Foods That Make You Smile Round-Up
Traditionally, playing with your food has been a no-no. But we are here to say “Play away!” Recent studies show that playing with food and having no pressure to eat it actually lets kids become more comfortable with different types of foods and more likely to try them (rather than shying away from them). We are here for it! We’ve gathered eight recipes-turned-activities that will let your children know that playing with their food is not only okay, it’s encouraged! Bon appetit!
Funny Food Faces
Use veggies and fruits of all shapes and sizes to craft silly faces on your plate. For extra fun use a special porcelain plate that makes snacktime crafting even more entertaining. Find the full directions here.
Pesto Toast Tangram Dragons
This tasty treat is an ever-changing puzzle of shapes that uses imagination and mixes snack time with math for fun and learning. Find the full recipe here.
Open “Faced” Sandwiches
Let a piece of bread serve as the canvas for your next food portrait. Choose favorite ingredients and build out eyes, nose, a mouth, and even some hair (especially if you like sprouts!) Find the full recipe here.
Forest Caterpillar Snack
Tomatoes and celery may not sound like a very fun snack on their own, but when you turn them into a caterpillar — it’s game on! Find the full recipe here.
Ladybugs
These sweet mouth-size morsels are simple to make with strawberries for bodies and dark chocolate bits for spots. Find the full recipe here.
Hand-Shaken Milk Shakes
Any flavor, any size makes this yummy snack perfect for all ages and tastes. Mix your favorite ingredients and give it a delicious shake, shake, shake. Find the full recipe here.
Fire-Roasted Marshmallow Strawberries
These are not your traditional s’mores, but they are just as fun to put together and eat. Add a strawberry and some fluff to a stick and brown over a flame for a delightful treat. Find the full directions here.
Rock Candy
Turn snack time into your very own science experiment. These brightly colored candies are sure to delight even the pickiest eater. Find the full recipe here.
About the Author
Suzanne Loring
A New England girl at heart, Suzanne hails from the Green Mountains of Vermont where she rides boards and bikes, climbs rocks, and runs trails with her two boys, husband, and pup, Jango. She can usually be found reading a book or writing (and rewriting) her first novel.
