Time: About 45 minutes
Big Idea: Explore citrus fruits by using your senses, making observations, and doing a simple experiment to learn how grapefruits and lemons are similar and different.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 grapefruit
- 1 lemon
- Blank paper
- Plastic or paper cups (2 per participant)
- Paper towels
- Magnifying glass (optional)
- Kitchen scale (optional)
- Calculator (optional)
Part 1: Observe & Compare
- Look, Smell, Touch!
Put a grapefruit and lemon on the table. Let your child hold, smell, and describe each fruit. What’s different? What’s the same?
Part 2: Fruit Lab Time!
- Cut the lemon and grapefruit in half. Look at the inside. Can you count the seeds or see the juice sacs?
- Pour the juice from each into two cups (squeeze by hand or with a juicer).
- Use a magnifying glass to observe the skin and inside of the fruit (if available).
- Use a kitchen scale to weigh each fruit half if you have one.
- Taste test! (Optional: dilute with water if sour.)
Part 3: Record Your Results
On a sheet of paper write or draw:
- Which fruit was heavier?
- Which had more juice?
- Which tasted more sour?
- What surprised you most?
Discussion Topics:
- What did we learn about citrus fruits today?
- What was your favorite part?
- Can you find something citrusy in the kitchen now?
