Exploring the World of Strawberries with Children – Activities and Printables

During the hot Summer season, what’s more refreshing than juicy, sweet strawberries? While strawberries are a delicious treat, they can also be a fun and educational way to engage your kids in hands-on activities.

Designed for preschool, kindergarten, and Grade 1 students, this comprehensive collection of strawberry 3-part cards, information cards, student booklets, and diagrams will take your young learners on a fascinating journey to explore the wonders of strawberries. From the intricate parts of a strawberry plant to its remarkable life cycle, we’ll delve into the fascinating facts and characteristics that make strawberries a beloved fruit. With these engaging resources, your students will develop their understanding of plants, botany, and where food comes from, while also cultivating critical thinking skills and a love for learning. And to make it even more fun, we’ll also share some strawberry-themed hands-on learning activities that will have your students engaging their senses and exploring the world around them.

Strawberry life cycle parts of facts Montessori nature printable 3 part cards information student booklets tracing coloring learning pack hands on activities (2)

The Strawberry Life Cycle:

Strawberries are a type of false fruit that grows on a perennial plant. The life cycle of a strawberry plant can be divided into three stages:

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Seed Germination: Strawberry seeds germinate into seedlings, which grow into small plants.

Vegetative Growth: The plants produce leaves and petioles, which help them absorb nutrients and energy from the sun.

Flowering and Fruiting: The plants produce flowers, which eventually develop into strawberries!

Parts of a Strawberry Plant:

Now that we’ve covered the life cycle, let’s get familiar with the different parts of a strawberry plant:

Leaves: These are the green, leafy parts that help the plant absorb sunlight and nutrients.

Petioles: These are the long, thin stalks that connect the leaves to the roots.

Roots: These are the underground parts that absorb water and nutrients from the soil.

Flowers: These are the delicate, reproductive structures that produce strawberries.

Strawberries: They grow from the crown’s receptacle and are borne on a long, thin stalk.

Strawberry Characteristics:

Strawberries are unique in many ways. Here are some interesting characteristics:

Pseudo-Fruits: Strawberries are actually a type of “false fruit” or “accessory fruit.” The fruit is formed from the receptacle of the flower, which contains many tiny seeds.

Multiple Achenes: Strawberries contain multiple achenes, which are actually tiny fruits in their own right!

Fragrance: Strawberries have a sweet, fragrant aroma that attracts bees and other pollinators.

Interesting Facts:

Did you know that strawberries have a rich history? Here are some fascinating facts:

Ancient Origins: Strawberries have been cultivated for over 2,000 years! They were first grown in ancient Greece and Rome.

Nutritional Powerhouse: Strawberries are packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and fiber – making them an excellent addition to your kids’ snack routine!

Strawberry themed hands on activities

Strawberry Sensory Bin: Fill a bin with dry sand and add artificial strawberries, leaves, and stems for a tactile experience. Hide small objects like beads, buttons, or small toys for your child to find and explore.

Finger Painting: Set up a space for your child to create strawberry-themed art using finger paints, paper, and stamps. This activity encourages creativity and fine motor skills.

Strawberry Building: Provide wooden blocks, straws, or other materials for your child to build their own strawberry-inspired structures.

Sensorial Activities

Smell and Taste: Provide fresh strawberries and have your child identify the sweet aroma and taste. Compare the scent and taste of different strawberry varieties.

Texture Exploration: Offer a variety of textures related to strawberries (e.g., leaves, stems, seeds) for your child to explore using their senses.

Practical Life Activities

Strawberry Washing: Set up a strawberry-washing station with a strainer and strawberries. Have your child practice gentle washing and rinsing techniques.

Strawberry Harvesting: Visit a strawberry farm during strawberry season to pick strawberries.

Language Activities

Draw It Out: Ask your students to draw a diagram of a strawberry plant, labeling its different parts.

Strawberry Vocabulary: Use our flashcards with strawberry-related vocabulary (e.g., “flower,” “roots”) and have your child match the words to pictures.

Strawberry Story Time: Read strawberry-themed books or create your own story using props and puppets.

Strawberry Writing: Provide paper and crayons for your child to write their name or draw strawberry-themed pictures.

Science Activities

Strawberry Life Cycle: Use our diagram illustrating the life cycle of a strawberry plant.

Strawberry Planting: Plant real strawberries in pots or in a garden bed with your child, discussing the importance of soil, sunlight, and water.

Strawberry Observations: Provide real strawberries for your child to observe and record their observations about the fruit’s texture, color, and smell.

Planting Activity: Have your students plant their own strawberry seeds or seedlings and observe their growth over time.

Strawberry Science Experiments: Design experiments to test the effects of light, water, and temperature on strawberry growth.

It is always beneficial to encourage curiosity, exploration, and creativity. By incorporating these activities into your daily routine, you’ll be nurturing a lifelong love of learning and discovery in your child.

And there you have it – a sweet adventure into the world of strawberries! By exploring the life cycle, parts, characteristics, and interesting facts about strawberries, your students will develop a deeper appreciation for this delicious food.

Parts of a Strawberry Life Cycle Facts Pack

$6.20

This comprehensive set of strawberry printables is perfect for preschool, kindergarten, and Grade 1 students who are curious about where food comes from and want to learn more about botany. With these colorful and engaging printables, students will explore the life cycle of strawberries. They’ll learn about the different parts of a strawberry plant. You’ll…

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About Anastasia - Anastasia is an early childhood teacher and the founder of Montessori Nature - a blog about Montessori living and learning and nature-based explorations. With many years of experience working in a Montessori environment and homeschooling her children, she directed her passion for all things Montessori and nature into creating educational resources. You can learn more here and browse her printables on Teachers Pay Teachers.