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City Guide: A Supermarket Safari |
Everyday adventures
Sometimes you have to go along with grown-ups when they “run errands,” and sometimes this might seem kind of boring! But have you ever thought that some of these “boring” errands might be more exciting than you think? For example, what if you pretended like a trip to the grocery store was like taking a trip to the jungle!? It might not be as impossible as it sounds…
It's a jungle out there -!
When you first walk into the grocery store, you probably notice lots of different colors, shapes, sounds, and smells! Think about how these things actually create a big Supermarket Safari…!
- What are some of the first colors you notice? Do you see lots of greens and browns, like the earthy colors of the jungle forest, or is it mostly reds, oranges, and yellows, like the jungle sky at sunset!?
- If the grown-up you are with is going to be pushing a shopping cart, ask if you can ride inside -- it's your very own Safari Jeep! Make sure to give your jeep a name, like maybe Jeffrey the Jeep. Don't forget to give yourself a safari name too! “Safari Sam” or “Tour Guide Tina” might be fun!
- Think about some of the creatures and plants you're expecting to see on your adventure! What are some animals that live in the jungle? There are elephants, lions, monkeys, zebras, hippos, rhinos, crocodiles, and giraffes, plus lots of birds and fish, just to name a few!
Produce: A Plant Party
You'll probably see the most Jungle Plants when you're cruising through the Produce Isle, where there are lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Here are some Jungle Basics to look for:
- Which fruits or vegetables look the most like big leafy forest vines? Maybe the long, leafy stems of a vegetable like Swiss Chard, or even some tomatoes still on the vine!
- Some of the foods you're seeing probably grow on the trees in your jungle, while others would grow in the ground. Identify which ones came from trees and which ones came from the earth!
- Do you think some of the foods you see weren't grown in your jungle, but were maybe brought there by other Safari Guides like yourself? Which ones were brought in from somewhere else, and which grew in your jungle forest?
- The animals that live in the jungle really like to eat fruits and vegetables, just like you! Which animals would eat which of the fruits and vegetables?? Here's one to get you started: monkeys really go bananas for a certain yellow fruit… do you know what it is??
Lions, and Tin Cans, and Boxes -- Oh My!
Outside of the produce isle, you'll probably drive your jeep down lots of roads with some things like boxes of cereal or cans of beans that might (at first glance!) look like they don't belong on your special safari. -- But look closer!
Your job as Safari Guide is to pick out some foods that each of the animals in the jungle would like to eat! Don't forget this will be the easiest (and the most fun!) if you use your imagination…
- Do you see any boxes or labels with pictures of animals already on them? Maybe those foods are the favorites of that kind of animal!
- If you come across some foods, like maybe pasta, that don't seem to be in the normal diet of any of your jungle animals, think about what else that food might be in your make-believe world! Maybe pasta is actually a whole bunch of worms for the jungle birds!!
- When you're thinking about what each animal would like to eat, keep in mind which animals eat vegetables and which ones eat meat. For example, a leopard might not be as happy with a bowl of popcorn as a monkey!
Looking for clues without any binoculars
Sometimes, you might need binoculars to help you see animals that are far away in the jungle. But on your Supermarket Safari, there will be special clues all around you!
Keep your eyes peeled for animal footprints, special smells, and other Safari Guides who are also touring through the jungle!
- When you're inspecting your surroundings, don't forget to look up high and down low so that you don't miss anything. Is there a tall ladder at the end of a road? Look closer and you might realize it's a giraffe!
- Pay attention to certain parts of the jungle that have different smells. Which jungle animals might be living in these areas.
- If you often go back to the same store, try to remember what you observe from week to week. Do the same smells and colors appear in the same spots? Are the same animal footprints on the same road each week, or are there new ones??
Wrapping up & checking out
At the end of the safari, you might have to wait in line before you can leave. Your jeep will probably be filled with all kinds of awesome Safari Souvenirs that you'll have to wrap up so that you can carry them back home safely.
Find out if you can help unload all of your special goodies from the jeep!
- Try to remember what part of the jungle each item came from, and why you decided to collect it during your adventure!
- When you get home, draw a picture showing your great Supermarket Safari and all of the things you saw and learned! Which animals were you able to find? What was the name of your special jeep? Did you see any cool animal footprints??
- Keep your drawing in a safe place, and if you go back to the same jungle (or even if you go to a new, different jungle!) draw a new picture and compare it with the first one!
Congratulations, Ranger! You've successfully completed your very own Supermarket Safari Adventure!!