Play can make everything easier.

If you're looking to introduce some new foods to your child, doing so through play can make all the difference.

Using play to make mealtimes fun

Here’s a simple trick: Invite your child’s toy friends to join in! Set up a camp or transform any space with a sheet to create a fresh, playful environment. For example, throw a sheet over the kitchen table and enjoy an indoor picnic underneath.

By making the meal feel more like a picnic adventure, your child’s usual mealtime pressures - like sitting in a high chair - melt away. The novelty of eating in a new space can work wonders for getting them interested in new foods, textures, and smells.

Tips for making it work

Create a Playful Setting: Set up a picnic spot in a new room or build a fort with sheets. The trick here is the novelty of somewhere new. It feels like a fun picnic and any pressure they may have previously felt to eat whilst sitting in their high chair just disappears.

Join in the Fun: Sit with your child and eat your own plate of the same foods you want them to try. Role-play feeding the new foods to their toys or stuffed animals to encourage engagement.

Be Patient and Playful: Even if they don’t eat the new foods right away, they’re being exposed to them in a positive, pressure-free way. They’ll be more open to trying new things over time.

Embrace the mess

Messy meals are often the most memorable ones. Don’t worry about a few crumbs in the bedroom or an extra bit of cleanup - these shared experiences with your child are worth it! Let them enjoy exploring new foods in a relaxed and fun environment.

Do you have picnics around your home? Share your ideas below for other parents.

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