We understand that parents can feel a little nervous about introducing new flavours, textures and smells to our little ones and have visions of it being thrown straight on the floor or left to go cold! So here’s our Children’s Dietitian, Lucy with a simple idea to have some family fun, learn about new cultures AND help take the pressure and focus away from trying new foods…
Pick a country and get crafty with flags 🎨
Work with your little ones to make the flag of the country you’re visiting that night. Not only is it a great hands-on way to teach them about colours, shapes, and symbols from other cultures, it's also a great time to start some conversations around food whilst you’re busy colouring.
Find the Country on the Map 🌍
Time to find out where in the world the country is! It doesn’t matter whether it’s a big wall map, a globe, or just Google Maps, let your tot locate the country you’re exploring. Talk about what continent it’s on, what the weather is like, or if there are famous landmarks nearby.
You could also share some fun facts: “Did you know there are more kangaroos than people in Australia?” or “France has over 1,500 types of cheese!” Little ones will love learning about these quirky little details.
Cook or try authentic food from the country 🍴
Now, for our favourite part: the food! Cooking up authentic dishes from different countries is not only delicious but a fun way to bring the culture to life and get little ones interested in new foods.
It doesn’t have to be a full meal, it could just be a taste or even a feel of a new food. Here are some easy ideas to get you started:
- Italy: Make homemade pizza or spaghetti with tomato and vegetable sauce.
- Mexico: Have a taco or fajita night - we love Lucy's take on tacos!
- India: Whip up a mild vegetable curry with naan bread. (Or cook up a Pots for Tots Mild Chicken Korma or Sweet Potato Curry if the parents want a bit more spice in theirs!)
Speak the language 🌏
For some fun whilst sat around the table and again to take some focus off the food, you could teach your little ones a few basic phrases in the local language. “Hola!” for Spain, “Konnichiwa” for Japan, or “Bonjour” for France! You could also talk about any special customs or celebrations in that country, like how they celebrate New Year’s or what holidays are most important. You could even ask Alexa to “Play some traditional Indian Music”.
Have fun with it!
They don’t like or even try the food? Don’t stress! The important thing is you’ve exposed them to new food in a fun and engaging way and they’ll remember that the next time it lands on the table. Why not share yours with us on social! ❤️