Making Meals Fun
My little man is 3 years old. Which means he would definitely rather be eating his food with his toys, or in front of his favorite tv show, or even simply on the couch because that’s way more fun than at the table! And he’s 3, and stubborn, so getting him to sit at the table for meals can be a hard core battle. So here are some tips from this mom to you!
Tips for Making Mealtime Fun!
Fly Airplanes
Maybe it’s a trick for babies, but my 3 year old enjoys having an “airplane” of food flown into his mouth. One day he even ran laps around the kitchen between bites flying in. The bottom line was that he ate in the kitchen, so I was happy. Making sound effects and interacting happily makes mealtime go much better, and gets a few extra bites in.
Give Rewards
Rewards can be getting to watch a special show, eat a yummy dessert, or go to a fun event. They can be as small as star stickers. Something to show you are celebrating that your child listened and joined you at the table. Offer verbal praise and be proud that they sat with you! Mealtime in other locations can also be a reward: Micah gets to have a picnic in the living room on special days or after listening really well during an outing, etc. This reminds him (at least in my mind) that eating at the table is the expectation, but eating in the living room can be a fun reward if he’s good in other areas.
Get fun dinnerware!
We recently got a fun farm-oriented placemat for our 3 year old. He enjoys looking at the animals and the farm while eating. Other fun items can be as simple as bright plates with fun designs! Check out Nuby’s Fun Feeding Plates! These are bright, durable, dishwasher-friendly, and fun!
Find a Fun Seat!
Some families talk about letting their kids sit on exercise balls while eating. Others let their kids decorate their booster to make it their own. My son recently re-discovered his booster and loves buckling himself in, which traps him at the table until I unbuckle. Find a way to make a seat their own and encourage the fun in it.
Have Realistic Expectations
He’s three, so sitting with us at every meal might be shooting too high. Setting short time limits means I may not be done eating, but he’s sitting at the table in front of his food for at least 2 minutes; if he’s hungry, he’ll stay and eat more even when the time is up.
Another expectation we have is that he’ll eat what we eat. Sometimes he simply doesn’t like it, and then we expect 3 big bites (“because I’m 3 old”) before he gets to eat something else. If he doesn’t eat? I leave it on the table and remind him it’s sitting there when he asks for a snack later. He still may refuse it and grab another snack, but all the snacks he can reach are healthy so that’s ok.
Other parents, any other tips for making mealtime go better? I’d love to hear them!
Nuby sponsored this post by providing me with a fun feeding plate. Opinions are 100% my own.
The child’s solution to making meal time more fun is to let them eat ice cream for every meal.
I love that these plates are durable & dishwasher safe! The kids will love the bright colors & the frogs!
I think the realistic expectations part is very important. Thanks for sharing!
These are wonderful suggestions and good to try! So many kids have no interest in regular food, it is amazing!
I don’t remember all the way back to being 3 years old and I’ve never had kids. My family expected everyone to eat together at the dinner table.
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