Children of all ages can be picky regarding food. They might demand the same meal for six days straight before turning their nose up at it on day seven and refusing to eat it again. There are many reasons for this, but a great way to overcome these types of issues is by bringing them into the preparation process.

According to Mothercould’s Myriam Sandler, getting your kids involved in the kitchen shows them how food is made, what goes into different meals they enjoy, and it provides them with a level of responsibility and pride over the finished product. But the kitchen doesn’t have to be solely about preparing meals. You can use plenty of other activities to get your kids involved in the kitchen.

Edible Play Dough

Myriam’s taste-safe sensory play recipes are the centerpiece of Mothercould and the reason she started sharing her experiences.

“After having my first daughter, I noticed she wasn’t interested in eating solid food,” Myriam says. “She was one by this point, and the doctors weren’t concerned because she was in the 90^th percentile for height and weight. They were fine with her just having milk. I wasn’t fine with that. I realized her issue was with textures.”

The first recipe Sandler created was edible play dough. She expanded the palette from there, and within six months, her daughter started eating things like salmon and quinoa.

She encourages moms to invite their children into the kitchen to create these recipes after seeing the benefits.

“It’s about having your children join you in the kitchen and meeting at the same level. They can help measure, mix, and put it all together, and we both enjoy the victory in creating a sensory tool to play with.”

Tools for Kids

Many parents feel nervous about involving their children in the kitchen because so many dangerous objects are around. Luckily, Myriam says you can invest in tools for kids that are safe and easy for them to use. It allows you, the parent, to assign children simple tasks and know they can carry them out safely. Not only does it teach them independence, but it also makes them more likely to sit down and eat the entire meal.

“It feels good when you create things with your child, especially if it’s something they can play with or benefit from long term.”

Getting Fruity

Fruit can change flavor and texture, which is why many children have aversions with certain fruits. Getting them involved can help them explore more flavors.

If you have older children, you can involve them in preparing fruit snacks. A great way to cut up a watermelon quickly, and without sharp knives, is with dental floss.

A whisk is another handy tool that kids can be involved with. Whisks can even be used to remove the insides of a kiwi.

It’s entertaining for your children to watch, and depending on their age, they can tackle the task with you.

Sous Chef

If your children have a favorite snack or meal, getting them involved in the preparation can be a great way to start the sensory kitchen journey. Grilled cheese is a popular favorite for a reason, and it is so simple to make.

Myriam says one way you can involve the kids is with a child-safe grater. This means they can help with the cheese, and they can grab a step stool to stand at the stove with you to watch the magic.

“There are benefits to the experience that extends beyond the 10 or 20 minutes it takes. It’s the process of learning and connecting with your child.”

Berry Nice

Whether your children love strawberries or cherries, you can entertain them endlessly with this handy straw hack. Just shove the straw through the bottom of the strawberry right through the top to remove the green.

It works just the same for cherries. You will need to do this for smaller children, but older children can try it themselves. It’s fun, and it makes it easy for kids to enjoy fruit without the risk of greens and pits.

You can view more of Myriam’s fantastic kitchen hacks on her website or follow her on Instagram and TikTok.