KidSpark Food Basket inspires young minds through play

Sometimes, when staff at the Ontario Science Centre’s KidSpark Food Basket play area are walking through the space at the end of the day, they will find (fake) fish and lobsters “set free” in the water play section, where kids can splash and play in a big grey basin filled to the brim with water.

That’s just one example of how kids learn about food at KidSpark’s Food Basket—although it might not seem like food-based education at first glance.

It is though, says Andrea Elliott, Senior Manager, Programs & Strategy for President’s Choice Children’s Charity, which worked with the Science Centre to reimagine KidSpark’s food-related activities in 2019. “Children are making the connection between the food they eat and their environment,” she explains. “It’s the first step to knowing where your food comes from, which we know leads to empowering children to grow and cook for themselves.”

For President’s Choice Children’s Charity, working on a new and improved Food Basket and Food Truck Alley at KidSpark was an important part of its mission, ensuring Canadian children are empowered with the skills to discover food. This space provided an opportunity to reach younger children who aren’t currently participating in the charity’s school programs — plus, collaborating with the Science Centre to come up with the most interesting and exciting activities was a fun opportunity to offer kids food knowledge through play-based learning.

And it’s not just about the fish. The Food Basket and Food Truck Alley includes a flower and spice stand, where kids can sniff real spices, a kid-sized farmer’s market that’s stocked with faux fruits, veggies, eggs and even pickles for all their grocery shopping needs and an outdoor pizza oven where kids can play chef. They can even ‘try’ food from different cultures thanks to the food trucks. Hello, sushi lunch!

There are tons of science behind these activities. Research shows that kids learn best through playing; it can help them develop their social skills, become more independent and begin to make sense of the world around them. They use their five senses, learn how to problem solve and even develop their decision-making skills—all of which provide a solid foundation for academic-style education.

“Play-based learning is ideal for teaching younger children about food, and in particular concepts related to growing and cooking food. Children explore and experiment, helping to develop ideas and knowledge,” Elliott says. “In a play-based environment, kids are motivated to take ownership and responsibility for their own learning.”

So, if parents are looking for fun indoor activities to do with their little ones this winter, it’s worth taking a trip to the Ontario Science Centre.

Visit https://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/what-s-on/exhibitions/kidspark for more information and 3D Tour of the KidSpark experience.