Appetite to Play

Appetite to Play supports early years providers, parents and caregivers to promote and encourage physical activity and healthy eating.

About Us

For Early Years Providers

Useful resources for working with young children

Food and Feeding

Physical Activities

Developing Policies

Recommended Practices

Planning and Assessment

For Families

Helpful information and fun ideas for eating and playing at home

Recipes/meal ideas

Games and Activities

Food and Feeding Videos

Physical Activity Videos

Positive Mealtimes

FEATURED RESOURCES

Fruit or veggie

Fruit or Vegetable?

Flavour game

The Flavour Game

Food label under a magnifying glass

Reading Food Labels

Lets make splash balls

Let’s Make: Splash Balls

Brain development

Supporting Brain Development

Smiley Faced eggs

Smiley Faced Eggs

Food allergens

Early Introduction to Allergens

I Spy

I Spy Movement

Cucumbers

Cucumber Avocado Soup

Noodle Ring Toss

Let’s Make: Pool Noodle Ring Toss

pool noodle

Let's Make: Pool Noodle Rings

Climate Change

Climate Change & Food Choices

Play at heights outside of your centre

Rough and tumble play

Rough and tumble play

Choosing Carbohyrate Foods

Choosing Carbohydrate Foods

A close up picture of an abacus.

Let's Make a Pool Noodle Abacus

Risky Play v2

What is 'risky play'?

tuna roll up

Tuna Roll-Ups

Mindful eating

Mindful Eating

Play with chalk

Perception of play and outdoor play

Mexican eggs

Mexican Eggs

Loose Parts

More on loose parts

Brown bear Brown Bear

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Learning about fish

Learning about Fish

Traffic

What is traffic?

Child drinking water in a kid's cup.

Hydration for Kids

Cat Mouse

Predator and prey

Alphabet Exercises

Alphabet Exercises

Pumpkins

Healthful Halloween

Mac and cheese

Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

Herb garden

Herb Verbiage

Boy climbing

Risk versus hazard

Choc mousse

Chocolate Avocado Mousse

Sandwich face

Sandwich Faces

Kitchen Conversion

Guide to Kitchen Conversions

How much stuff

How Much Stuff!

Operation

Operation

Kids in a line

Please Crocodile, May We Cross the River

Snow golf

Snow Throw Golf

Cereal Jewelry

Cereal Jewelry

Nature-nastics

Nature-nastics

Eating more veggies

Adding More Veggies!

Birdfeeder

Birdfeeders

Camouflage string

Camouflage Strings

Eat the rainbow

Eating the Rainbow

COVID resources

Online resources related to COVID-19

Apple crisp

Apple Crisp

Child with stick

Pick up sticks

Find and compare

Find and compare

Guacamole

Guacamole

Potato soup

Poppa’s Potato Soup

Kid choreography

Kid Choreography

Pumpkin Smoothie

Pumpkin Smoothie

Turkey Pot Pie

Turkey Pot Pie

Chicks

Learning about Chickens

hanging upside down

The senses of movement

Mini Mexi Cups

Mini Mexi Cups

boy climbing

Observation based supervision

Goats

Learning about Goats

DIY Balance Beam

DIY Balance Beam

Horchata

Horchata

Pick it up

Pick it up, put it down

Learning about crabs

Learning about Crabs

Make MYLK

Make-Your-Own-Mylk

Strings and things

Strings and things

Will they wake?

Will they wake?

Camping

Celebrate BC By Camping

Finger food

Finger Food

Balance the balls

Balance the balls

lettuce wrap

Lettuce Wraps

Bubbles and sticks

Bubbles and Sticks

Omega 3 foods

The Importance of DHA

Roll the dice

Roll Your Moves

Lets make dice

Let's Make: Activity Dice

Boerenkool

Boerenkool

Games with tape

Games with Masking Tape

Adult influence on childs eating

Your Influence On Your Child’s Eating Behaviour

Dragon Boat

Dragon Boat Festival

What am I?

What am I?

Moroccan chickpeas

Moroccan Chickpeas

Kids running

Do You Prefer?

