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Preschool Learning Fun for Ten Apples Up on Top

Today I’m sharing some apple-themed preschool learning fun for Ten Apples Up on Top, this week’s book.

Making cinnamon apple peels and more fun apple themed preschool learning fun for 10 apples up on top

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Ten Apples Up on Top is a fun apple-themed counting book for kids, written by Dr. Seuss (under the pen name of Theo LeSieg). Kids love to learn in the kitchen! Cooking with apples is a fantastic way to reinforce the counting skills that are introduced in the book. Applesauce and cinnamon apple peels are delicious fall treats that kids will enjoy making – and eating.

Fun Preschool Learning for 10 Apples Up On Top: Making Cinnamon Apple Peels with Kids

Making cinnamon apple peels is easy and delicious!

First, peel your apples. Children are fascinated by apple peelers, and they can help turn the crank! Curious chef sells a fruit and veggie prep kit that comes with a child-safe apple peeler, as well as a child-safe nylon knife. Blunt-edged butter knives are also great for chopping peeled apples.

Once you have peeled your apples, you need to:

  • Mix equal parts cinnamon and sugar in a bowl.
  • Add apple peels and toss (we used a covered bowl, and my kids LOVED this part! A ziploc bag or bowl covered with press n seal or Tupperware will also work.) You may need to add a little water if your peels are on the dry side.
  • Lay the apple peels out on a baking tray with a sheet of parchment paper or on a silicone baking mat.
  • Bake at 250 degrees for 40 minutes.
  • Enjoy!
Making applesauce and more fun apple themed preschool learning fun for 10 apples up on top

Fun Preschool Learning for 10 Apples Up On Top: Making Applesauce

Making applesauce is very simple:

  • Peel the apples
  • Slice them into chunks
  • Bring them to a boil in a pot with a little juice. You don’t have to stick with apple juice! Try different flavors. My kids like orange flavored applesauce. Apple juice with a bit of cinnamon is also popular.
  • Let the apples simmer until soft.
  • Mash it with a potato masher, or – for a smoother applesauce – blend with a  stick blender.
  • Enjoy!

You can refrigerate your applesauce before eating it, but my kids love to eat it warm, with a little vanilla ice cream to make it extra-special!

More Fun Preschool Learning for 10 Apples Up On Top

This year, my co-hosts and I are working to have a range of educational activities across learning themes, so that you can have a complete preschool unit based around the picture book of the week. Here are this week’s apple themed activities, to go along with Ten Apples Up on Top:

Name Activities

Magnetic Names Apple Picking – Preschool Powol Packets
How to Trace Your Name With Fingerprint Apples – Big Owl Little Owl Witty Hoots

Number Activities

Fine motor Apple Graphing Activity – Extremely Good Parenting
Ten Apples Up On Top File Folder Game – Views From a Step Stool
Sequencing Number Words – Adventures of Adam

Sensory Play Activities

2 Ingredient Apple Scented Playdough Recipe– Rainy Day Mum
Play Dough Apple Stacking Activity – Inspiration Laboratories

Cooking Activities

Apple Snack for Kids – CraftCreateCalm
Making applesauce and cinnamon apple peels– Mama Smiles

Science Activities

Science in Motion Apple Game – The Educators’ Spin On It
Teach Beside Me- Magnet Levitating Apple stacking

Color Activities

Apple Color Mixing Science Experiment – Powerful Mothering
Colorful Spin Art Apple Banner for Kids– Toddler Approved

Pre-Writing Activities

Apple Themed Pre-Writing Activity – Sugar Aunts

Movement Activities

Ten Apples Up On Top Movement Activity – Still Playing School
Move Like a Tree Activity- Kori at Home

Shape Activities

Are Apples Round? Fun Ways for Exploring Shapes – Peakle Pie

Fun Apple Themed Books to Read with Kids

Since these activities work for any apple themed picture book, here are a few other favorite apple themed books you can read with your kids:

The 2016-17 Virtual Book Club for Kids

2016-17 season virtual book club for kids books and activities

Click on the image above to see all of the themes, books, and activities for this year’s 2016-17 Virtual Book Club for Kids! I’ll update the page as new posts go live.

Do you have an apple-themed activity or book that we should check out? Let me know in the comments, or Drop a note on my Facebook page feed, or tag me on Instagram

MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.

12 thoughts on “Preschool Learning Fun for Ten Apples Up on Top”

  1. What a great idea to cook with kids using apples for this book! Kids love cooking and I like how you use the apple peels instead of throwing them away from the applesauce! No waste!

  2. Natalie PlanetSmartyPants

    We have never tried to bake peels – looks easy and delicious. Great way to learn through cooking!

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