Family Fun - Explorers - activity 9

The chocolate knife and fork game!

This game can be played at any time however due to the nature of the game we suggest you play it during snack or after lunch or dinner.

What you will need:

• A bar of chocolate or a favoured snack or treat of your choice.
• Plate with a knife and fork.
• Two dice.
• Dressing up clothes.

How to play:

1. Place the chosen treat in the centre of the table on the plate with a knife and fork.
2. Each player takes it in turns to role both the dice.
3. When a player roles a double 6 they have to put on all of the dress up clothes. Then they can begin to open the treat and use the knife and fork to eat it. They are only allowed to start once they have all the clothes on and must eat the snack one bite at a time using the knife and fork.
4. The other players then continue to roll the dice until the next player roles a double 6. When the next player roles a double 6 the player eating the treat must stop and undress so the next player can try to eat the treat.
5. Continue until all the chocolate or treat has been eaten.

Adaptations to the game:

• Instead of trying to roll a double 6 you could see if your child can roll the dice so the sum of both dice is a certain number for example both dice need to add together to make 10.
• You can use the dressing up part of the game to focus on an aspect of dressing your child struggles with. For example, if they struggle to use a zip you can use an item of clothing which requires the zip to be done up.
• You can also use the dressing up to increase the difficulty. The more items of clothing they have to put on the longer it will take. Traditionally big woolly gloves are used to increase the difficulty of using the knife and fork.
• You can use any snack in the centre of the game as long as it is motivating!
• If your child finds it difficult to count the number of dots on the dice you can create some number flash cards which they can pull out of a bag so they can use their number recognition.
• If your child struggles to use a knife and fork you could use a treat which requires a spoon or have a pre-cut treat and focus on the dressing aspect of the game. Alternatively, you can use small pre-wrapped treats if your child needs to work on their independence skills with opening packets.