How Do You Make Mealtime More Fun? 

Add a little fun to the mealtime mix!

Jan. 13, 2022

Baby led weaning bib by Bibbrella

Mealtime isn’t an ordeal just for parents, it can be stressful for children too. Whether you have a fussy eater on your hands or an energetic toddler who can’t sit still, mealtime can feel like a chore for both you and your babe. Need to lighten up the mood at the table? Read on to find out ways you can add a little fun to the mealtime mix!

Offer a Variety of Flavors and Textures

It can feel difficult to muster up an enticing menu after a long day, leaving many parents to resort to cafeteria-like routines and foods when it comes to mealtime options. The way to impress children with food isn’t making baby-appropriate coq au vin, however. Kids are less interested in your culinary prowess and more intrigued by new colors, flavors, and textures. Luckily, the latter is way easier. 

Suggestion: If you’re anything like us, you probably have small amounts of a million kinds of pasta hanging around your cupboard until you buy the next package to combine it with. Why not mix them all together to create a fun pasta dish and clear out the pantry in one fell swoop? Sure, this noodle smorgasbord may sound like blasphemy for an adult dinner party, but it might be just the thing that entertains kids enough to stay focused on eating (and finishing!) their meal. 

Get Creative

Not all parents have the artistic ability to turn sandwiches into animal-shaped tic-tac-toe pieces, and even more simply don’t have the time. If that’s the case, try using foods in new and innovative ways. Instead of the usual spaghetti in marinara sauce, consider using bucatini–a spaghetti-like noodle that’s hollow like a straw. And voilà! You’ve created an infinitely more amusing dish that takes the same amount of time and work. Who’s to say we shouldn’t try to drink marinara with a bucatini noodle? Just be sure to use a full-length baby bib to  prevent stains and help contain messes!

Involve Your Child

Whenever age appropriate, getting children involved in the preparation process is a way to get kids more interested in eating. This can be an especially useful option if you have a child who loves to be hands-on and has energy to spare. Rather than remaining seated in anticipation (which let’s be honest, can make anyone lose their mind if they’re hungry) kids will get to engage in novel activities. This also allows them to have some say in how their food is being prepared and therefore begin to develop a sense of responsibility around eating habits. Plus, you might be pleasantly surprised by how much kids love smooshing avocados into guacamole!

Have an Enjoyable Pre-meal Routine

A pre-meal routine doesn’t have to be all business (washing hands, turning off devices, etc.). Incorporate a fun activity while also keeping in mind that whatever is chosen should be suited for keeping kids entertained and looking forward to mealtime. In other words, turning on the TV may not be the best option for children who throw a tantrum when pulled away from the screen. Some activities that are fun but also prepare your little one for eating are drawing ingredient-inspired superheroes, giving foods goofy names, or singing about how much they love cheese.

Try Baby Led Weaning

One of the most powerful aspects of baby led weaning is promoting healthy eating habits and attitudes. But a critical part of making it a successful endeavor is you. Baby led weaning asks parents to let go of some of the control during mealtimes and to go with the flow. This in turn creates a less stressful environment that allows for flexibility, and perhaps more importantly, fun.

Appropriate accessories like a full-coverage baby bib can help make letting go easier for you and more enjoyable for your babe. Why micromanage a baby’s eating habits when mealtime can be an opportunity for the two of you to let loose and explore food together?