Why Letting Your Child Play with Their Food Might Be the Secret to Picky Eating . . .

For generations, parents have told their kids, “Don’t play with your food!” But what if that well-meaning advice is actually holding your child back from developing a healthy relationship with eating?

As a mom of two young kids, design professor, and founder of a kitchen created just for children, I’ve seen firsthand how giving kids permission to engage with their food—touching it, smelling it, and yes, even playing with it—can actually reduce mealtime stress and encourage them to try new things.

Instead of battling through every bite, here’s how a little play can transform your child’s eating habits for life.

1. It Builds Curiosity

For young children, food isn’t just something to be eaten—it’s an entirely new sensory experience.

I’ve seen that when my own kids explore textures, colors, and shapes, they start forming positive associations with food.

What looks like “playing” is actually a critical part of learning and building comfort. Ever noticed how your child loves to squish spaghetti or poke at mashed potatoes? That’s not misbehavior—it’s discovery in action.

Parent Tip: Let them explore different food textures outside of mealtimes. With the right tools, kids can chop, mix, and experiment in a safe, hands-on way. Instead of resisting unfamiliar foods at the dinner table, they’ll get to interact with ingredients first—which means they’ll be more open to tasting them later.

2. It Reduces Pressure

For picky eaters, mealtimes can feel like a high-stakes event where they’re constantly being told what to eat, how much to eat, and what’s “good” or “bad.” This pressure can actually increase resistance to new foods.

By giving them control—even if it’s just letting them touch or arrange food on their plate—they feel empowered rather than forced. This shift in control reduces stress and anxiety around mealtime, making them more likely to explore food on their own terms.

Parent Tip: Instead of saying, “Just one bite,” try saying, “Can you make a food sculpture?” or “What shape does this strawberry look like?” Making food interaction fun rather than forced keeps kids engaged.

3. It Encourages Experimentation

Many kids refuse food simply because it’s new—not because they dislike the taste. Allowing them to touch, play, and interact with food first can help them warm up to the idea of tasting it.

I’ve seen firsthand that when kids get to chop, stir, and create their own food designs, they’re way more likely to eat what’s in front of them!

Parent Tip: Try a Build-Your-Own Snack Station. Give them their own space to assemble simple meals—like mini sandwich stacks, fruit kabobs, or a yogurt parfait with toppings. When children take ownership, they feel more confident trying new things.

4. It Teaches Familiarity

One of the biggest reasons picky eaters reject food? It’s unfamiliar.

Kids often say, “I don’t like it,” before they’ve even tried something. But when they get hands-on experience with food—chopping, stirring, and plating—it becomes familiar, making them more open to trying it on their own terms.

For example, a child who has pressed their fingers into an avocado, mashed it with a fork, or spread it onto toast is far more likely to eventually taste it than a child who was just handed a whole slice and told to eat it.

Parent Tip: Introduce new foods gradually. Set up a food-prep area just for them, where they can chop, mix, or even plate their meal. When kids have their own space to prep alongside you, they gain confidence, feel involved, and naturally become more curious about food.

And that’s exactly why cooking with your kids—rather than around them—can change the game for picky eaters.

5. Cooking With Your Kids, Not Around Them

Is it hard to make dinner when your kids are climbing all over you, pulling at your legs, or constantly asking to “help”?

I know from experience that when I try to cook, my kids don’t want to watch—they want to help. Instead of battling their curiosity, I’ve found the best solution is to give them their own space to cook—side by side with me.

With a dedicated workstation, kids get their own prep area, allowing them to chop, mix, and experiment while you cook. Instead of handing them a screen to keep them busy, hand them some safe, simple ingredients from the dinner you’re making—let them tear lettuce, stir a sauce, or arrange toppings.

Why It Works:

• Gives kids a sense of independence while keeping them engaged.
• Prevents frustration (for both parents and kids!) by providing a structured way to help.
• Helps kids learn real-life cooking skills in a safe environment—without slowing you down.

It’s a win-win—your child feels included, and you actually get dinner on the table without the chaos.

A Kitchen That Grows With Your Child

Crafted from recycled yogurt containers reclaimed from the ocean, this chef’s station is as sustainable as it is innovative—built to live beyond the playroom.

Its versatile, food-grade design transforms effortlessly into an art station, a mud kitchen for outdoor use, or a sensory play table, adapting to the evolving needs of childhood. Thoughtfully designed to grow with your child and integrate seamlessly into a beautifully curated home, it proves that functional, child-centered design can be as elegant as it is purposeful.

Messy? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely.

As parents, we’re often taught to prioritize cleanliness over curiosity when it comes to food. But the truth is, messy eaters become confident eaters.

When children feel safe to explore, they build confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong positive relationship with food.

Expert Pro Tip: Set Up a “Food Play Station”

Giving kids a dedicated space to explore food is key to reducing resistance, increasing confidence, and making meals more enjoyable.

Create a Food Play Station with real, child-safe tools that encourage hands-on engagement, such as:

• Measuring spoons
• High-quality mixing bowl and cups for sorting food
• Child-sized whisks and age-appropriate knives
• Child-sized space to stand that provides bodily autonomy

Rather than waiting for picky eaters to “grow out of it,” this setup gives them control over the experience, making new foods feel less intimidating and more fun.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elisa Kim is a mom of two young kids, a design professor, and the founder of Studio EGGI, a real kitchen designed just for children. Her work in design and education has been internationally recognized, earning awards for innovation and teaching. She is passionate about fostering independence and confidence in the kitchen, helping children build a lifelong, positive relationship with food.

Image provided by Studio EGGI