Summer Language Learning: Fun Food Vocabulary Activities for Kids

Interactive games, tasty words, and playful ways to grow your child’s language skills this summer

Summer is the perfect time to take learning outside the classroom, and into the kitchen, garden, or picnic basket! At Little Chewz, we believe that language development can be as simple (and delicious!) as a juicy watermelon slice or a sunny-day smoothie.

In this post, I am sharing easy, fun, and effective food-themed language activities to keep kids’ vocabularies growing all summer long. Whether you're a teacher prepping for back-to-school, a parent looking to boost summer literacy, or a speech-language pathologist planning themed sessions, you’ll love these creative ideas that blend language learning with playful SEL and real-world connection.

Why Food Is the Perfect Vocabulary Tool

Food is universal. It’s sensory, emotional, and cultural. When children talk about food, they’re also learning to:

• Describe textures, tastes, and smells (“crunchy,” “juicy,” “zesty,” etc.)

• Classify and compare (fruits vs veggies, sweet vs savory, hot vs cold)

• Sequence and organize (first we mix, then we stir, next we pour…)

• Express preferences and feelings (“I love mango because it’s soft and sweet!”)

And when we tie it all to seasonal foods, such as popsicles, berries, or corn on the cob, it becomes even more engaging and memorable.

5 Fun Food Vocabulary Activities for Summer

Here are a few language-building games you can try at home, in summer school, or in therapy sessions:

1. Foodie Freeze Dance (Vocabulary Warm-Up)

Play music and hold up a flashcard with a summer food (or show a real one!). When the music stops, kids shout out a descriptive word: “cold watermelon,” “sticky s’mores,” “melty popsicle.” Challenge older kids to add adjectives, metaphors, or even similes: “As red as a sunset!”

2. Picnic Basket Sort & Describe

Gather toy food, real snacks, or printed cards. Kids sort them by category (color, shape, temperature, taste) and explain their choices. This builds categorization, oral language, and flexible thinking, great for diverse learners and multilingual students too!

3. Taste & Tell (Mindful Tasting Game)

Sample small bites of summer treats (like strawberries, frozen grapes, lemonade) and use your senses to describe them. Use prompts like:

• “What does it remind you of?”

• “What shape is it?”

• “Is it smooth, rough, chewy, or crunchy?”A perfect mix of mindful eating, SEL, and vocabulary development.

4. Mystery Smoothie Builder

Let kids choose ingredients to build a smoothie, but they have to describe it using 5 food adjectives before blending. You can turn this into a writing activity by naming their creation: “Sunshine Swirl,” “Berry Bonanza,” etc.

5. ‘Which One Doesn’t Belong?’ – Summer Food Edition

Show four food images and ask: “Which one doesn’t belong, and why?” "How are they the same?" "How are they different?" There’s no one right answer, so this game builds critical thinking, oral language, and explanation skills. You can grab my free sample printable version on our freebie page or create your own.

Let Language Glow This Summer

Summer should feel light, joyful, and full of flavor. By weaving in food, play, and imagination, we can help children build vocabulary in fun and unique ways!

Happy Playing!