Making Cider

Time: Approximately 30 minutes

Materials:

• approximately one bushel of apples
• wash tub half full of water
• cider press
• bucket
• pitcher
• paper cups and napkins

Procedure:

Have children wash the apples in the wash tub.  Put some apples into the press.  Form a line and let the children take turns using the cider press.  Pour the cider from the bucket to the pitcher.  Use the paper cups to give each child a taste of cider.

• Because most people do not have apples presses, this can be done at home by slicing the apples and placing them in a blender. When sufficiently chopped and blended, pour the ground apple mixture into some cheesecloth and squeeze the juice out into a pitcher.  Serve.

Drinking Cider

Time: 5 minutes

Materials:

• 1 to 2 gallons of fresh cider
• 5 oz. paper cups
• napkins

Procedure:

Fill each child’s cup with cider.  Have some of the children serve as helpers to pass out the napkins and the cider.  Other children may be chosen as helpers to collect the waste and deposit in the trash.

Ask the children if they like cider. Why or why not?