One of the ways that the Swiss Family Robinson survived besides the provisions they gathered from the boat was by gathering what they could from the land. Also, you’ll love more ideas on my post Swiss Family Robinson Unit Study.
They were able to find lobster, strawberries, mulberries, pomegranates, pistachio nuts, sugar cane, palm cabbage, as well as many kinds of fish, birds, and animals to eat.
One of the first things they were able to gather by tricking the monkeys into helping was coconuts.
Not only did they enjoy the liquid inside but were able to eat the meat inside and even use the emptied out half shell as a bowl.
If you have never tried a fresh whole coconut with your kids, this is a great opportunity to examine and try one straight from the shell.
I’m showing you how to open a coconut carefully and properly, harvesting both the water and the meat of the coconut. Use all 5 senses to explore the coconut. Research where they are native to and find the locations on a map.
Find other uses for coconut shells, learn how to properly open and eat a coconut from the grocery store.
You could also use this as a chance to introduce more exotic fruits like papaya, mango, dragon fruit, kiwi, pomegranates and figs, many of which were foods that were also consumed by the Swiss Family Robinson.
More The Swiss Family Robinson Activities
- Where Did Swiss Family Robinson Land And Their Unique Homes | Cave Activity
- From Switzerland to the Author of Swiss Family Robinson Quick Study
- How to Create Swiss Family Treehouse Blueprints With Kids
- What is the Swiss Family Robinson About | Simple Jeopardy Style Game
- How to Make Adorable Swiss Family Robinson Book Characters Bookmarks
- Exciting Swiss Family Robinson Activities | From Oyster To Pearl
- The Swiss Family Robinson Fun and Easy Movie Night Ideas
- Embrace Island Life: How To Eat A Coconut Like Swiss Family Robinson
- Animals in The Swiss Family Robinson Book | Parrot Craft
- Lost In Adventure: 10 Books Like Swiss Family Robinson
- How to Build a LEGO Swiss Family Robinson STEM Challenge Treehouse
- Survival to Inspiration The Swiss Family Robinson Book | Brick Book
- How To Make A Swiss Family Robinson Map | Easy Swiss Geography
- DIY Easy Compass Activity and Survival Ideas
- Simple Candle
- Hunting Deer
- How to Plan And Start an Easy Gardening Unit Study for Kids
Next, add some living books to your activity today.
Books Like Swiss Family Robinson
After adding living books, I add reference books to our unit study.
8 Books & Resources for Learning About The Swiss Family Robinson
Add some of these books to your unit study of The Swiss Family Robinson and their adventures on a deserted island.
More than 100 original illustrations by Louis Rhead. You want to read this book with illustrations.
See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world.
Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.
Become a nature detective with this illustrative, engaging and fun Take-Along-Guide. You may not know where to look, or what to look for, but animal signs are everywhere and this guide will help you learn how to read them. You'll learn how to spot and identify common clues that 17 wildlife species leave behind in the woods, in the fields and along ponds.
The heroic tale of the courageous exploits of the Robinson family after they are shipwrecked on a deserted island. Using teamwork and ingenuity, they overcome the obstacles of nature and transform their new home into a "civilized" community.
From treating a bee sting to building an overnight shelter, kids will gain the knowledge and confidence they need to survive outdoors.
Bear Grylls The Complete Adventures Collection 12 Books Set: Titles In This Set: The Blizzard Challenge The Desert Challenge The Jungle Challenge The Sea Challenge The River Challenge The Earthquake Challenge The Volcano Challenge The Safari Challenge The Cave Challenge The Mountain Challenge The Arctic Challenge The Sailing Challenge
By Pro-Knot, the number one trusted name in Knots with over 7,000 5 Star reviews! This complete knot tying KIT includes everything you need to learn and practice how to tie 23 essential rope knots. The six card/twelve page waterproof plastic card set contains 23 best all purpose rope knots
clearly illustrated and described, bound together with a no-rust brass grommet in the corner!
Edible wild plants are nature’s natural food source, growing along roadsides, sprouting in backyards, and blooming in country fields. North America’s diverse geography overflows with edible plant species.
I also have 7 more fun ways that you can use tropical foods for learning besides eating, like making mini explosions and a tropical fruit sensory bin.
7 Ways to Play With Your Tropical Food
- Dive deeper into learning about tropical foods with my 20 Tropical Rainforest Foods and Make an Acai Bowl that is delicious and easy to make.
- This simple tutorial will show you How to Eat a Starfruit, another delicious exotic treat..
- Set up a fun science experiment inside of a pineapple (after you harvest the fruit to eat first of course) with the Pineapple Volcano and a few basic household supplies.
- You can also Learn About Fruits Around the World Fun With Food Activities and make a tasty Mango Smoothie too.
- Here is a recipe you can make with the meat of the coconut you harvest that sounds so tasty- Coconut Banana Smoothie.
- For your younger learners here is an adorable Sensory Activities for Kids : Tropical Fruits sensory rice recipe that goes along great with this read aloud and learn about more tropical fruits with this multi-sensory experience.
- If you live in a warmer climate zone (5 and above) try your hand at growing Passion Fruit with these 5 tips that will have you enjoying this tropical treat anytime you want it.
Finally, look how to open and eat a fresh coconut.
How to Open and Eat a Fresh Coconut
You will need:
- A coconut
- Wooden cutting board
- Corkscrew
- Large sturdy kitchen knife
- Large bowl
- Cup to collect coconut water
- Small sieve
First, to choose a coconut you want one that feels heavy for the size it is.
It should be dark brown with hairy fibers all over it.
It should make a nice sloshing noise when you shake it around to show it’s got water inside and is fresh.
Soak the coconut in a bowl of water for about 5 minutes to help soften the shell a bit.
Turn the coconut so that the 3 eyes are facing up and poke each until you find the one that is soft.
Then use the corkscrew to open the hole up.
If you do not have a corkscrew, you can push through with a screwdriver and a little hammer.
Work the hole open a little larger if you need to.
Drain the coconut water into the cup, going through a sieve to collect bits of shell and set aside while you open the coconut.
We got a whole cup of coconut water out of our small coconut.
You can see three ridges very well that mark weak spots on the coconut.
With the back of the knife, tap very firmly on them and then all around the “equator: ” of the coconut until you see a crack form.
Alternatively, you can use a kitchen mallet if you have one on hand.
Continue tapping with force until it cracks all the way around.
To remove the meat from the coconut you can use thin sharp knives to cut it out or a vegetable peeler (great for little hands).
Break the pieces of coconut up into smaller pieces and then use a vegetable peeler to scrape off the shell.
Try the small bits of coconut and talk about the taste and texture.
