Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Putting Some "Fun" Into Mealtime



With everyone home right now, and parents preparing meals more than normal, sometimes a little “out-of-the-ordinary” can be SO welcome.

We can all use more times of laughter and fun, as we face day after day of “routine.” So here are some ideas to help you love on your kids and family, while also helping reinforce GOOD memories for them.

Not every idea will be feasible for YOUR home, (for example - some of you live in apartments, or don’t have chopsticks) but the ideas are aimed to help you think outside of the box. So let these fuel you on to igniting and sparking some great moments with your family at mealtime.

*Have a picnic on the floor.  Push the couch back a little, pull out a blanket, get out the paper plates and add the food!

*Have dinner inside of a fort you all build together! We once had pizza delivered to us INSIDE of our fort. If you feel comfortable ordering delivery - DO IT!

*Eat out on your deck or back porch.  Enjoy the fresh air.

*Put a spin on eating outdoors by setting up a tent and lantern.  Eat after it gets dark inside the tent. 

*Have festive napkins, glasses or fancy straws. Or let your kids write encouraging notes on everyone’s napkin and place at their designated dinner spot.

*Allow your family to use chopsticks only, instead of silverware. If you need laughs, this one is sure to deliver!

*Make a rule that no utensils can be used at all!  Only hands.  Have finger foods, drink soup out of the bowl, etc.

*Have everyone grab a TV tray and pick out a family movie to watch while eating dinner.

*Switch places at the table.  Everyone needs to sit somewhere other than their normal seat.

*Make normal foods fun.  Add green food coloring to water, use cookie cutters to make shapes in your pancakes…..

*Serve dessert FIRST for a change!

*Have the kids make dinner! Even if it’s Ramen, or carrots and cheese slices, enjoy - because you got to sit down, while they prepared.

*EVERYONE helps clean up. One person does dishes, one wipes the counters, and one sweeps the kitchen. Teamwork.

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