5 Pinterest Recipes That Encourage Kids to Play With Their Food

Our house is home to one of the pickiest eaters on the planet. Eventually, we found the solution: Have him help make dinner. He might only be 4 years old, but just letting him stir, mix, or pour gave him a vested interest in the meal and made him more likely to eat it.

But what to cook when kids are in the kitchen? What will keep them healthy and keep their interest? Fear not; social media has the answer. Here are five Pinterest recipes that will turn dinnertime into fun time in no time at all.

 1. Rainbow veggies
Help preschoolers learn their colors with an ode to Roy G. Biv the handy mnemonic device for red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. It will give you a chance to sneak in a wide variety of veggies, and your little one a chance to chow down on a bunch of colorful new foods.

2. Hungry Caterpillar sandwiches
This is by far one of my favorite books to read to my 4-year-old. So when I found the recipe, I was pretty excited. The sandwiches are simple to make and even more fun to eat. Be sure to read the book before, during, and maybe even after lunch for the extreme Hungry Caterpillar experience.

3. Panda sushi
This is a great recipe for older kids to use to test their strength in the kitchen  there’s little to no supervision needed. Of course, you’ll need to buy a few sheets of nori (seaweed) and try your hand at making sticky rice, but after that, the setup is pretty easy and well worth the cute payoff. You’ll be smitten by these little guys.

4. Corndog mini-muffins
Break out the muffin tin for this great recipe that will have your kids coming back for more. These corndog mini-muffins are great for packed lunches or dinners on the run. Chances are, you already have all the ingredients in your kitchen, so go ahead and make a batch tonight.

5. Seven-layer dip cups
These kid-sized servings of seven-layer dip are perfect for a hungry crowd. Each cup holds a layer of beans, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, salsa, pico de gallo, and olives. Top each with a few chips, and you’re ready to party.

Mealtime made easy
If you’re ever in a pinch for a snack that you and your little one can prepare together, whether it’s just for the two of you or as a side dish at the dinner table, Pinterest definitely makes a great starting point. Search by keywords like “kid-friendly recipes,” and you’re sure to find dozens of fun ways to engage your children in the kitchen.