Things You'll Need:
- Canned fruit
- Oatmeal
- Plastic knives
- Bamboo skewers
- Small bowls
- Paper plates
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Step 1
Find in grocery stores different types of canned fruit. Canned fruit will come in heavy syrup, light syrup, or water. You can always rinse the syrup off the fruit by placing the fruit in a colander and rinsing it with water. Not only will the fruit be healthier for your little one, it may also save you some money at the grocery store.
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Step 2
Children often love cooking with you. They see their parents cook for them all the time and will want to imitate them or help them by being a "big boy" or "big girl." If you're having a difficult time getting your children to eat a nutritious meal, have them help you cook one. Give them small but important steps to do. They will be more likely to try different foods that they helped cook.
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Step 3
Fruit can be used numerous ways. You can make a smiley face over a bowl of oatmeal using canned peaches, mandarin oranges, cherries, etc. Give them different types of canned fruit in different bowls. Once their oatmeal is ready to eat, place it in front of them and let them play with their food. Ask them to make their oatmeal into a smiley face by using the fruit. This will not only let them use their imagination, but they will think that it's fun to be able to play with their food.
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Step 4
Another fun idea using canned fruit is to make fruit-shape kebabs. Help your children cut the fruit, such as grapes, pineapple, pears, and orange sections, and place them into separate bowls. You can use this time to have a taste test of the different types of fruit and let them feel the different textures. Then have your children make their own kebab using the fruits and bamboo skewers. You can ask what color and shape each type of fruit is as they pick and choose.