Balloon tennis

Balloon Tennis

Let’s Make Tennis Racquets

Easy Peasy Pancakes

Easy Peasy Pancakes

Peanut butter and Banana Quesadilla

Peanut Butter Banana Quesadilla

Strawberry Chia

Strawberry Chia Pudding

Jump in

Jump in, jump out, jump on

Games at home

Games for At Home

Active screen time

Physically Active Screen Time

Crumble

Rhubarb Raspberry Crumble

Remote control

Remote control

Frozen fish

Frozen fish!

Vegetable and Fruit Storage

Vegetable & Fruit Storage

Stormy seas

Stormy seas

Learn about ice

Learning About Ice

Bugs in a rug

Bugs in a rug!

Clap and move

Clap and Move

Cabbage and apples

Braised Cabbage & Apples

Time to Eat poster

Appetite to Play Poster Set

Play in the early years

Motor development and play in the early years

Grated carrot salad

Grated Carrot Salad

Raise the Top

Raise the Top

Beet smoothie

Valentine’s Beet Smoothie

Songs with actions

Songs with Actions

Sit pass play

Sit, Pass, Play!

Baked tofu

Baked Tofu

To Fly or Not

To Fly or Not to Fly!

Broiled grapefruit

Broiled Grapefruit

Vary your veggies

Vary your Veggies

Baby eating

DIY Baby Food

Spiders web

Spider's Web!

Books that move

Books that Move and Groove!

Lid Link

Lid Link

Movement to Music

Discovery baskets

Discovery Baskets

Autumn Scavenger Hunt

Autumn Scavenger Hunt

Dark leafy greens

Get Your Greens!

Helping children play

Helping Children Play: The Adult Role

Kids eating at daycare

Meals and Snacks from Home

Collecting leaves

Leaf Collector

Roasted Squash

Simple Roasted Squash

Congee

Congee (Jook)

Vital Vinaigrette

Vital Vinaigrette

Nursery Rhyme Circuit

Nursery Rhyme Circuit

Treasure box

Treasure Box

Kids at daycare

Play-Based Learning Continuum

Cruising Circuit

Cruising Circuit

Simple Sauteed Greens

Simple Sautéed Greens

Jack in the Box

Jack in the Box

Here there everywhere

Here, There, Everywhere!

Salmon pasta salad

Salmon Pasta Salad

Physically Active Parent

Being a Physically Active Parent

Plant based protein

Plant-based Proteins for Children

Pumpkin Bowling

Pumpkin Bowling

Feeding Toddlers

Feeding Toddlers

Kids hopping

Hop, Hop, Hop

Mexican Corn on the Cob

Mexican Corn on the Cob

Summer Salad

Summer Salad

Choosing Milk

Choosing Milk

Picky Eating

Underwater moves

Underwater Moves

Peach toast

Yummy Peach Toast

Pool noodles

Noodle Hockey

Build a fort

Build a Fort

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Loose Parts Play

Loose Parts Play

Healthy Grilling

Food themed decorations

Food-Themed Decorations

Festive Fruity Treats

Festive Fruity Treats

Baby with toy

Do You See What I See?

Baked apples

Baked Apples

24 Hour Movement Guidelines

Promoting the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines in your Centre

Easy granola

Easy Granola

Overnight Oats

Overnight Oats

Mud kitchen

Mud Kitchen

Mothers Day

Mother's Day!

Promoting Unstructured Play

Baby on colored mats

Floor Squares

Egg Muffins

Egg Muffins

Earth Day

Love the Earth: Eat Legumes

Dietitian access

Accessing Dietitians

Healthy Poutine

Healthy Poutine

Let's Make a Story Walk!

Canada Day

Toddlers in EY setting with colored balls

Where is it?

Japanese rice ball

Onigiri

Split Pea Soup

Split Pea Soup

Lion in grass

Save the Savannah

Colored balls

Feed the Face

Feeding Animals

Broccoli in ladle

Broccoli or Cauliflower Soup

Girl with arms up

Can you...??

