E Is for Emperor’s Eggs
Emperor penguins are amazing!
At the beginning of the winter, the female penguin lays an egg and then goes off in search of food. The daddy penguin stays behind with a very important job. While he waits for the mother to return, the father has to keep the egg (and himself) warm during the long, frigid, Antarctic winter.
For two whole months, the Emperor penguin balances the egg on his feet, warming it and waiting for it to hatch. That’s a great dad!
Here’s a great ABC Snack idea that will give you a chance to learn something about a very interesting animal while you munch on a delicious breakfast or lunch!
My little helper, Alyssa, had a great time making and eating her Emperor’s egg. Now it’s your turn!
Emperor’s Eggs
Here’s what you’ll need to make two Emperor’s Eggs:
- 2 hard-boiled eggs
- 4 large black olives
- 3 baby carrots
- Red licorice rope
- Toothpicks
Directions:
- Peel two hard-boiled eggs.
- Slice off the bottom of both eggs to create a flat surface.
- Cut two baby carrots in half lengthwise.
- Position carrot halves side by side to form the penguins’ feet.
- Position the eggs (flat side down) on the carrots and secure with toothpicks.
- Cut two black olives in half lengthwise.
- Use toothpicks to attach olive halves to the sides of the egg to form wings.
- Use a toothpick to attach a whole olive to the top of the egg with the hole facing forward.
- Cut two small pieces of carrot.
- Place carrot pieces in the olive hole to form the penguin’s beak.
- Wrap a piece of red licorice rope around the penguin’s neck to keep him warm!
Note:
- Be sure to remove your toothpicks before eating your Emperor’s Eggs!
Adapted from Taste of Home
Teaching Tips
- As you create your Emperor penguin, practice saying /ĕ/–/ĕ/–emperor’s egg with your child.
- How many words can you think of that start with the sound of /ĕ/ as in egg?
- Learn more about penguins with these Fun Facts and Activities!
- While you eat your snack, read about a very devoted dad in The Emperor’s Egg.
- Download ABC Snacks: Tips for Working on Pre-Reading Skills for more teaching tips.
Want More Snacks for Letter E?
Find snacks for letter E and more with the ABC Snacks Cookbooks series that includes more than 40 snack recipes for your preschoolers!
Jessica Laughlin
says:oh My! those are cute.
Lorraine
says:I love the creative ideas you share. This activity looks like a fun way to further explore and engage kids in conversations about penguins.
Heather
says:Looks like fun! I love the idea of connecting a snack to our learning topic.
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceHeather,
Yes! Making a snack connect to what you are learning makes it extra special and more memorable. We have lots and lots of cool learning snacks on many topics. Most tie-in to letter learning, but can also be used to tie-in to other studies. For example, if you are learning about insects you can do B is for Buzzing Bumblebee and I is for Icky Insects and others.
Kelley Ullerich
says:Great idea! My kids love helping in the kitchen!
Holly
says:This is adorable! My son would love this. Can’t wait to try it!
Christine
says:This looks like an easy and fun activity to reinforce the concept!
Kate Groff
says:Great tips, I can’t wait to make these!
Nayi A.
says:This curriculum is a blessing to our family. My son has flourished.
Audrey
says:This looks like a good teaching tool for our family.
Emily d
says:My daughter loves penguins.
LeAnne
says:How fun! 😃
Betty
says:Thanks so much for this fun recipe!
My 41 year old son, Curtis is in the Antarctica walking among the Emperor penguin.
This will be a great welcome home sack for my pre school & K, grandchildren to surprise their uncle Curtis with next week when he returns home.
I also downloaded your Penguin pack to share with the grandkids all this week.
Thanks again!
Robin E.
says: Customer ServiceOh, Betty! Wow! What an exciting adventure for your son, and how exciting that your grandkids get to participate in it at least a little with learning about penguins and having a penguin snack with their uncle gets home! This is really cool!
Mandie
says:These penguins are just the cutest!! I will be adding these to my arctic theme week!!
Sonya
says:We love penguins and puffins. We are also studying Alaska and arctic animals.
Lenora D
says:A strip of tomato would be great for the scarf.
Barbie Fisher
says:This looks like fun!
Melanie Fillyaw
says:Oh, my goodness! These are adorable! My son has been obsessed with penguins for the last year! He lives the silly cartoon, Pingu, and walks around saying , “Nop, Nop” all the time:). This will be a fun project to do with him. Thank you for the idea!
Marie Rippel
says: Customer ServiceYou’re so welcome! Hope you have fun making the recipe!
Todd Mayo
says:Cute penguins and this doesn’t look too hard