Develop Your Child’s Senses by Playing with Food
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Playing with food is actually a good thing for kids, as it helps with sensory development!
Some great food play activities include making a cereal “sand” box, creating a jello discovery bowl, and doing a blind taste test.
Experiment with different tastes, smells, and textures for fun sensory exploration!
Whoever thought it would be good to tell your child to actually play with food? But kids are curious, and a fun way to let them explore is through play with food! And it’s not just for fun. Playing with food can actually help your child develop their senses. These 6 ideas make delicious (and development-boosting) playtime activities for toddlers and kids!
Note: These activities are recommended for children aged 12 months and up. Make sure the food you use is age-appropriate for your child before trying each activity.
Make Your Own “Sand” Box
Especially if you live somewhere with a lot of snow, winter can leave kids longing for the park and the sandbox. Make your own “sand” box using cereal. You can play in a small 5 quart bin – it doesn’t need to be large. Just use it like it’s a sandbox or hide a few of their favorite snacks inside for them to find.
Draw Pudding Pictures
This activity is a 2-in-1 for both sensory and fine motor development. Spread out some pudding, whipped cream, or yogurt and let your kiddo draw shapes or letters with their finger. Put some of it on their high chair tray or the table in front of them. Although you may not get shapes or letters, let them play around in it and feel a texture that might be new to them!
Make a Jello Discovery Bowl
Make some jello with your toddler and put a few snacks inside such as fruit. A clear bowl works great so they can see the items inside, too! Then ask them to squish their hands in the jello to find the items. Make it a game by asking your toddler to find a certain food or color.
Let Them Be the Chef or Baker!
There are great sensory experiences that come with cooking. Try letting your toddler help by kneading dough or mixing ingredients. Read more about how cooking benefits kids!
Make a Cereal Necklace
Set aside some dry cereal for this fun, after-breakfast craft. Cereal pieces with holes in the middle work best. Let your toddler string the cereal onto a piece of yarn and help them tie the ends together. They will put their fine motor skills to use and have a tasty snack for later!
Do a Blind Taste Test!
Cover your little one’s eyes with a headband or small towel. Give them different foods to touch such as pasta, a pineapple, or a carrot. Ask them to tell you about how it feels, the temperature, and how it smells. Have them taste it and guess what food it is! This could also be fun with the same food in different forms, like an orange with and without the peel. If your kid isn’t open to the blind taste test, don’t force it. They can guess with their other senses!
Different foods have such a variety of tastes, smells, and textures. This makes it great for sensory exploration!
