Tasty Successes - Part 1

Hanna Collins is the Youth Services Librarian, Slinger Community Library 

Ask any librarian, and they will likely all agree that food brings patrons to the library! That was certainly the case with two recent taste test-style programs we hosted. At Slinger Community Library, I designed two separate programs, the first of which was a blindfold challenge that really had their taste buds talking! 

Blindfold Taste Test 

In May, I hosted a Blindfold Taste Test for our “Kids Klub” group, ages 6-12. I did put a limit of 10 children due to our space, logistics, and budget constraints. I chose ten different kid and allergy-friendly foods that participants would try blindfolded, then write down their guesses on a program sheet. My ten mystery foods were: lettuce, lemonade, chocolate pudding, Cool Whip, parmesan cheese, Doritos, Skittles, vanilla ice cream, gummy bears, and broccoli. I tried to include a variety of textures, tastes (sour/sweet), and food forms. Overall, I spent about $20 on food supplies. 

I purchased Mini Red Shot Cups from Amazon for $10. This worked out well with my limit of ten kids each taste testing ten foods. About an hour before program time, I began setting up my samples, the last being the ice cream, which I set up about ten minutes prior. I placed a tablecloth over the samples for secrecy before participants were invited in. 

The tables were set up with handkerchiefs, Blindfold Taste Test sheets, and pencils. I had several trash cans on hand. Quite a few parents stayed to assist their children, which worked out well. I began by stating one important rule – do not say the name of the food when you taste it! This was difficult for several to follow, especially the younger kids. We talked about what other senses they could use when taste testing, such as smelling it, touching it, and listening to the sound it made when jiggling the cup. Without further ado, the blindfolds were put on (parents were great helping with this) and the first mystery food was distributed. After tasting, I walked around with the trash can to throw away cups. Some kids decided to hold on to theirs to finish later. The kids briefly pulled up their blindfolds and wrote their guesses on the sheet. Younger kids whispered their answers to their parent to write down.  

There was lots of laughter, “blechs”, and “yummms”. Overall, the program was a great success. One suggestion would be to possibly invest in blindfolds with stretchy headbands like these. Some kids and parents had a hard time tying and retying the handkerchief and some complained they could still see through or under. 

Join me next Wednesday for Part 2 of our Tasty Successes!