Engaging Kids
Engaging kids with veg, fruit & beans is an easy way to take a step closer to them actually eating it! Whether it’s starting out with crafts and science experiments, or moving on to sensory exploration or even getting kids in the kitchen, we have expert tips for you on how to do it the easy way!
Engaging kids with veg, fruit & beans is an easy way to take a step closer to them actually eating it! Whether it’s starting out with crafts and science experiments, or moving on to sensory exploration or even getting kids in the kitchen, we have expert tips for you on how to do it the easy way!
Why is engagement important?
Because it works!
Kids who engage regularly with veg, fruit and beans through themed activities, such as arts and crafts, sensory experiences, growing and cooking are shown to be more likely to eat the veg they engage with. Encouraging kids to engage and play with veg and fruit is the handy first step to them developing a good relationship with veg and life-long healthy eating.
Start slow with “about veg” engagement
Arts & Crafts
For kids who find veg challenging, veg-themed arts & crafts can be a gentle way to start, no touching or tasting needed. These low-pressure activities help them feel more comfortable before moving on to real veg and fruit.
Puzzles & Games
Not an arty child? No problem!
Try some puzzles & games for those who prefer a crossword or the puzzle pages of magazines that are veg-themed and great fun!
Science
If your child prefers science to arts then check out the amazing Gastronaut himself, Stefan Gates, providing budget-friendly simple science experiments you can do at home.
Shopping
Why not try shopping for veg and fruit with the kids, getting them to help you meal plan (they get to choose which veggies, fruit & beans go in your dinner) or simply ask them to pick out the veg you have selected in store and to put it in your basket. Give limited choices if you feel they may resist picking any given the choice of all.
TOP TIP
Praise them for engaging at any stage! It helps build confidence for the next steps, like sensory play or helping in the kitchen.
Move on to “with veg” engagement
Sensory
Once you feel your child is ready to engage a little more, you can show them how to explore the veg and fruit you have on hand with their senses, coming up with playful silly descriptions of how a veg smells, feels, looks, sounds and perhaps even tastes.
Kids in the Kitchen
The goal is to involve kids in simple, fun kitchen tasks – no need for full-on cooking sessions. A quick job like stirring, pouring, measuring or chopping (with supervision!) can boost pride and increase the chance they’ll try the veg they helped prepare.
REMOVE PRESSURE
Remember that pressure is never a friend in this process, so the tasting (while the eventual aim) is not required, just encouraged.
Sometimes just hearing “You don’t have to try and you don’t have to like” around veg can make a child relax enough that they are willing to give it a chance! Whether you are giving them a colouring sheet, shopping and planning, or cooking together, increasingly engaging kids with veg, even slowly over time, lays the foundation for them eventually eating those veggies.
Do you have a question you’d like one of our experts to help you with?
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