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Activities
There are so many fun and delicious activities to do with breadfruit. Here are a few ideas from the Farm to Keiki book.
MUSIC
Listen to these fun tunes!
This is why we love you Jamaica!
One from my childhood! I was always the ‘uala – “don’t call me small potato!”
ART
Use the back of the leaves for sandpaper or name tags! I used to make name tags for all the field trips at Limahuli Gardens. The kids loved it! Use a scissor (oiled) to cut the leaves. The sap is sticky and can be irritating to the skin. I sadly get a rash 🙁 Cut into name tag sizes and use the shiny side to write on (with a permanent marker). Stick the back side of the leaf on your shirt and never forget a name again!
LITERATURE, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY
Tell the moʻolelo (story) of how the god Kū saved the people by turning into the ʻulu tree! This moʻolelo teaches children about Hawaiian culture, food insecurity, the importance of growing food and farmers, sharing food, sacrifice and more. It is also a great segway to talk about the Breadfruit Institute Global Hunger Initiative to feed the people of the world by sharing breadfruit plants!
The book, No Ke Kumu ‘Ulu by Kawehi Avelino tells this story. You can find it at the library, your local bookstore or at our friends online shop Bess Press.
MATH
Guess how much an ‘ulu weighs. Then use a scale to measure the exact weight. When I first did this activity at a health fair, I was quite surprised how difficult this was for many people (kids and adults). Even the pediatrician who stopped by my booth was way off (and he measures babies)! This is a fun activity since ʻulu often weigh up to 4-5 pounds and it is a fun competition for kids to play and test their knowledge.
COMMUNITY
Do you have any friends who grow breadfruit? Picking breadfruit with the children is a wonderful activity to introduce them to the community and the idea of sharing food.
I usually get my breadfruit from my Uncle Mark and Aunty Nancy. Mark is the founder of the famous handcrafted ceramic and wood fishing lures Mark White Lures. His fishing videos are classic! Making these lures was one of my first jobs… and the breadfruit tree was my view from the potters wheel! He was always trying to get me to ditch work to go fishing or surfing! Great boss! and epic fishing videos.
I love getting ʻulu from them because it feels good to see each other! Can you find someone with a tree in your area? Maybe you can trade them something yummy for their breadfruit!?
Sharing with the community
You can also talk about sharing what you have with the community. Does anyone in the class have an ʻulu tree? Perhaps the class can help pick and deliver. the fruits to the food bank or people in need. Of course, you can segway this topic and use it with any food or plants you have in abundance.
