True, it's no trip to Disneyland, but taking your kids to the grocery store can be fun -- and educational. Try these tips the next time you're low on milk and bread.
Before you go
Create a just-for-kids project before you go. Whether you're making a lemonade stand, cutting stamps from potatoes or creating a shaving-cream sculpture, ask your child to add the necessary supplies to the grocery list. Looking for "his" special items will help keep interest high.
Plan ahead. Schedule your trip when everyone is well-rested. Also, try to eat a healthy snack before you go. It'll brighten everyone's moods and make that candy aisle a little bit more resistible. Didn't have time for a snack? Plan to make the grocery store's bakery your first stop and get bagels for everyone.
Ask questions. On the way to the store, talk about your grocery list. Ask younger children "what shape are oranges?" and "what color is a box of Cheerios?" Recognizing shapes, colors and logos can be a great pre-reading exercise.
At the store
Scout out the kid-size carts. Many stores now have carts sized just for the younger set. Your child will have fun adding "his" items to his own cart.
Make learning fun. Preschoolers love to match items with coupons. Once you're in the correct aisle, give your child a hint about where the item is. Older kids can help compare unit prices to find the best value. Show your child the price-per-pound (or other unit of measure) sticker on the shelf below each item and explain how he can use the information to find the best buy. Little ones also love to pull the service number at the deli counter.
Keep little hands busy. One mom I know made a "book" of foods for her toddler that they might see at the grocery store. She cut out photos of foods from magazines and inserted them into small Ziploc bags and stapled the ends together. She only allowed her child to use the book in the store while in the cart, so it made the book more special. Her daughter loved to point out the foods from the book as they walked through the store.
Try grocery store math lessons. Before you do your shopping get ideas for wonderful "math at the grocery store" lessons for kids in grades K through 4, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Education.
Give your child choices. Asking "Should we get peas or green beans?" teaches decision-making skills and makes your child feel important.
Page 1 of 2 -- Find more ways to make grocery shopping a fun, educational experience for both you and your children on page 2
