Making Vegetables Fun! Guess What’s in the Muffin? 

A nutritious breakfast is crucial for the overall well-being of students, and breakfast programs are a great opportunity to encourage vegetable consumption. One innovative breakfast coordinator took that idea to the next level, with a game that engages the senses. An approach like this not only encourages students to try new vegetables, but it also makes the process an enjoyable one.   

Realizing the need to make a large donation of spinach more appealing to students, the breakfast coordinator at Ruth Betts Community School in Flin Flon, Manitoba, devised a unique game. They baked a batch of bright green spinach muffins and sealed them in paper bags before handing them out to students. Instead of simply serving the muffins, they turned the experience into an interactive and exciting activity. 

With their eyes closed, students were given the opportunity to explore the muffins using their other senses. They touched, smelled and tasted the muffins, and were told to guess what they were made of. Finally, when they opened their eyes to see the colour, they were asked to figure out what made the muffins turn green. Their sleuthing eventually revealed that it was spinach, a discovery that was met with surprise and enthusiasm. Many students who might have been hesitant to try spinach before were excitedly enjoying it as part of their breakfast. 

The positive feedback from students confirmed the success of the spinach muffin game. Not only did they have fun, but they also found a new appreciation for a nutrient-rich vegetable.  

Activities like these have the potential to foster lifelong healthy eating habits. By associating vegetables with positive experiences, students are more likely to choose them willingly in the future. This approach goes beyond simply getting children to eat their vegetables; it instils a positive attitude toward nutritious foods. 

Discover our delicious spinach morning muffins recipe here: https://www.breakfastclubcanada.org/schools-corner/blog/spinach-morning-muffins