Snacktime! 7 Fun and Creative Ways to Encourage Your Kids to Eat More Fruits and Veggies by Jane Nicholson

As a mom of two, I know first hand that with kids comes a lot of snack requests! And I’ve found that finding inventive ways to ensure your kids enjoy not only their favorite snacks but also a variety of fruits and veggies can be a game-changer. Here are 7 easy ways to switch things up and motivate your kids to try new or more fruits and veggies, tackling picky eating. 

1. Prep Together for Easy Lunch Box Packing

Turn lunch-packing into a family affair by involving your kids in preparing fresh fruits and veggies. Slice and dice together, creating a tray that's both accessible and ready when time to pack lunches. Working together on this is not only a great bonding activity but also helps your kids choose nutritious options.

2. Dip, dip, dip!

Snack dippers are a great way to expand your kids' palate. Introduce an assortment of dips – from yogurt to hummus – and pair them with different fruits and veggies. Dipping foods adds an element of fun, making it more likely that your little ones will try and explore new flavors and textures. Add sprinkles on top of yogurt for extra fun. 

3. Snackle Boxes for On-the-Go 

For busy days and family travels, snackle boxes become your best friend. Pack a variety of fruits, veggies, and other kid favorite snacks into individual compartments. Kids love Snackle boxes because they're like having a snack treasure chest – easy to pack with all sorts of fun treats in separate compartments. It makes snacking fun and convenient wherever they are!

4. Playful Plates for Creativity

Encourage your kids to play with their food by presenting meals on a fun dress-up plate. Arrange foods into different shapes and let them assemble their own edible food art. This not only fosters creativity but also turns mealtime into an engaging experience. Here I was introducing beets and beet hummus for the first time on this dress up plate. 

 5. Themed Snack Boards for Special Occasions

Celebrate special moments with themed snack boards, like a Valentine's Day spread featuring a palette of pink-colored foods. Use a heart fruit and vegetable cutter to make a heart cut out on the cheese. And use it on pink dragonfruit to create fun heart shapes. Store-bought puff pastry is so easy to work with, the kids can help make these heart shaped jam puff pastry treats with you.  

For the strawberry chia jam, you will need:

1 cup strawberries, roughly cut

1-2 tbsp maple syrup

1 tbsp chia seeds

1/2 lemon, squeezed

2-3 tbsp water

Place ingredients in a small saucepan and let it come to a boil. Mash the strawberries to desired consistency. Let simmer for 5-10 minutes until liquid is mostly dissolved. Set aside and let cool. 

For the puff pastry, you will need: 

1 pack of store bought puff pastry

1 egg, whisked

Heart shaped cookie cutter

On a lightly floured surface, lay out puff pastry and roll out slightly. Use a heart shaped cookie cutter to cut out hearts with puff pastry. Top with the Strawberry chia jam. Brush whisked egg on top. Place hearts  on a parchment lined paper sheet pan and bake in oven at 400 fahrenheit for 15 mins. Optional: dust with a little powdered sugar on top at the end.

6. Muffin Tin Snack Tray

Muffin tin trays are a playful way to present a variety of snacks, and you can get creative by adding dips like poppyseed dressing or yogurt alongside colorful veggies. It's a good combination of presentation and taste that keeps things interesting.

7. Slice and Shape

You can change the way your kids see fruits and veggies by simply changing how you cut them. A crinkle cutter can add a magical touch, creating a different shape that captures their attention. For another fun twist, put fruits on a stick, turning blueberries into a wand. These small changes can make a big difference and can help with picky eating! 

Try Incorporating these creative ideas into your routine and see how it can make a big difference in how your kids perceive and enjoy fruits and veggies. Moreover, by making healthy eating interactive and fun, you're not just nourishing their bodies but also cultivating a positive relationship with food that will last a lifetime.

Jane Nicholson is a mom of two! She is also a cookbook author, blogger, food and lifestyle photographer and creator of Food Kids Love. An accessible and non-judgmental space that provides everyday inspiration for kid-friendly snacks, lunchboxes and meals. Follow her on instagram! @food.kids.love. For more recipe ideas, buy her cookbook full of lunch, snack and meal inspiration including recipes with an Asian twist!