Dry your food. Activities for Kids.

Dry your food

Make homemade dried fruit and herbs using safe methods like oven or sun drying, learning preservation and observing changes with adult supervision.

Download Guide

Collect Badge

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to make homemade dried fruit and herbs

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

FREEZE DRYING tips for BEGINNERS: plus What's the DIFFERENCE between DEHYDRATING & FREEZE DRYING?

What you need

Adult supervision required, airtight jar or container, baking sheet or mesh drying rack, cutting board, fresh fruit such as apples or pears, fresh herbs such as mint or basil, lemon or bottled lemon juice, paper towels, parchment paper or clean dish towel, sharp knife

Step 1

Gather all your materials and put them on a clean table so everything is ready.

Step 2

Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before you start.

Step 3

Rinse the fruit and herbs under cold running water to remove dirt.

Step 4

With an adult helping, slice the fruit into even thin slices about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.

Step 5

Pat the fruit slices and herb leaves dry gently with paper towels.

Step 6

Decide whether you will oven-dry or sun-dry and tell an adult which method you chose.

Step 7

Prepare your drying surface by lining a baking sheet with parchment OR by setting up a mesh drying rack.

Step 8

Arrange the fruit slices and herbs in a single layer on the tray or rack without pieces touching each other.

Step 9

If you chose oven-drying ask an adult to set the oven to the lowest safe temperature about 140°F to 170°F.

Step 10

If you chose oven-drying have an adult place the tray in the oven and prop the door open slightly for airflow.

Step 11

If you chose sun-drying cover the tray or rack with a clean fine mesh or cheesecloth and put it in direct sunlight on a stable raised surface.

Step 12

Check the pieces regularly and flip them gently as needed while they dry so they dry evenly.

Step 13

Test a small piece for doneness: fruit should feel leathery with no wet spots and herbs should be crisp and crumbly.

Step 14

Let the dried fruit and herbs cool completely then put the cooled pieces into an airtight jar for storage.

Step 15

Share a photo and story of your finished dried fruit and herbs on DIY.org so everyone can see your tasty science project.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share

Help!?

What can we use if we don't have parchment paper or a mesh drying rack?

Use an oven-safe wire cooling rack set over a baking sheet instead of parchment for oven-drying, or stretch a clean window screen or cheesecloth over a tray for sun-drying.

My fruit is still sticky or moldy after drying — what went wrong?

Check that you sliced the fruit 1/8–1/4 inch thick, arranged pieces in a single layer without touching, flipped them regularly while drying, and kept the oven at the low end (about 140°F) or moved trays to better sunlight so they can finish drying evenly.

How can I adapt this activity for different age groups?

For younger children have an adult do the slicing while the child rinses, pats with paper towels, and arranges pieces on the tray, and for older kids let them choose oven or sun-drying, help set the oven to 140–170°F, flip pieces, test doneness, and put cooled pieces into an airtight jar.

How can we extend or personalize the dried fruit and herbs project?

Personalize by sprinkling cinnamon or a bit of lemon juice on slices before drying, label the airtight jars with date and flavor, or try making fruit leather by pureeing fruit and spreading it thin on parchment before oven- or sun-drying, then share a photo on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to make homemade dried fruit and herbs

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Food Safety & Hygiene for Kids! | Food Safety for Kids

4 Videos

Facts about food preservation for kids

☀️ Sun drying is one of humanity's oldest food-preservation methods; people used it for thousands of years to store food for winter.

🍎 Dried fruit is much smaller but more calorie-dense — a handful can pack the energy of several cups of fresh fruit.

🌿 Most dried herbs keep their best flavor for about 6–12 months when stored in airtight, dark containers.

🧫 Removing water from food stops many bacteria and molds from growing, which is why drying helps food last much longer.

🔥 You can safely oven-dry fruit at low temperatures (around 60°C / 140°F) to gently remove moisture without cooking it.

How do you make homemade dried fruit and herbs safely?

Slice washed, ripe fruit thinly and remove stems from herbs. For oven drying, preheat to a low temperature (about 60–75°C / 140–170°F), arrange single layers on parchment-lined trays or wire racks, and dry for several hours, turning occasionally. For sun drying, use a covered mesh tray in a hot, dry spot and bring indoors overnight. Check for leathery (fruit) or brittle (herbs) texture, cool fully, then store airtight. Always supervise kids around knives and heat.

What materials do I need for drying fruit and herbs at home?

You’ll need fresh fruit and herbs, a cutting board and knife (or kid-safe knife for children), a colander for rinsing, baking sheets or mesh drying trays, parchment paper or wire racks, an oven or food dehydrator (or sun-safe covered trays), an oven thermometer, clean jars or airtight containers, labels, and oven mitts. Optional extras: citrus juice or light sugar syrup to prevent browning, a timer, and a clean towel. Adult supervision is required for hot equipment.

What ages is drying fruit and herbs suitable for?

This activity suits many ages with roles adjusted by ability: toddlers (2–4) can wash produce and smell herbs; preschoolers (4–6) can tear herbs and help arrange slices; school-age kids (7–10) can use kid-safe knives and learn to check dryness; older children and teens (11+) can operate ovens or dehydrators with supervision. Always supervise when cutting or using heat, and handle the hot trays yourself or closely guide older children.

What are the benefits and safety tips for drying fruit and herbs with kids?

Drying teaches preservation, food science (water loss and texture change), and reduces waste while making healthy snacks. Safety tips: dry thoroughly to avoid mold, cool completely before storing, keep hot equipment away from little hands, cut dried pieces for younger children to prevent choking, and avoid sun drying in humid or insect-prone conditions. Store in airtight, labeled jars in a cool, dark place and check periodically for signs of spoilage.

Get 7 days of DIY for FREE!

Continue with Google

Continue with Apple

Continue with Email

To create a safe space for kid creators worldwide!

2025, URSOR LIMITED. All rights reserved. DIY is in no way affiliated with Minecraft™, Mojang, Microsoft, Roblox™ or YouTube. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group which does not sponsor, endorse or authorize this website or event. Made with love in San Francisco.

All Activities

Dry your food

Dry your food

FREEZE DRYING tips for BEGINNERS: plus What's the DIFFERENCE between DEHYDRATING & FREEZE DRYING?

Food Safety & Hygiene for Kids! | Food Safety for Kids

4 Videos

How do you make homemade dried fruit and herbs safely?

What materials do I need for drying fruit and herbs at home?

What ages is drying fruit and herbs suitable for?

What are the benefits and safety tips for drying fruit and herbs with kids?