Engaging Kids
Engaging kids with veg 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 makes a real difference!
Kids who engage regularly with veg through veg-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 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
If your child particularly struggles with veg, then why not start with veg-based arts & crafts or puzzles – these can be a gentle and fun way to get them to engage with vegetables without the pressure to eat them. Starting with these “about veg” rather than “with veg” activities that don’t involve them having to physically interact with them is a really easy way to get a step closer to engaging with the real thing.
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 with the kids, getting them to help you meal plan (they get to choose which veggies 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
If you praise them as they enjoy these activities it will make it easier to move on to the next steps such as sensory exploration of veg, helping to prepare or cook the veggies, and eventually eating them.
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 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 eventual aim, if possible, is to get kids in the kitchen. Don’t worry, this doesn’t have to mean they are with you from start-to-end creating mess and rising stress levels! It can be as simple as giving them one small job (stirring, measuring, pouring, grating, chopping…) ideally involving veg. They can come in to do their little bit, and have fun with you for a few minutes. Getting them involved, making it playful and praising them plenty for their involvement, perhaps even serving it as dinner they “made”, makes it much more likely they will eat the food offered, not to mention teaching them important life skills.
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?
SIMPLY VEG
Need to get your kids eating more veg?
Our only goal is to help parents and carers serve up affordable, simple food their families will love. We know that takes more than a few recipes, so we've got all the hacks and advice you'll need. Join now. It's 100% free and 100% simple.
Follow Us on Social