a place on a holiday plate. Each cookie represents a country and traditions.
- What Do You Celebrate by Whitney Stewart is a nonfiction book about holidays and festivals around the world. Each celebration shares food that is part of the celebration and history of the special day. This book can be a great introduction to invite students to create a nonfiction poster about a holiday that they celebrate or a day that is important to them.
STEM in the Kitchen
Did you know Science, Math, and Technology are embedded into baking in many ways? Check out the experiements below while you do some holiday baking.
Learn and Discover at Home!
Use our Holidays Around the World Inspiration Board to guide some at home holiday fun and learning! Print it and you can display it and check things off as you go. Download it and discover ways to engage your taste buds and your mind by clicking on each picture or word. Once downloaded, each image is linked to a recipe or story and each word is linked to an activity or craft. Click here to download your copy!
Share your adventures with us!
Share what you learned or created from any of our activities on our social media! We’d also love to hear your ideas for what other content you’d like to see from TWKatHome. Share with us on Facebook (@TasteWiseKids) or Instagram (@tastewise_kids) and use the hashtags #TWKatHome and #myTWKsalad, or email info@tastewisekids.org.
