How to Design Meal Play Games

by Paige Tighe

Overview

Many little ones are picky eaters. They cry, they scream, they throw their food on the floor, they hold their breath, they gag themselves. And, eventually, parents give in to their rants. Each time a temper tantrum works, it strengthens the resolve of the child and weakens that of the parent. Some parents give up and feed their children only what they will eat without a fight. Others make mealtime miserable for the whole family by forcing the issue. But wise parents get creative; they use cunning and trickery to make mealtime fun.
Preparing Family Meals Together

Step 1

Prepare your child for each meal by allowing him to help prepare his own meals. Add voices to veggies, or let your little one make the potatoes dance. Remind him that mealtime is fun and food is good for his body.
Step 2

Create an atmosphere of joy--one free of anxiety. Play a CD of happy music, and dance with your child as you prepare a meal together and set the table. Make it a party.
Step 3

Make place cards sporting family members' names. Have your child go room to room inviting his family members to his dinner party.

What's Cooking?

Step 1

Have your little one dictate a list to you of foods he loves. Do not approach this step negatively by asking him what foods he will not eat. Next, have him dictate a list of foods he likes. Make sure he knows the difference.
Step 2

Work from your child's lists to create fun meals and get his input as you plan. Make every attempt to feed him something on each list at each meal. If he loves mashed potatoes and likes corn and raisins, give him mashed potatoes with a corn smile and raisin eyes. You might have to release yourself from the boundaries of foods traditionally eaten together.
Step 3

Offer your child foods that are not on his lists, but be reasonable as you evaluate the foods you are considering. Do not offer your child foods because you had to eat them when you were little.
Step 4

Make the food fun: Call it fun names, and cut it into interesting shapes with a knife or cookie cutter. Make up stories and songs about it. Heart-shaped meatloaf can be loads of fun.

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Fun music CD player Paper Pen Healthful food Paring knife Cookie cutters Chopsticks Skewers Personalized children's silverware Bento box Small picnic basket Nibble tray
Fun music
CD player
Paper
Pen
Healthful food
Paring knife
Cookie cutters
Chopsticks
Skewers
Personalized children's silverware
Bento box
Small picnic basket
Nibble tray
For extra fun, allow your child to eat healthful foods with chopsticks or skewers. Some children will eat anything with these items. Buy him pint-sized silverware with pictures or his name on them. If possible, let your child eat his food from a small picnic basket, bento box or a nibble tray.
For extra fun, allow your child to eat healthful foods with chopsticks or skewers. Some children will eat anything with these items. Buy him pint-sized silverware with pictures or his name on them. If possible, let your child eat his food from a small picnic basket, bento box or a nibble tray.