Apple Day | EYFS & KS1 Activity Ideas

**Note: This page is for educational inspiration and is not officially affiliated with Apple Day. Apple Day is an annual celebration of apples and orchards, celebrated across the UK, typically on October 21st. It was initiated by Common Ground in 1990. For official information and to learn more about this celebration, please consult the Common Ground website (www.commonground.org.uk/apple-day).

Understanding Apple Day in EYFS & KS1

An apple a day! 🍏🍎 Apple Day is an annual celebration of apples and orchards, primarily observed across the UK, typically on October 21st. Initiated by the charity Common Ground in 1990, it aims to celebrate the richness and diversity of apples, both culturally and ecologically. It's a recognition of the importance of orchards to our landscape and heritage, promoting the enjoyment of fresh, local produce and highlighting the environmental benefits of traditional fruit growing.

For early years settings, nurseries, preschools, childminders, and Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms, this day provides a wonderfully tangible and sensory theme for exploring healthy eating, where food comes from, nature, seasons (autumn/fall), and local produce. It's about engaging children with a familiar and beloved fruit, understanding its journey from tree to plate, and appreciating the natural world around them. This day offers fantastic planning ideas and inspiration for engaging activities that truly resonate with young minds, making learning about nutrition, agriculture, and environmental awareness both delicious and educational.

Why Is Teaching About Apples & Food Important for Young Children?

Integrating lessons about apples and food into your practice with young children (aged 0-7) is important for fostering their understanding of healthy living, connection to nature, and appreciation for the food chain. Apples are a versatile and accessible fruit, making them an excellent starting point for broader food education.

• Healthy Eating: Apples are a great example of a healthy snack, promoting discussions about fruit and vegetables as part of a balanced diet.

• Where Food Comes From: Exploring apples allows children to learn about trees, orchards, and the process of growing food, connecting them to agriculture and the role of a farmer.

• Sensory Exploration: Apples offer rich opportunities to explore senses through taste, smell, touch, and sight (different colours, textures).

• Seasonal Awareness: Apple Day in autumn naturally links to discussions about seasons, harvest, and changes in nature.

• Practical Skills: Activities involving apples (e.g., cutting, counting) develop fine motor skills and early maths concepts.

Engaging Apple & Food Activities for Apple Day (0-7 Year Olds)

Make Apple Day a truly crisp and captivating experience with these planning ideas and activities perfect for EYFS and KS1 children. The focus is on discovery, healthy choices, and celebrating this wonderful fruit! Many of these early years and year 1 activities can be supported by the extensive range of printable resources we have available on our 'Food', 'On the Farm', and 'Harvest Festival' pages.

Here's some inspiration for exploring apples in your setting: (Please use your own discretion and knowledge of your children to ensure appropriateness of each activity and safety concerning any materials given and activity undertaken.)

• Apple Tasting & Sensory Exploration: Provide different varieties of apples (e.g., red, green, yellow). Have children taste, describe textures, smell, and compare them.

• Apple Art & Craft: Children can paint or draw apples, create apple prints by cutting apples in half, or make collages using different coloured papers. Our 'Fruit & Vegetables - A4 Colouring Sheets' include apples for colouring.

• Where Do Apples Grow?: Discuss how apples grow on trees in orchards. Connect this to the work of a farmer using our 'Farmer Pack'.

• Farm Shop Role-Play: Set up a pretend 'Farm Shop Role-Play Pack' where apples and other fruits can be sold.

• Healthy Eating Focus: Emphasise apples as a healthy snack. Use 'Healthy Eating - Display Banner', 'Healthy Plate - Balanced Diet Posters', and '5 a Day - Poster/Chart'. Children can 'Draw a Healthy Meal' that includes fruit.

• Fruit & Vegetable Recognition: Use general fruit and vegetable resources to help children recognise apples amongst other healthy foods: 'Fruit & Vegetables - Vegetable Posters', 'Fruit and Vegetables' Banner', 'Fruit & Vegetable 2-Piece Puzzles', 'Fruit and Vegetable Size Ordering Cards', 'Fruit & Vegetables - Description Match Game/Activity'.

• Numeracy with Apples: Incorporate counting and number recognition using apples. Using real apple for 1:1 correspondence can be a powerful way to solidify the concept.

• Food Diaries: Encourage children to record their fruit and vegetable intake using 'Fruit & Vegetable Diary' or 'My Healthy Eating Diary Booklet'.

• Dental Health Link: Discuss how healthy foods, like apples, are better for our teeth. Use 'Colour the Foods That Are Better for Your Teeth' and 'Cut and Stick Good Vs Bad For Teeth'. Our 'Dentist Pack' can also be used for related role-play.

• Harvest Festival Connection: Link Apple Day to the broader theme of harvest. Explore our 'Harvest Festival'.

• Story Time: Read books about apples, farms, or healthy eating. You could even read 'The Enormous Turnip' (from the connected pages) and discuss growing vegetables.

• Physical Activity: Include songs or activities like 'Dingle Dangle Scarecrow - Activity Pack' which link to farm themes and movement.

• Explore Related Pages: For more comprehensive support, visit our dedicated pages:

  • 'On the Farm'

  • 'Harvest Festival'

These activities offer great inspiration for making Apple Day a memorable and impactful experience in your early years and Key Stage One setting, fostering nutrition awareness, connection to nature, and an appreciation for healthy, local food.

To explore ideas surrounding additional early years events, please visit our 'Special Dates Calendar' page.

Printable resources to support teaching & learning surrounding: ‘Apple Day’

Additional Pages you may like to explore which cover relevant &/or Connected themes

More Early Years Event Pages for October

Explore special dates (including awareness dates, festivals, celebrations & events) relevant to your EYFS & KS1 children

Browse our ‘Special Dates Calendar’ page using the link below. You’ll find calendars for every month of the year to aid your planning!

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Disclaimer:
This page is for educational purposes only and is intended to support early years and primary practitioners with ideas and resources related to 'Apple Day'. We are not officially affiliated with or endorsed by Common Ground, which initiated this day. We do not claim any rights to specific trademarks or official materials associated with this event. For official information and to learn more about this celebration, please visit the Common Ground website at www.commonground.org.uk.