Including Littles in Thanksgiving Food Prep
Gobble, gobble! Who is ready to devour half a pumpkin pie?! ME!
If you are hosting, preparing for Thanksgiving can be stressful. (Let’s be real, if you’re going to someone’s house - that can be stressful, too!) And the LAST thing you probably want to do is add another thing to your to-do list. But, including your little one in the food prep process (even for just 5-10 minutes) will provide them with a fun eating experience and learning opportunities.
[As a DISCLAIMER, please keep your children away from the stove, oven, and any sharp cooking utensils. In fact, I recommend bringing the items you want them to engage with to a separate part of the kitchen/dining room- away from anything hot and all the hustle and bustle!]
Whether you are cooking for an entire family, or prepping one dish to bring to a get-together, read through these ideas and give one a try!
For the Baby Eating Mostly Purees or Mashed Foods:
When preparing foods like mashed potatoes, candied yams, stuffing, gravy, and pie, offer tastes of the ingredients on your finger while holding them (especially if they are watching you eat the foods!)
Let your baby put their hands in a small bowl of the foods while sitting on your lap or in the high chair, and encourage hand-to-mouth and food exploration.
Give them a spoon with those foods and model “mix it up!,” “mash it up!,” “scoop it!” There are lots of language opportunities in food prep, too!
I love this masher from Amazon- it’s the best $7 you’ll spend!
For the baby who is bringing pieces of food to their mouth and chewing softer foods:
When preparing foods like the ones listed above, or appetizers like cheese/crackers, soft fruits, cut up cucumbers (no skin), pasta salad, macaroni and cheese, etc., offer them tastes from your fingers or put a small plate or bowl in front of them and have them explore the foods.
Sit them in the high chair while you prepare the dish nearby, so they can see you interacting with the food and they might try to mimic your actions.
Use words like, “mix, scoop, eat, pick up, yum yum” when interacting with your baby. Again- so much language!
If you’re a little hesitant to give baby chunks of food, it’s ok to offer them in a mesh feeder first. That way, baby can get a taste of the food before experiencing the texture too.
For the child who can stand independently and who eats mostly table food:
Give your child a small amount of ingredients and have them “make” the dish. Have them create the salad by pouring some of the ingredients in and mixing them up, have them arrange the fruit tray or an appetizer.
Give your child their own small dish of foods like macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, yams, and have them practice scooping from one dish to another.
Have your child create YOUR Thanksgiving dinner plate (this one keeps the pressure off of them to eat the foods they pick, and they watch YOU eat the foods.)
Let your child use dull utensils made for kids and have them “cut, mash, mix, scoop” ingredients onto a plate or dish.
Using a learning tower is a great way to get littles involved in the food process!
For the child who eats table food completely:
*Give them a dish to make that’s “theirs,” so when people ask who made it, you can tell them that _____ made this one! (This again keeps the pressure off of your child to eat the food, but gives them a positive experience with food). Examples are appetizers like cheese/crackers, fruit salad, green salad, macaroni salad, a dessert like “dirt” or cookies.
*Give them jobs like “the mixer” or “the pourer” and each time you need an ingredient mixed in or poured in, you call on them to do that part of the job.
Keep it Fun!
If your child is not interested in eating the food that they helped make, it’s okay. The important thing is that they had an experience with food and felt successful with engaging in food prep.
If your child decides to try a food on their own, praise them! Try to avoid asking questions like, “Is it yummy? Do you like it?” and instead say, “You’re trying your creation! I want to try some, too!” or “I saw you tasting that food- great job! I’m going to taste it, too!” This offers a positive reaction and praise, and keeps the pressure off of the child to analyze how they feel about the food. It keeps it natural and fun!
And if you’re traveling, don’t forget to bring a high chair! Check out my favorite feeding items for on-the-go with Paul + Penelope!
I hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for you :)
