Around here the kids like to cook too. Every time I talk about a new recipe I have one child who pipes up with all his fantastic ideas, sometimes even suggesting he write the recipe or arrange the food for photos. He is my biggest critique and the ultimate kid foodie. Unlike many kids he is adventurous about his food and forbid you ever make him food that comes from a box. He hates it. However, most kids are easier (or is it harder?) to please. Today we are sharing our favorite kid friendly snack recipes with you. I am also sharing my tips for making adventurous kid eaters, along with other bloggers’ kid friendly recipes. It’s kid friendly food day around here.
9 Healthy Kid Friendly Snack Recipes
Super Yummy Healthier Key Lime Popsicles
Baked Apple Chips – The Viet Vegan
Chocolate Dipped Banana – Sugarhero
Nut Allergy Friendly Cheerio Trail Mix
Salad on a Stick – Barefeet in the Kitchen
1, 2, 3 Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Homemade Chicken Fries (snack or lunch)
Ants on a Log – celery with peanut butter and raisins
Tips for Making Picky Eaters Adventurous Eaters
I’ll preface this by saying that I’m not a professional. I’m just a mom sharing what helped make my kids more adventurous eaters. I have 1 adventurous eater, 1 in the middle, and 1 crazy picky kid who is finally learning. People ask me how I get my kids to eat so well, so I am finally sharing my tips for making (my) picky eaters adventurous eaters. 3 years ago “crazy picky” wouldn’t eat salad. Now she chooses a salad over french fries. Eventually meal time will be easier. Does it mean you have a few battles to fight first? Most likely, but I found that if I stick through the food battles and stay consistent, eventually they become happy eaters.
Get them involved – let kids help pick out healthy foods at the grocery store. They are more likely to eat what they choose. Then go one step further and let them take part in making snacks and meals. There is nothing more kid friendly than letting them help make the meal.
Get creative – let the kids create new lunch or snack ideas. Not only are they more likely to eat it but they also learn what works together and what doesn’t. If you know it is going to be absolutely disgusting encourage them in a new direction and teach them about what better options would be.
Try new things – Listen to yourself. Do you say “Oh, you won’t like that.”? Stop it. Change your thinking. Ask your kids to try new things. Explain that as we get older we like different things and they don’t want to find out they have been missing a food that becomes a favorite as an adult. It’s good to try things we don’t like occasionally.
Don’t give options – Make dinner and that is that. I have always made one meal for the whole family. I usually make sure to have only 1 item that is new or they don’t like at the meal but always make them eat a little of it.
Ease into it – want your kids to eat ethnic or spice laden foods? Start them young or slowly ramp up the flavor and spice over time.
For the love of everything, don’t put ketchup on offending items just to get them to eat it.
One Comment