As a part of supporting children to develop a positive relationship with food and mealtimes, we regularly talk about creating opportunities for children to be actively involved in mealtimes. However, sometimes it can be challenging to involve children in the
planning, preparation, and hosting of the big meals that occur around holidays and times of celebration. Below are ideas on how you can actively involve your child in your holiday mealtime gatherings.
1. Create the Menu and Shopping List Together
Your child may have something special they would like on the menu or they may remember grandma’s favourite dish from last year that you accidentality left off!
2. A Trip to the Supermarket
Your child can help find things in the store, tick items off the shopping list, carry the bags into the house, and unpack the shopping.
3. Create a Playlist
Ask your child to put together a music playlist that can play in the background during your gathering.
4. Every Gathering Needs a Greeter
Ask your child to be the ‘greeter’ and answer the door when the bell rings. They can greet the guests and take their coats.
5. Plan an Activity
Ask your child to plan an activity or game that all the children can play before or after the meal.
6. Every Kitchen Needs a Sous Chef
Have your child be your sous chef by:
- Washing Produce
- Chopping or Grating Ingredients
- Stirring
- Taste Testing
- Arranging Hors d’Oeuvres on a Dish
7. Set the Table
Have your child draw a picture of what the table will look like and then help set it. You could also ask your child to make place cards; they might enjoy deciding where everyone sits during the meal.
8. Everyone Needs Water
Put your child in charge of filling (and topping up as needed) everyone’s water glasses.
9. Clear the Table
Ask your child to help clear the table after the meal (and do the dishes?!).
10. Cheers!
Give your child a special mention for all their help planning and preparing the mealtime gathering, and (if they would like), let them do a toast of their own!
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