Little hands at work
First picture sorting activities
A real cut-and-place sorting board: put clothing and food pictures into two groups, then explain your choices.
2–3 · 3–4 · 4–5 years · FreeExplore activity
Picture cards · Free printable
Food picture cards
Pictures let a child talk about food without needing to eat, touch or even like it. Name a few familiar examples, describe their appearance and compare them with foods your household uses. The set is a conversation starter, not a complete picture of every cuisine or a lesson about which foods a child should prefer.
Take a little peek8 items · Original illustrations
apple
banana
orange
pear
carrot
bread
Big clear pictures. Labels you can reveal.
Inside the printable
First page shown. The download includes the complete activity and grown-up guidance.
What we’re exploring
Recognise some everyday food words and describe observable features such as shape, colour and texture.
A little way to play
- Show two or three pictures and say their names. Invite another familiar name or a word from a home language.
- Offer a descriptive clue such as “I am thinking of something long and yellow.” Discuss why banana is a possible answer.
- Choose a pretend meal or snack from the cards. Let your child explain the selection without marking foods as a reward or punishment.
- Find a matching picture in a book or package. If using real food, let an adult manage it according to the child’s usual food and allergy guidance.
Make it easier
Start with one very familiar food and one contrasting picture. Name the match yourself, then invite the child to choose the same picture from a pair.
Try a little moreCompare apple and orange: both are round fruit in these illustrations, but their surfaces and colours differ. Group cards by a rule and explain where a picture could fit more than one sensible group.
For the grown-up
This is vocabulary play rather than nutrition or feeding advice. Do not require tasting, label a child as fussy or divide the cards into “good” and “bad” foods. Foods can look different when cut, cooked or prepared in another household.
Answers & naming help
Apple, banana, orange, pear, carrot, bread, cheese and egg. The bread picture shows slices; the egg shows a whole egg beside a cut boiled egg. Accept a more specific familiar description when it accurately names the picture.
apple · banana · orange · pear · carrot · bread · cheese · egg
How do I print this?
Choose your vocabulary and paper size, then download the PDF. Print at actual size or 100%. Use the low-ink option for outline activities; colour-name cards still need their colour to teach the word. Cut-and-stack mini-books are available in the flashcard maker.
Keep the discoveries going.
More words & picture cards ↗Shapes & colours
Colour flashcards
Ten bold colour cards for naming, sorting and finding familiar objects, with clear labels for grown-ups.
2–3 · 3–4 · 4–5 years · FreeExplore activity
Words & picture cards
Everyday objects picture cards
Familiar home objects with British and American labels, ready for pointing, naming and “what do we use it for?” games.
2–3 · 3–4 · 4–5 years · FreeExplore activity