Children in circle game EY Centre

Carrot Jump

Child coloring

Let's Make Colouring Pages

Kids in a circle

Vegetables and Fruits

Parent making meal with daughter

Three Bean Chili

Date energy balls

Energy Balls

Frozen fruit popsicles

Chocolate Fruit Pops

Zucchini slices on plate

Zucchini Ribbons

Peaches

Bundles of Fun with Peaches & Plums!

Family Day!

Cheese Fondue

Cheese Fondue

Sliced orange that can be used for making infused water.

Infused Water

Child looking through hoola hoop that can be used to play Jack and Jill

Jack and Jill

Arbor Day

Arbor Day

Chinese New Year_Samll

Chinese New Year

Children playing in snow

Carnival de Quebec

A picture of tacos on a plate.

Terrific Turkey Taco

Playground setting to play "Connect to a..."

Connect to a...

Fruit, vegetables, eggs, and chicken

Recommended Practices

Introduction to Healthy Eating Recommended Practices

Mango lassi in a glass

Mango Lassi

Child playing Sleeping Giants

Sleeping Giants

A group of children all reaching over their heads as though stretching

Recommended Practices

Introduction to Physical Activity Recommended Practices

Treasure Hunt

Treasure Hunt

Sleeping Bunny game

Sleeping Bunnies

Child with pumpkin

Squash or Pumpkin Fritters

Children listening.

Where Are You?

Bannock.

Bannock

Child on ice rink wearing skates

Let’s Skate

Child playing in puddle.

Puddle Jumping

Cotton balls on light blue background.

Snow Storm

Child "freezing" in a plank.

Freeze!

Beanbag like items on the ground to play Pathfinder

Pathfinder

Apples

Apple Dutch Pancake

Child drinking 3.25 homogenized milk

Fat is Good for Children

Learning about food from elders

Family Style Dining

Family-Style Dining

Children playing Keep the Bucket Full.

Keep the Bucket Full

Frog on a leaf.

Frogs to Cheetahs

Kimchi in a bowl

Fermented Foods and Probiotics

Rain boots, umbrella and falling rain.

I am falling rain

Cabbage that can be used in Black Bean Fuente.

Black Bean Fuente

Child eating food with family at dinner table.

Children Need Iron-Rich Foods

Adult and child looking at map.

Orienteering

Black beans

Black Bean Dip

Children playing Choo-Choo Clean-Up

Choo-Choo Clean-Up

Child jumping

1, 2, 3, Jump!

Cat outside the Halloween moon.

Cat Skeleton

A picture of a cornucopia

Thanksgiving

Child on a tricycle.

APPLE Model

Tomatoes on a vine.

Bundles of Fun with Tomatoes!

Pieces of paper that can be used for "Float the Pond"

Float the Pond

Blueberries in small cartons.

Whole Grain Blueberry Muffins

Ricotta cheese on a cracker with spinach.

Homemade Ricotta Cheese

Kids running around and chasing bubbles.

24 Hour Movement Guidelines

Wooden bucket on colourful panels.

Fishing Frenzy

Fruit frenzy ice cream in a bowl.

Fruit-Frenzy Ice Cream

Child eating watermelon.

Bundles of Fun with Watermelon!

Red starfish.

One Fish, Two Fish, Starfish, Blue Fish

Children exploring a garden.

Birds, Bees & Butterflies

Child playing with bucket full of water.

Water Wonder

Family going on a picnic together.

Going on a Picnic!

Children running inside in a designated play space.

Queen/King Bees on Flowers

Child at the seaside.

At the Seaside

blocks to designate fruits when playing "Fruit Salad"

Fruit Salad

Peaches on a table.

Summer Food Safety

Different types of beans

BC Day

Girls dancing to dancing bees game

Dancing Bees

Side walk chalk being picked up by a child.

One Piece of Chalk, 8 Active Games

Fruits in a rainbow format.

Snacking on Vegetables & Fruit : A Rainbow of Choices

A variety of whole grain breads on a table.

Go for Grains

Little girl running and kicking ball in park.

Teaching the Fundamental Movement Skills

Fish made out of fruit on a white plate.

