This past Tuesday, I had the pleasure of celebrating National Pickle Day at a Hy-Vee. Earlier in the day, a group of about 80 second graders visited. They were divided into four groups that rotated through four different activities.

The activities included listening to me read Pickles, Pickles, I Like Pickles and talk about my book, making quick pickles with the store chef that they were able to take home, taste testing a variety of pickled items with the store dietician, and taking a store tour to see various pickled items and vinegars with a store manager.

All of the kids left with a bookmark signed by me (as seen in the picture below), a coloring page to go along with Pickles, Pickles, I Like Pickles (visit Fun Extras if you would like to print your own), and their own homemade quick pickles.

I had fun reading my story to the kids with them helping me by shouting out “pickles, pickles, I like pickles” at all of the appropriate times. I thought it was funny when I got to the part in Pickles, Pickles, I Like Pickles about putting pickles on ice cream, and most of the kids would say “Eeewww” in unison. There was one kid who said he does eat pickles on his ice cream, and another kid surprised me by saying he likes olives in his ice cream.

I really enjoyed talking with the kids about pickles and pickle related items. I also had them help me put the events of pickle making in order using the worksheet I recently created, which you can find here if interested.

At the end of their time at my station, I asked the kids what their favorite part of their pickle field trip had been. Some of them enjoyed seeing various pickled items or pickle flavored chips. Others really enjoyed making their own pickles that they got to take home.

It melted my heart when some of the kids said their favorite part was meeting me and listening to Pickles, Pickles, I Like Pickles. The time went by really fast. I hope they all enjoyed their morning as much as I did.

Later in the day was a public event to celebrate National Pickle Day. You can check out the information for the fun my family and I had there on National Pickle Day Celebration Part 2.

Have a wonderful day!