In the last few weeks, I’ve shared some activity ideas to use with picky eaters. I showed you how to make art projects out of those dreaded foods and how to create sensory experiences with the foods that those picky eaters hate.
The entire goal of these activities was to decrease the pressure on the picky eater. Instead of putting that dreaded food on the table in front of the child and saying, “Eat it!” these activities allow for the child to explore the dreaded foods in a playful and non-threatening manner that places no pressure on the child to actually eat the food. Actually, the goal is to tell the child that he doesn’t have to eat it, thus taking advantage of the natural tendency of humans to want to do the exact opposite of what they’ve been asked to do!
These activities are just two of the many options available to you to use. I could write a new blog each week with all of the food-related activities that you could use to expose the child to the foods that he hates in a less threatening manner. But instead of doing that, I’m going to share some links to some other great food-related activity ideas so that you can pick which ones are right for you and your picky eater,
Like this vegetable sensory table
Or this food group sorting activity that you can use with real or fake foods, being certain to include some foods that your picky eater loves, and some that he doesn’t.
Instead of using the edible paint in my food art project, you could consider using pudding as the paint, like in this post.
I absolutely love this food face plate idea, especially if you decide to use it as an activity to teach emotions as well!
This colorful toast activity is perfect for kids who don’t like bread or toast.
Looking for a variety of different food sensory table ideas? There are 15 different options in this post.
You could try this sensory activity, substituting the shaving cream for whipped cream.
This popcorn painting activity is perfect for kids who don’t like popcorn or crunchy textures.
You could do this slushy activity using fruit and vegetable juice, or really any liquid that your picky eater tries to avoid. As an extra bonus, this activity teaches a great science lesson, regardless of if any picky eating benefit occurs!
These 15 egg activities are great for kids who hate eating eggs. There will definitely be no pressure to eat these eggs! The goal here is to get kids to be ok with actually touching an egg or letting an egg touch the plate!
These watermelon activities would be perfect for kids who don’t like watermelon or who avoid wet foods that make their hands sticky, slimy or dirty.
Your picky eater will definitely want to eat some of these food science experiments.
Use your picky eater’s least favorite fruits and vegetables for this cookie cutter activity.
If your picky eater hates apples, these 40 apple activities might help. Many of these activities could use a different hated fruit or veggie for pressure-free exposure to that food.
And this oatmeal play doh would be perfect for any kid who hates oatmeal. Most kids have a really hard time not eating play doh!
If you have a picky eater and have been caught in a battle over food at the dinner table, take the pressure off by planning some of these food-based activities that include those dreaded foods. This can often times resolve some of the picky eating battles, but it can’t resolve all of them. Some kids have a sensory aversion to foods and may need some help even beyond what loving parents and caregivers can provide in those moments. If you’ve tried some of these activities and the picky eating continues, consider getting some counseling to help kick the picky eating battles.
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