I created If It Does Not Grow – Just Say No: Eatable Activities for Kids for children of all ages to discover how much fun they can have with fruits and vegetables. As a mom, I want my kids to eat healthy foods, and I found myself getting frustrated when they just weren’t interested. That’s when I decided to try a fun-based approach, using enjoyable activities to encourage my kids to eat fruits and vegetables. This simple activity book empowers kids to explore healthy eating and living while helping them see just how much better they will feel eating foods that support their energy.
One of my favorite interactive ways to have kids try new foods is to play the brave game. My kids love this activity because they get to choose if they will test out the new fruit or vegetable, and watch each other’s reactions. Below are the steps for you to guide your kids in the brave exercise:
1.) Ask your kids if they are brave. Of course they will say YES I am brave!
2.) Ensure you have plenty of fruits and vegetables on hand that they have never tried before or already tasted and did not like. Many times, as their taste buds mature, the kids will change their minds on things they once thought tasted bad.
3.) Next ask your kids if they want to taste a new (or previously “yuck!”) fruit or a vegetable, then allow them to select from the options.
4.) Encourage them to take a bite of their chosen fruit or vegetable, and then discuss what it tasted like, smelled like, felt like. If they decided not to try, simply ask why not?
5.) Repeat this process over and over. It never gets old! The book includes tracking charts for this fruit and vegetable challenge (plus a fruit-as-dessert challenge!)
TIP: I have found that offering incentives and doing this activity as a family is most effective.
Healthy eating doesn’t have to be a chore for your kids or for you. Make it fun and creative, and you will be building healthy habits for a lifetime.
One of my favorite interactive ways to have kids try new foods is to play the brave game. My kids love this activity because they get to choose if they will test out the new fruit or vegetable, and watch each other’s reactions. Below are the steps for you to guide your kids in the brave exercise:
1.) Ask your kids if they are brave. Of course they will say YES I am brave!
2.) Ensure you have plenty of fruits and vegetables on hand that they have never tried before or already tasted and did not like. Many times, as their taste buds mature, the kids will change their minds on things they once thought tasted bad.
3.) Next ask your kids if they want to taste a new (or previously “yuck!”) fruit or a vegetable, then allow them to select from the options.
4.) Encourage them to take a bite of their chosen fruit or vegetable, and then discuss what it tasted like, smelled like, felt like. If they decided not to try, simply ask why not?
5.) Repeat this process over and over. It never gets old! The book includes tracking charts for this fruit and vegetable challenge (plus a fruit-as-dessert challenge!)
TIP: I have found that offering incentives and doing this activity as a family is most effective.
Healthy eating doesn’t have to be a chore for your kids or for you. Make it fun and creative, and you will be building healthy habits for a lifetime.
RSS Feed