Salad People and Animals

Colourful pom poms on white surface

Let's Make Pom Pom Hockey Sticks

Child playing in playground.

Getting the most out of Playground Time

granola boar surrounded by ingredients.

Yum Bite Bars

Asparagus spears on a table.

Asparagus Trees

Child finding things in a play box.

Find and Discover

Child reaching for orange ball.

Egg Roll

Parent and child cooking together.

Teaching Children Cooking Skills

Child eating apple.

Eating Well on a Limited Income

An array of colour swatches.

Colour Swatch Match

Salmon dip in bowl.

Salmon Dip

Walk on the wild side

Walk on the Wild Side

Child and caregiver looking at carrot growing in the garden.

Gardening with Kids

Parent and child fishing.

Let’s Go Camping!

Child stretching out arms to the side, standing in grass.

Growing Flower

Child crawling in the grass.

Outdoor Discovery

Parent cooking with children.

Minimizing Food Waste

Close up photo of a sombrero.

Cinco de Mayo (May 5th)

Two children playing on floor.

Farmer and the Bunny

All around the Mulberry Bush

All Around the Mulberry Bush

Parent and child cutting vegetables in kitchen.

Bean Heads

Ideas of pantry staples with fruit.

Pantry Staples

Child playing on monkey bars outside.

Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years

Fish cakes on plate.

Fish Cakes

Scarf that can be used to play Squirrel Tails.

Squirrel Tails

Earth and the moon.

Earth Day Activities (April 22nd)

felt squares of different colours

Rainbow Scatter

Kale on a kitchen counter.

Kale Chips

Children running

Granny’s Footsteps

Children looking at plants in a garden.

Adding Green for St. Patrick’s Day

Someone pouring water into child's glass.

Sugar is Sweet and Drinks are too

Chopsticks

Kids dressed up as superheroes for a "non-food" reward.

10 Fun "Non Food" Rewards

Child and caregiver making a snow boulder.

Snow Castle Relay

Snowman

Spoonful of Snow

Child washing hands with caregiver.

Oh, Before I Eat My Meals

Child helping caregiver serve food from a bowl.

Pouring and Serving

Children playing "Snow throw".

Snow Throw

An array of spices and herbs.

“Dahl” (Lentils)

Rollin

Rollin’

Swoop and scoop

Swoop and Scoop

Child playing in snow with caregiver.

The Hunt for Red & White December

Child pushing grocery cart in aisle.

Pretend Grocery Store

Family eating a meal together.

Fuzzy Peach-Crabby Apple

Children playing in snow.

Snow Play: Tricky Tracks

Adult and child running in the snow.

Sunshine and Snowflake Tag

Pizza dough and rolling pin on a table

Pizza Pizzazz

Children playing in the snow.

Rhyme Time (Snowflakes, Snowflakes)

snow balls

Snow Balls

Sweet potatoes growing on farm.

Sweet Potato Soup

Girl stirring baking ingredients in a red bowl.

Making Baking & Bake Sales Delicious and Nutritious

Picture of an instrument that jingles (red with gold bells)

Let's Make Jingle Stick

Vegetables on a cutting board.

Seasonally Available Fruits and Vegetables in British Columbia

Baby with caregiver.

Marketing to Kids

Volcanoes and Craters

Volcanoes and craters

Baby eating soft food

Baby’s First Foods

Mother with baby eating strawberries at a table.

Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibility in Feeding

Family eating a meal together.

Talking During Meals and Snacks

A small child is outside and playing with balloons.

Hot Potato

Baby eating food with a spoon.

Picky or Fussy Eating

Child eating food and showing teeth

Preventing Tooth Decay in Children

Fruit and vegetable platter

About Juice

banana muffins

Banana Applesauce Muffins

veg with dilly dip

Vegetables with Dilly Dip

ribbons

Let's Make Ribbons

Maracas

Let's Make Maracas

fruit

10 Healthy Lunch Ideas

Family making a recipe together

Tips for Selecting New Recipes

Food selection on table

Developing and Implementing a Healthy Eating Policy

Three bean bags on display

Bean bag golf

Bread with a star made out of food

Ways to Communicate With Families About Healthy Eating

carrot soup

Carrot Soup with Cumin

vegetable minestrone soup

Vegetable Minestrone Soup

Child in front of net, holding a soccer ball.

