Fruits and vegetables are colorful, tasty, and packed with nutrients—but did you know there’s more to them than meets the eye? From “fruit imposters” to veggie superpowers, learning about produce can be both educational and fun for kids.

Let’s explore some surprising and silly facts about fruits and vegetables that might just make your child want to eat more of them!

What’s the Difference Between a Fruit and a Vegetable?

• Fruits have seeds and grow from the flower of a plant.
• Vegetables are other parts of the plant—like roots (carrots), stems (celery), or leaves (lettuce).

🍅 Tomatoes, cucumbers, and avocados are technically fruits—but we usually eat them like veggies!

Cool Fruit Facts

• 🍌 Bananas are berries—but strawberries are not!
• 🍍 Pineapples are made of many tiny fruits fused together.
• 🍎 An apple floats because 25% of it is air.
• 🥝 Kiwis used to be called “Chinese gooseberries.”
• 🍉 Watermelons are 92% water—great for hot days!

Awesome Vegetable Facts

• 🥕 Carrots were originally purple! Orange carrots came later.
• 🥦 Broccoli is actually a flower!
• 🌽 Corn always has an even number of rows.
• 🥬 Spinach has more iron than meat, ounce for ounce.
• 🧅 Onions make you cry because of a natural gas they release when cut.

Fun Challenges for Kids

• Guess the Impostor: Show kids pictures of foods and ask if they’re fruits or vegetables.
• Fruit & Veggie Tasting Day: Try one new fruit and one new vegetable each week.
• Rainbow Plate Challenge: See how many different colors they can eat in one meal!

Why It Matters

Teaching kids about fruits and veggies helps them:

• Make healthier food choices
• Develop curiosity about the natural world
• Learn to try new flavors and textures

Conclusion

From berries that aren’t berries to veggies that are actually flowers, fruits and vegetables are full of surprises. The more kids know about them, the more they’ll appreciate (and eat!) these tasty, healthy foods.

So next time you serve up a salad or a snack, ask your child: Is this a fruit or a vegetable? You might both learn something new!

Sources:

• National Geographic Kids – Food Facts
• USDA – ChooseMyPlate.gov
• KidsHealth – Fruits and Veggies

Photo by Sharon Pittaway on Unsplash