Engaging Kids
How can I help my child feel more comfortable with healthy food?
Children become more comfortable with healthy food when they can explore it without pressure. Touching, choosing, helping, talking and playing around food all help children become more familiar and confident, making it easier to try new foods over time.
This page is full of easy, low-pressure ways to get kids involved, from sensory play and kitchen jobs to crafts, games and everyday food conversations. Discover realistic expert tips that can help make trying healthy foods feel less stressful for everyone.
How do I start without pressure?
If your child is particularly cautious, then start away from the plate. Simple activities like colouring, crafts and games help kids get used to veg, fruit and beans in a relaxed, playful way, no touching or tasting needed.
What if my child won’t do crafts?
Not an arty child? No problem! Try puzzles and games instead. Themed word searches, quizzes and activities can make veg, fruit & beans feel familiar and fun, without any pressure to eat.
How can I make veg more fun?
Turn it into an experiment. Stefan Gates shares simple, low-cost food science activities that spark curiosity and get kids engaging with veg, fruit & beans in a completely different way.
Can shopping help picky eaters?
Yes! Being involved builds interest. Let them choose between a couple of options or help pick items in-store. Feeling part of the process makes them more likely to engage later.
Does cooking together really help?
Yes, but on your terms. Small jobs like stirring, pouring or chopping can build pride and curiosity without the kitchen chaos you just don’t need on a school night! The Triplets in my Kitchen help us show how simple tasks can make a big difference.
How do I keep kids safe in the kitchen?
Start with simple, age-appropriate tasks and build from there. Food writer Jenny Chandler shares practical tips to help kids learn safely and confidently.
Does talking about fruit & veg help?
Yes, this is actually an essential skill if you want your child to eat more new, healthy foods. Dr Clare Holley explains how relaxed conversations help make veg, fruit & beans feel familiar and less intimidating over time.
How do I get my child to try new foods?
Start with the senses. Kim Smith suggests exploring how food looks, smells and feels first, no pressure to taste, just playful discovery.
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.
Confused about 5-a-day? You’re not alone.
Don’t worry, you just need the right know-how.
From “what counts as 5-a-day?” to “why won’t my child eat veg?”, this is where to start.
Our experts break it down into simple, practical steps so you can build confidence, waste less food, and make small changes that actually stick.
How do I make meals healthier without starting from scratch?
We’re not here to persuade you to cook completely new meals your family might not like. Instead, we help you take the food your family already loves – your food – and make it a little healthier, one small, simple step at a time.
No faff. No food waste. No dinner-table battles.
How do I make mealtimes easier?
The moments before food is offered can be a perfect opportunity for engagement that can help make it more likely a child will eat it! We have advice and practical tips to make it a simple and free process for you.
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