Goalie

Early years provider teaching children about food

Being a Role Model for Healthy Eating

veg stirfry

Veggie Stir Fry

Child with pink balloons

Balloons

Kids reading a book together

Healthy Eating Books

Fruit and vegetables at a market stall

Choking Prevention

apple sauce

Applesauce

Colourful plastic cups on a white floor and background.

Catching cups

colourful soft ball on a white background

Volleyball spikes

Cooking with Kids

oatmeal pancakes

Oatmeal Pancakes

Toddlers in frog position

Leap frog

salsa

Salsa

Obstacle course

Obstacle course

fruit and yogurt parfait

Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits

Fish made from watermelon and blueberries

Healthy Celebrations

balancing

Creative balances

Thumbs up boy

Family Tips: Helpful Online Resources for Physical Activity

colourful chalk resting on the pavement. A child's hand reaching for one piece of chalk.

River bank jump

fruit fondue

Fruit Fondue with Yogurt Sauce

Child with blue ball in her hands.

Bounce it

balance bean bag

My friend beanie

freeze dance

Freeze dance

Family eating together at the table

Facilitating a Positive Meal Time Environment

Hiking in the winter with the whole family

Family Tips: Active Parent Role Modelling

Toddler feeding play food to a doll

Food Safety in Child Care Facilities

fruit smoothie

Fruity Smoothie

Adult male and boy high fiving

Food Free Rewards

Child is on a pink yoga mat doing a yoga pose.

Yoga poses

Woman breastfeeding child.

Ways to Support Breastfeeding and Infant Nutrition

ribbons

Wriggly ribbons

Child with glass of water

Healthy Drinks for Children

hummus

Hummus

walk and talk

Walk and talk

Infant developing movement skills of reaching and crawling

Introducing Fundamental Movement Skills

Infant crawling towards toy

Family Tips: Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines

yogurt pops

Yogurt Pops

A variety of foods that are green in colour on a white background.

Colour Days

pots and pans

Join the band

Physical Activity Equipment List

Young boy running

Let's fly

Healthy snack for all ages

Healthy Snacks

Child watering vegetables that are growing in a garden.

Who's Your Mama

Children with early years provider playing in a circle

Developing and Implementing a Physical Activity Policy

Paper bag on a desk with an apple beside it.

Mystery Box

cloud catching

Cloud catching

veg mac and cheese

Mixed Veggie Mac and Cheese

Young boy with Down Syndrome being lifted up

Types of Physical Activity

Young children with fruit and vegetables

Creating a Bundle of Fun - Using Themes to Incorporate Food Literacy

laundry basket

Laundry basket ball

carrott bran muffins

Carrot Bran Muffins

knock down

Knock down

Radish made of play dough on white background.

Play Dough Food Choices

fruit pizza

Fruit Pizza

stick and ball

Push around

Kids playing in a preschool physical activity environment

Facilitating a Positive Physical Activity Environment

Girls picking berries

Bundles of Fun with Blueberries

Picture of apples

Food Collage

mini pizza

Mini Pizzas

Girl and grandfather in the park

Being a Role Model for Physical Activity

hula hoops

Loop the hoop

Two boys fishing

Bundles of Fun with Fish

A photo of crayons of different colours.

Alphabet Book

A picture of lentils

Placemats

Little girl playing the drum

Let's Make Balloon Drum

Early years provider showing a young girl the vegetable garden

Bundles of Fun with Beans

Infant girl crawling after balls

Managing Screen Time

bubble chase

Bubble chase

Bean bags for playing active games

Let's Make Bean Bags

bean burrito

Bean Burritos

Active family playing at the park

Family Tips: Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviours

Two boys crawling along a ledge

Legs are heavy, legs are light

animal walk

Animal walk

A basket of vegetables.

