Activities for Toddlers That Involve Garden Foods

Toddlers are not that far removed from eating strained and pureed versions of fruits and vegetables. Invariably, however, there will come a time when you would like your tyke to try a new food that he's simply not into, and assuring him that it's good for him just isn't enough. By introducing garden foods into his diet as a fun activity, you've won half the battle.

  1. Involve Him in the Harvesting

    • One effective way to interest your toddler in fruits and vegetables is by letting him help in the harvesting of fruits and vegetables. Under close supervision, toddlers can safely help pick foods low to the ground such as strawberries, tomatoes and squash. Potential hazards to avoid include: letting him handle any variety of hot peppers or onions, allowing him to eat any unwashed food grown with a pesticide or fertilizer, and permitting him to climb to harvest foods that are beyond his reach, such as apples or peaches.

    Make Funny Shapes and Faces Using Fruits and Vegetables

    • Soft-cooked and finely-diced fruits and vegetables are the safest options for the toddler palate. Serve an assortment of these foods on her plate and encourage her to arrange them into funny shapes and faces -- make one on your own plate as well. Bananas, strawberries and seedless orange sections are much more interesting when they're arranged into eyes, noses and smiles. Make a big deal over her plate art and you'll have a toddler who's interested in garden-grown foods.

    Play a Feeding Game

    • When your tot simply refuses to eat those soft-cooked carrots, it may be time to play feed-the-mommy. Encourage him to feed you finger foods from your plate while you make exaggerated yummy-faces -- an entertained toddler is always more receptive to suggestion. After he's fed you, take a turn feeding him in a silly manner as well. By taking turns back and forth, you should be able to get a decent amount of healthy food into your tyke.

    Finger Paint with Dips

    • Place an assortment of yogurts on your toddler's plate and give him a safe-sized piece of fruit to "paint" with. You can do the same thing with various soft-cooked vegetables and dips like sour cream, mild salsa or cheese sauce. Letting him have a little fun with his food takes away the stress of having to eat things he might not enjoy. Keep it fun and low-pressure and he'll stay interested in healthy foods -- hopefully, all his life.

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