Exploring Spices: A Fun Spice Activity for Kids

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If you’re looking for a simple spices activity for kids, this hands-on smelling game is a fun way to explore the sense of smell while learning about herbs and spices from around the world.

Children love guessing familiar kitchen spices, comparing different scents, and discovering where many of our favorite seasonings come from. This easy sensory activity combines science, geography, and a little bit of history—all using ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

Why Explore Spices?

Have you ever noticed how quickly a certain smell can remind you of a favorite recipe or holiday?

Our sense of smell is closely connected to memory, making spices a wonderful tool for hands-on learning.

This activity encourages children to:

• Use their sense of smell
• Observe similarities and differences
• Make predictions
• Learn about plants
• Explore world geography
• Discover how spices are used in cooking

Whether you’re studying the five senses, world cultures, or simply spending time together in the kitchen, this activity is an engaging way to learn.

Spice Guessing Activity

One of my kids’ favorite parts was trying to identify each spice without looking!

Some they recognized immediately, while others had everyone making funny faces as they tried to figure them out.

 

Once the flaps are all glued on, choose your spices. I did 9 spices because that is what fit. You could make the flaps smaller if you want to do more. On the top of each flap I glued a little of each spice.

 

Supplies

• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Marker
• Small amounts of different spices
• Spice bottles or small containers

Instructions to Make the Spice Guessing Board

Cut one sheet of construction paper into small flaps and glue them onto a second sheet.

Under each flap, write the name of one spice.

On top of each flap, glue a tiny pinch of the matching spice.

Be sure to write the answer high enough underneath the flap so curious kids can’t peek!

 

Play the Guessing Game

Set out all of your spice bottles next to the chart.

Invite children to:

• Smell one spice bottle.
• Smell each flap.
• Decide which scents match.
• Lift the flap to reveal the answer.

As they play, encourage them to describe what they smell.

Is it:

• sweet
• spicy
• earthy
• smoky
• citrusy
• minty
• floral

There are no wrong answers!

Learning to describe smells builds observation and vocabulary skills.

Great Spices to Include

Try using a variety of familiar and unfamiliar spices such as:

• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Ginger
• Cloves
• Black Pepper
• Paprika
• Garlic Powder
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Basil
• Dill

Having a mix of herbs and spices makes the activity even more interesting.

After we smelled them all, I asked them which smells they recognized and if they knew what foods any of them are in. We also discussed where they originated from as well.

Where Do Spices Come From?

One of the things my kids found most surprising was discovering that many common kitchen spices come from all over the world.

As you identify each spice, locate its country or region on a world map.

For example:

India

• Turmeric
• Cardamom
• Black Pepper
• Ginger

Indonesia

• Nutmeg
• Cloves

Mediterranean Region

• Oregano
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Basil

Mexico & Central America

• Vanilla
• Chili peppers

Extend the Learning

After the guessing game, try one of these simple extension activities.

Sort by Smell

Which spices smell sweet?

Which smell spicy?

Which smell earthy?

Match Spices to Foods

Can your child match:

• Cinnamon → Apple Pie
• Oregano → Pizza
• Basil → Pasta
• Ginger → Gingerbread
• Dill → Pickles
• Nutmeg → Pumpkin Pie

Create Your Own Spice Blend

Mix two or three spices together and invent a new seasoning.

Give it a fun name!

Find the Spice Plant

Look up photos of the plants that each spice comes from.

Many children are surprised to learn cinnamon comes from tree bark and black pepper grows on vines. Plant fresh herb plants to learn how they grow and taste fresh.

What Kids Learn

This simple spices activity helps children practice:

• Plant science
• Sense of smell
• Geography
• Food science
• Vocabulary
• Observation
• Critical thinking

Try some more activities to learn about your senses!

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How to Make Edible Slime

Color Mixing With Light

Tapioca Pearl Sensory Play