Are you reading this after your child refused to eat the chocolate dosa they loved just two days ago? Tired of running behind them 3 times a day only to have them take a teeny tiny bite? Well, you’re at the right place. Find some fun ways, products and recipes to include in your child’s everyday meal time routine to make them look forward to it!
Getting a child to eat their meals can be a daily struggle for many parents, but with a little creativity and some kid-friendly tools, you can turn mealtime into an enjoyable experience for both you and your child. Whether it’s about introducing new foods or encouraging them to eat on their own, the key is to make eating fun and stress-free. In this guide, we’ll cover tips on how to get your child to eat their meals and more to make the process easier. We’ll also explore kid-friendly Indian recipes, including some easy Indian food recipes for kids that are sure to have your little one ask for seconds! What a dream come true that would be, right? Read on!
Why Mealtime Can Be Tricky for Kids?
Children are naturally curious, but they can also be picky, especially when it comes to food. Sometimes it’s about textures they’re not used to, or perhaps the food looks less appealing to them. Children are also easily distracted, which can make it hard for them to sit still long enough to finish a meal. Whatever the reason, it’s important to approach mealtime with patience and creativity. You got this!
Tip #1: Create a Positive Eating Environment
Before we dive into specific tips on how to get your child to eat, let’s understand what gets them comfortable. Mealtime should feel like a positive experience, not a battleground. Ensure that your child feels relaxed.
If you have a child that won’t stay still, consider using a baby high chair that keeps them in a stable position, allowing them to focus on their food. Also, using products like kid-friendly bowls and plates can add an element of fun to the dining table.
- Look for plates with bright colors or animal shapes.
- Animal-shaped silicone plates are especially popular as they are not only cute but also spill-proof and slip-resistant, making them perfect for children learning to feed themselves.
- When a child enjoys the look of their plate, they’re more likely to engage with their food.
Shop: Kid friendly dining - Safe silicone bowls, plates, spoons, forks and more!
Tip #2: Let Them Make a Mess
For toddlers especially, making a mess is part of the learning process. Give them the freedom to experiment with their food by allowing some degree of messiness.
- Silicone plates and silicone bowls make cleanup easy, as they’re designed to be durable and quick to wash.
- Use baby bibs to keep their clothes clean, so they can explore without ruining their outfits.
- If your child feels free to touch and interact with their food, they may become more comfortable with the idea of eating it.
- Letting your child feed themselves using silicone kid-friendly spoons can also foster independence.
- These spoons are soft and safe, designed for little hands and mouths, reducing the risk of injury while allowing your child to practice their coordination.
Shop baby bibs - cotton and silicone bibs, safe and secure.
Tip #3: Turn Food into Fun Shapes
Children are naturally drawn to bright colors and fun shapes, so why not incorporate that into their meals? Using cookie cutters, you can turn fruits, sandwiches, or even cooked vegetables into stars, hearts, or animal shapes. If you’re making kid-friendly recipes at home, particularly Indian recipes, you can shape rice or chapati into fun figures.
- For example, if you’re serving chapati, cut it into triangles, circles, or animal shapes. This simple trick can make even the most ordinary foods look exciting.
- You can also use colorful veggies like carrots, peas, and tomatoes to create faces or other designs on the plate.
- Presenting food in a visually appealing way may help entice a hesitant eater.
Pro tip: You can also include fun shaped plates instead of food! Find soft silicone plates in fun animal shapes only at 10clubhomes.
Tip #4: Get Them Involved in Meal Prep
Children love to feel important, and one way to boost their interest in food is to involve them in the preparation process. While you don’t want them near anything sharp or hot, they can help with tasks like washing vegetables, stirring batter, or adding toppings to a pizza. This engagement makes them more excited to eat what they’ve helped create.
- If you’re focusing on kid-friendly Indian food recipes, let them help sprinkle spices or roll dough.
- Simple tasks give them a sense of accomplishment, and they may be more eager to try what they helped prepare.
- Plus, it’s a great way to introduce new flavors and foods.
Pro tip: Give them soft silicone utensils like whisks or spatulas and other soft kitchenware prodcuts so that they don’t hurt themselves and yet feel involved.
Tip #5: Offer a Variety of Foods
One way to encourage a healthy appetite is to offer a variety of foods. Children can get bored easily, so rotating through different types of meals can keep things fresh. Experiment with kid-friendly recipes, including a mix of both familiar and new foods. If your child is hesitant to try something new, pair it with a food they already enjoy.
- For example, when introducing simple Indian recipes to your child, start with milder flavors like plain rice or buttered naan, then slowly incorporate more flavorful dishes like dal or mild curries.
- If they love yogurt, serve it alongside spiced rice or vegetable pulao, so they have something familiar to fall back on.
Tip #6: Use Silicone Bowls and Plates for Easy Feeding
As mentioned earlier, the tools you use for feeding your child can make a big difference. Products like silicone bowls and kid-friendly plates are designed to be safe, durable, and fun for children.
- Look for silicone animal-shaped plates that are not only visually engaging but also spill-proof to reduce accidents.
- These plates often have divided sections, which is helpful for kids who don’t like their foods to touch.
- Silicone is a great material for children’s dinnerware because it’s soft yet sturdy.
- It’s also easy to clean—just pop it in the dishwasher or give it a quick rinse—and it can withstand high temperatures, making it safe for reheating food.
Tip #7: Make Mealtime a Routine
Children thrive on routine, and mealtime is no exception. Try to serve meals at the same time every day, and create a predictable structure around eating. This consistency can help your child understand when it’s time to sit down and eat. Over time, they may become more cooperative if they know what to expect.
- Make the routine fun by serving their meals on kid-friendly bowls and plates that they enjoy.
- Incorporate a playful element by letting them choose their plate or spoon for the day, or by adding a surprise treat in one section of the plate.
Kid-Friendly Indian Recipes to Try
Indian cuisine offers a wealth of flavors, but not all of them may be immediately appealing to kids. However, there are plenty of mild, flavorful dishes that children tend to enjoy. Here are a few you can try:
- Paneer is a soft, cheese-like ingredient that kids often love. Prepare a mild curry using tomato, cumin, and just a hint of garam masala.
- Pulao is a rice dish cooked with peas, carrots, and mild spices. You can serve it with a dollop of yogurt or a side of plain naan.
- Offer them dosas! Serve it with coconut chutney for a fun dipping experience.
- A kid-friendly version of the famous butter chicken can be made by reducing the spice and serving it with buttered naan or plain rice.
These recipes are not only delicious but also nutritious, providing your child with essential vitamins and minerals while appealing to their taste buds.
Getting your child to eat their meals doesn’t have to be a battle. By using the above products, fun meal presentations, and engaging them in the process, you can make mealtime enjoyable for everyone. Combine these tactics with creative food combinations to keep your child excited about what’s on their plate. With a little patience and creativity, your child will soon look forward to eating their meals!
Happy parenting!