Whether you have a teenager or a toddler, getting kids in the kitchen is important. And though playing with food is usually discouraged, our family thinks it’s fun and a huge part of the learning process! Raising our children to be healthy and make wise decisions regarding food starts early. Lifelong nutrition begins with first foods, whether that is purees or Baby Led Weaning. If our children do not know where food comes from or how it is prepared, they are less likely to be healthy and make smart choices in the long run… so let’s start playing with food!
Kids in the Kitchen
The following are links to fun food ideas, resources to help teach kids about food and making healthy choices, and activities to help explore food.
Fun Food
Montessori-Inspired Food Art from Living Montessori Now
Fun Food for Kids from Learn with Play at Home
Food Before One is Just for Fun: BLW from ALLterNATIVElearning
Puzzle-cut food from The Life of Jennifer Dawn
Cookie Cutter Fruit Chips from ALLterNATIVElearning
Cookie Cutter Eggs in a Basket from True Aim Education
Resources
Healthy Eating Printable Activities for Preschoolers from The Craft Train
Eat a Rainbow from Kiddie Foodies
Food from Around the World from Love Preschool
How to Raise a Kiddie Foodie from Kiddie Foodies
Activities
Edible Food Play from The Good Long Road
Exploring the 5 Senses in the Kitchen from KC Edventures
Literacy in the Kitchen from Growing Book by Book
When did you start getting your kids in the kitchen? Do you encourage playing with food? Share your experiences with teaching your children to live a more healthy lifestyle below!
If you have a great healthy idea, share it via social media with the hashtag #NutritionStartsEarly – it is a double entendre, so it could mean that it starts as kids and/or it starts in the morning!
For more on healthy food for your kids, please visit Healthy Snacks for Kids.
Kara is an author and advocate for positive, grace-filled parenting. She is homeschooler to her 5 children living on a farm in New England. She believes in creative educational approaches to help kids dive deeper into a rich learning experience and has her degree in Secondary Education & Adolescent Childhood Development. She is passionate about connecting with and helping other parents on their journey to raise awesome kids!
Jodie @ Growing Book by Book
Thanks for the feature!
Jennifer Fischer
What a great share! Thanks for including us.