National Mashed Potato Day (October 18) is a perfect opportunity to mix learning, laughter, and family connection — “mashing up” fun with academics and creativity for your Tiny Moments: Mighty Minds community.
1. “Mash-It-Up” Math
Activity: Practice measuring while making mashed potatoes! Have kids double or halve the recipe, measure ingredients, or estimate how many potatoes they’ll need for everyone.
Skills: Measurement, multiplication/division, estimation
Facebook prompt:
“How many potatoes did you need to feed your family? Show us your math — and your mash!”
2. “Spud-tacular Science”
Activity: Do a potato power experiment — show how a potato can light a small LED light (with supervision, of course!).
Skills: Scientific curiosity, observation, energy
Alternative: Explore how heat changes a potato (raw vs. boiled — what’s different?).
Facebook prompt:
“Science is mash-tastic! Share your potato experiment discoveries!”
3. “Creative Mash Art”
Activity: Let kids “paint” with instant mashed potatoes mixed with food coloring — or make potato stamps by cutting shapes into potato halves.
Skills: Art, creativity, sensory play
Facebook prompt:
“Show us your colorful ‘mash pieces’ or potato stamps!”
4. “Mashed-Up Stories”
Activity: Have kids write or tell a silly mashed-up story — combine their favorite characters (like “Harry Potter and the Mashed Potato Monster”).
Skills: Writing, creativity, storytelling
Facebook prompt:
“Post your child’s funniest mashed-up story title!”
5. “Family Flavor Challenge”
Activity: Try adding one new ingredient to your mashed potatoes (cheese, garlic, herbs, etc.) and rate it as a family!
Skills: Descriptive language, sensory exploration, family bonding
Facebook prompt:
“What’s your family’s favorite mashed potato mix-in? Share your secret ingredient!”
Book Suggestions (Mashed Potato–Themed or Food/Fun Related)
Picture Books (Grades K–2):
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
The Runaway Pea by Kjartan Poskitt
How Did That Get in My Lunchbox? by Chris Butterworth
Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin
Stone Soup by Marcia Brown (great tie-in for sharing and food traditions)
Chapter Books (Grades 3–6):
Lunch Lady series by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
The Truth About My Unbelievable Summer by Davide Cali (silly, imaginative fun)
Fun Social Media Ideas
Mini Video Idea: Have teachers or students say what they love about mashed potatoes in one word (“Fluffy!” “Creamy!” “Yum!”).
Photo Prompt: “Show us your family’s mash creation — traditional, colorful, or crazy!”
Hashtag Suggestion: #MightyMashDay #TinyMightyMashUp #MashedPotatoMinds