Fun and Easy Activities for Picky Eaters

by Jenny Friedman, RD | Mar 23, 2020

With shelter in place, stay at home orders, and social distancing affecting most of us, concentrated time at home has become the new norm. From speaking with families like yours, I know the struggle isn’t staying in, but keeping busy and continuing to manage the same struggles you’re facing every day: feeding and helping your picky eater.

These at-home activities are effective and fun for managing picky eating even when we’re not facing the Coronavirus pandemic. Because they use supplies that you likely already have in your home, they’re perfect when we’re limiting trips to the store.

I also encourage you to think of your own activities to help your picky eater. I love all cooking activities, so invite your child into the kitchen with you whether you’re making a treat, a snack, or a meal for your family.

Beyond that, anything that stimulates your child’s sensory system and/or gets them directly or tangentially engaging with food is effective.

Good luck and stay sane at home!

Fun and Easy Stay-at-Home Activities for Picky Eaters

Cook

Make banana “ice cream” in a blender
Ants on a log
Biscuits with cookie cutters
Fruit kebabs
Crispy smashed potatoes
Healthy fruit popsicles
A bunch of fun activities

Play

Tic tac toe
Make your own play dough
Food group sorting
Blind taste testing
Food bowling
Food alphabet scavenger hunt

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Get Crafty

Food art with cookie cutters
Apple or bell pepper print art
Make your own edible finger paint
Create a self portrait out of vegetables or other foods
Create food critters
Make your own Mr. Potato Head
Build your own house with toothpicks and cubed fruit or cheese

Messy Play with

Shaving cream or whipped cream
Pudding
Cornmeal or kernels
Cooked pasta
Jello
Kinetic sand
Yogurt
Bubbles
Cotton balls
Packing peanuts
Pompoms

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