Tip #1

Make it fun and allow them to play with their food.  If you are at a friend or family member’s house, come prepared with kid-friendly plates, cups, and even a ‘splash mat’ or towel.

Tip #2

Give your child opportunities to try Thanksgiving food ahead of Thanksgiving day - try offering different foods at different times leading up to Thanksgiving day.  Repeated exposure is a strategy to help overcome picky eating.  It may take a child 15-20 times of being exposed to a new food to try or like it.  Continue to offer your child opportunities to try new and different foods.



Tip #3

Make memories - focus on the memories, not the meal.  Talk to them about what they are thankful for, create a handprint turkey, make a thankful tablecloth.  Incorporate traditions that focus on other aspects of the day, not necessarily the food.

Tip #4

Be sure to include some preferred foods.  If you are celebrating at home, include some of your ‘family favorite’ foods.  If you are celebrating at someone else’s house, pack a preferred food from home for your child to enjoy.  Parents choose what the child can eat and when, and the child can choose how much of it to eat.

Tip #5

Prepare your child ahead of time by telling them what to expect, what foods will be served and what mealtime will look like.

Tip #6

Keep portions small so as to not overwhelm them.  Kids can easily get overwhelmed with new people, new foods, new smells, a new environment.  Control what you can and keep portions small - maybe even creating a ‘tasting plate’ instead of presenting the full meal on their plate.



Tip #7

 Involve your child in the preparation process.  Have them create place cards for your guests, set the table, peel carrots, or mash the potatoes.  Tell them what food groups you plan to incorporate in the meal and ask for their input of foods to include from those food groups. 

Tip #8

Choose to make your day easier.  Choose not to force your child to eat.  Also, have the conversation ahead of time with family members so everyone is ‘on the same page’ that you are not forcing or bribing your child to eat particular foods.  Keep your expectations low.  Remember it is just one meal and you can pick up your normal routine the next day.

Tip #9

Include dipping sauces - kids love to dip their food.  Including ranch dressing, ketchup, fruit dip, hummus, or the like so they can enjoy a dipping sauce with their meal.

Tip #10

Be sure to keep your daily routine as close to ‘normal’ as possible.  Make sure your child gets adequate sleep, has regular meals and they don’t get over-hungry. 

Remember, the most important part of the holiday is enjoy time with your friends and family. Be present and soak up the moments - telling stories, laughing, playing games or however your family chooses to celebrate the holiday.  Happy Thanksgiving!!