Slap It! Card Game: food Group Theme
Recommended Grade Level:
Type of Resource: PDF
Number of Pages: 14
Coordinating Activities
Slap It! Card Game: Food Group Theme
- The Junk Food Card Game: a food group matching game played like “Old Maid”
- Slap It! food group game with center cards and playing cards
- Food group cards: dairy, grains, protein, fruit and vegetables
- Instructions for both games
Print on cardstock so the pictures do not show through the back of the cards.
Required Materials:
- Paper, printer and ink (cardstock works well)
- Laminator
- Paper cutter or scissors
Standards for Food Groups and Sorting
These card games support early learning standards connected to sorting foods into groups and vocabulary.
Common Core State Standards
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.5.A: Sort common objects into categories (e.g., shapes, foods) to gain a sense of the concepts the categories represent. Kids sort each food into its food group.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1: Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups. Kids take turns and talk about each food.
Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines
- PK4.II.D.1: Child understands and uses a wide variety of words to label and describe people, places, things and actions. Kids name each food and its group.
Virginia Standards of Learning
- English K.RV.1.F: Use newly learned words and phrases in discussions and speaking activities. Kids use the food group words.
Slap It! Card Game: Food Group Theme gives preschool through first grade kids two fun card games for learning the food groups.
In Slap It!, kids flip a food group card and race to slap a food that belongs in that group. In the Junk Food game, kids make food group pairs and try not to get stuck with the junk food card.
Use the games during a nutrition or healthy eating unit.
How to Use Slap It! Card Game: Food Group Theme
- Print the cards on cardstock and cut them apart.
- Slap It!: place the center cards face down and deal the playing cards.
- Flip a center card and slap a food from that group.
- Junk Food game: deal the cards, make pairs and pass cards like Old Maid.
- The player left with the junk food card loses the round.
Health Unit: Play during a nutrition lesson.
Partner Game: Play Junk Food with 2-4 players.
Easy Ways to Differentiate These Food Group Games
Every group has a mix of vocabulary and game skills. These simple changes keep the activity familiar while meeting each child where they are.
For Children Who Need More Support:
- Start with two food groups.
- Name each food together.
- Play without racing.
- Use real food or play food.
For On-Level Practice:
- Play both games.
- Name each food group.
- Sort all the cards.
- Take turns.
For an Extra Challenge:
- Plan a meal with every food group.
- Add new food cards.
- Write the food group for each card.
- Explain why a food belongs.
For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support:
- Name each picture together and give plenty of wait time.
- Accept pointing, gestures, AAC or any communication method the child already uses.
- Use play food with the cards.
Slap It! Card Game: Food Group Theme Is Perfect For:
- Preschool and pre-K
- Kindergarten
- First grade
- Nutrition units
- Small-group instruction
- Special education
- ELL and multilingual learners
- Homeschool
