Gamify mealtime and they'll eat enough for a life-time! There’s something magical about the kitchen when my 6-year-young daughter and I step into it together. It’s not just about the food—it’s the giggles, the experiments, and the shared triumphs when something comes out of the oven just right. Together, we’ve turned cooking into our favorite creative playground. And let me tell you, it’s a game-changer for getting her to eat her veggies and actually love mealtime!
Pizza with Purr-sonality
What’s better than pizza? Pizza with personality! We buy pre-made dough (because hey, life is busy) and roll it out together. Then, the fun begins. My daughter loves creating faces on her pizza, and her favorite theme is “cat-tastic creations.”
🍅 Tomato sauce becomes the base coat.
🧀 Cheese is sprinkled like fur.
🌽 Corn kernels make cute little whiskers.
🥕 Sliced carrots become the ears.
🥩 Pepperoni or veggies form the eyes and nose.
The result? A pizza too cute to resist. And because she “made it,” she eats every last bite—whiskers and all!
Dinner Cakes: Yes, Casseroles Can Be Fun!
I’ll let you in on a secret: if you call it a “salty dinner cake,” casseroles become an instant hit. Here’s our go-to recipe:
- Slice potatoes into perfect rounds (kids love using a safe slicer—it’s like magic).
- Layer the potato slices like a cake base.
- Season chicken with spices (my daughter sprinkles like a pro).
- Add two veggies of her choice from a colorful selection I prep.
- Sprinkle cheese on top for the pièce de résistance.
Pop it in the oven, and voilà! Dinner is a masterpiece she can’t wait to dig into. Bonus points: she proudly tells everyone, “I made this!”
Brownie Bonanza
What’s cooking without dessert? For little chefs, making brownies is like edible alchemy. Our healthier take on brownies includes:
🍌 Mashed bananas
🍏 Unsweetened applesauce
🥥 Coconut milk
🌰 Almond flour
🥣 Oat flakes
🍫 Melted 70% dark chocolate
🧂 A dash of cinnamon and vanilla
She loves throwing all the ingredients into the mixing bowl, turning on the mixer, and watching the gooey magic come together. When the brownies start to bake, the heavenly smell fills the house, and it’s pure bliss.
Gamify Your Meals: Wrap It Up!
If there’s one surefire way to make veggies fun, it’s to turn dinner into a game. Enter: wraps and tacos. The assembly process becomes an event at our table.
- Set out bowls of goodies: ground meat with kidney beans and spices, corn, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and cheese.
- Add a dollop of sour cream or crème fraîche for extra yum.
- Let them build their own creations and fold or crunch to their heart’s delight.
It’s interactive, it’s messy, and it’s a guaranteed hit. Plus, anything they build, they’re more likely to eat. Win-win!
Last but Not Least: Puff Pastry Magic
Here’s a fun and easy recipe that’s both delicious and playful—Veggie Puffs!
- Use store-bought puff pastry.
- Let your little chef cut out shapes using cookie cutters (stars, hearts, or dinosaurs—endless fun).
- Fill the shapes with sautéed spinach, cheese, or ham (or all three).
- Seal them with another layer of pastry and brush with egg wash.
Watch them puff up in the oven like little edible pillows. These are perfect for snack time, dinner, or even lunchbox treats!
Cooking with kids is more than just making meals—it’s about making memories. So grab your aprons, sprinkle some flour around, and let the fun begin. Whether it’s a pizza cat, a dinner cake, or a puff pastry dinosaur, the kitchen is where love and creativity come to life. 🧡