Have a child who’s a hesitant or picky eater? We know how difficult it can be to get them to even have a new food on their plates, let alone try it. As parents, we want our children to have a well-rounded diet and be open to new things, but sometimes it can be hard to figure out how.

Introducing your kids to lettuce or any new foods doesn’t have to be a battle. With a little creativity, you can make trying new foods fun! We love using STEAM activities to engage our kids with new foods in a pressure-free, low-stress way.

What are STEAM activities?

STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art, and math. These types of activities are perfect for kids of all ages, and they have a lot of benefits. STEAM activities are hands-on, which kids love. They’re also great for problem solving, trial and error, and critical thinking. And when it comes to trying new foods, STEAM activities can be very helpful.

Some types of activities may interest your kiddo more than others, and that’s okay! The purpose of food play is to meet your child where they’re at and with the type of play and education that they enjoy.

By incorporating STEAM activities into mealtime, you can make trying new foods more fun and interactive for your child. Plus, they’ll be learning while they eat!

STEAM activities to help introduce your kids to lettuce

Here are some STEAM activities you can do to introduce your kids to lettuce. Little tip – they also work well for introducing them to other fruits and vegetables, too!

1. Reading about lettuce

Start by finding a children’s book about lettuce (we have a great one!). Read it together and talk about the different types of lettuce, where they come from, and what they look like. This helps your child understand what lettuce is and where it comes from. By talking about it in a neutral way, you’re helping them be open to trying it.

Read Next: A Kid-Friendly Guide to Lettuce

2. Engineering fun uses for lettuce

Lettuce can be used for more than just salads! One of our favorite activities to do in our family is to use endive leaves as spoons. We fill them with soup or other soft foods and let the kids eat away. This is a great way to get them to touch and feel lettuce without feeling pressured to actually eat it right away.

3. Using descriptive words to talk about lettuce

Another way to engage your kids around lettuce or any other fruit or vegetable is to use descriptive words to describe the taste, smell, and texture. This will help them understand what it might taste like before they even try it. You can also have them close their eyes and guess what you’re describing.

4. Making lettuce prints with crayons and paper

This is a great activity for younger kids. Simply set some lettuce out on the table with some crayons and plain paper and invite them to draw what they see. This gives kids a chance to explore the different shapes, textures, and colors of lettuce before it’s actually served at the dinner table.

Each of these activities is a great way to introduce your kids to lettuce in a fun and interactive way. When it comes to helping your kids get comfortable around new foods, STEAM activities are a great way to go!

Did you give these activities a try?  Which one was your child’s favorite?  Tell us in the comments!