Vegetable Show and Tell

potato wedges

Oven Baked Potato Wedges

Activity in muddy puddles

Being Active in Different Locations

bubbles

Let's Make Bubble Wand

Child jumping in the air and twisting.

Twist and Turn

Mother and daughter reading a book together

Physical Activity Book List

Vegetable quesadilla

Bean and Veggie Quesadilla

Fruit salad game

Fruit Salad Game

rope

Follow the trail

apple chips

Apple Chips

Family playing together

Ways to communicate with families about physical activity

Babies dancing

Dance with me

pumpkins

Pumpkins, Pumpkins

Canada's Food Guide

Family Tips: Parents/Caregivers as a Healthy Role Model

Children running

Physical Activity Definitions

A picture of huckleberry

Traditional Food Smiles

simon says

Simon says shape shifting

cauliflower popcorn

Cauliflower Popcorn

Foods that are common allergens

Be Allergy Safe

Children running and being active

Family Tips: Physical Activity Definitions

Kids playing outside

Family Tips: Promoting Physical Activity at Home

Smiling girl in motion

Facilitating Active Free Play or Unstructured Physical Activity

looking up

Lift and Look

Family eating a meal together.

Family Food Pictures

Child holding a ball.

Hit the Target

pit pocket

Fill your pockets — Pita Pockets

Family Tips: Lunch Ideas for the Whole Family

Picture of spring rolls being made on table.

Traditional Food Songs

screen time couch

Defining Screen Time

Two children running outside on grass.

Cat and Mouse

baby reaching

Indoor Playground

Healthy snack for all ages

Family Tips for Packing Healthy Snacks and Meals

bubbles

Let's Make Bubbles

pizza dough

Pizza Dough

chocolate chip cookies

Best-Ever Chocolate Cookies

Yellow bell pepper and rice cakes

Recommended Practices

1. OFFER A VARIETY OF FOODS FROM CANADA'S FOOD GUIDE FOR MEALS AND SNACKS.

Children's feet jumping on a trampoline

Recommended Practices

1. PROVIDE FACILITATED AND UNSTRUCTURED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND OUTDOOR PLAY EVERYDAY.

Children dancing

Recommended Practices

2. INTRODUCE FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT SKILLS INTO ACTIVE PLAY EVERYDAY.

Children rolling on exercise balls

Recommended Practices

3. CREATE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SPACES THAT SUPPORT A VARIETY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES.

Child drinking a glass of water

Recommended Practices

2. MAKE WATER AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

Child looking at screen

Recommended Practices

4. LIMIT RECREATIONAL SCREEN TIME AND PROLONGED SITTING

Woman breastfeeding a toddler

Recommended Practices

3. SUPPORT INFANT FEEDING.

Adult and child playing with basketballs

Recommended Practices

5. EDUCATE AND EMPOWER STAFF TO MODEL AND PROMOTE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY HABITS.

Child's hand reaching for a banana

Recommended Practices

4. SUPPORT CHILDREN TO BECOME GOOD EATERS.

Adult and child climbing in a playground

Recommended Practices

6. COMMUNICATE REGULARLY WITH FAMILIES AND PROVIDE EDUCATION ABOUT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND PHYSICAL LITERACY

Washing Food

Recommended Practices

5. OFFER SAFE FOOD AND BEVERAGES.

Children's chairs around a table

Recommended Practices

6. CREATE A PHYSICAL SPACE THAT SUPPORTS HEALTHY EATING.

Children in a row, sitting at their desks, with early years provider. Some are raising their hands.

Recommended Practices

7. DEVELOP POLICIES ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, PHYSICAL LITERACY AND SCREEN TIME.

People smiling and all looking at one computer screen

Recommended Practices

7. EDUCATE STAFF TO MODEL AND PROMOTE POSITIVE HABITS.

Two women speaking to each other

Recommended Practices

8. COMMUNICATE REGULARLY WITH FAMILIES AND SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT FOOD AND HEALTHY EATING.

A hand holding a pencil writing in a notebook

Recommended Practices

9. DEVELOP POLICIES FOR FOOD AND FEEDING.