Let’s Get Messy: Food Play for Supporting Picky Eaters

Did you know that playing with food can actually support picky eaters—and even help them become more open to trying new foods? At Innovative Therapy Center’s Feeding Clinic, we believe that food play is a powerful, low-pressure way for children to explore textures, smells, and colors in a fun, stress-free environment.

When kids are allowed to interact with food through play, they can build comfort and confidence without the expectation of eating right away. Over time, this can make mealtimes less overwhelming and more enjoyable for the whole family.

Why Food Play Works

Exploring food through play:

• Removes pressure (no expectation to eat right away)

• Builds familiarity with new textures, smells, and shapes

• Encourages creativity and curiosity

• Helps children see food as fun, not scary

The key is to join in the fun with your child. When you play too, it communicates that exploring food is safe and acceptable.

Fun Food Play Ideas to Try at Home

Here are some playful, low-pressure activities you can do with your child:

🎨 Food Fingerpainting Use purees like yogurt, pudding, or even ketchup to “paint” pictures. Not ready for fingerpainting? Try brushes or sponges.

💧 Squishy Sensory Bags Put wet or squishy foods inside a sealed Ziploc bag so your child can squeeze and explore without getting messy—great for sensory-sensitive kids.

🧸 Toy Picnic Bring out dolls, dinosaurs, or stuffed animals and “feed” them a variety of foods. This makes food exploration more imaginative and playful.

🔢 Counting Foods Line up foods (grapes, crackers, carrot sticks) and practice counting together. This builds math skills and food familiarity at the same time.

🥔 Real Mr. Potato Head Use veggies like peppers, cucumbers, and olives to make silly faces or decorate a potato.

🚗 Car Food Adventure Drive toy cars or diggers through piles of food, then “wash” them off. It’s messy fun that builds comfort with textures.

🐄 Animal Feeding & Bath Time Pretend farm animals can stomp through food and then get a bubbly bath afterward.

🥁 Food Instruments Fill empty containers with rice, beans, or pasta to make shakers and drums. Then, play some music together!

Keep the Focus on Fun

The most important part of food play is that it’s pressure-free and fun. There should be no expectation that your child eats the food during playtime. Later, when that same food shows up at a meal, you can connect the experiences:

“Remember when we used green peppers to make our silly face picture? Here they are on our plate tonight!”

These positive associations can help your child feel more comfortable and willing to try foods at their own pace.

Feeding Therapy at Innovative Therapy Center

At our Feeding Clinic, we use playful, evidence-based strategies like these to help children move from picky eating toward healthier, happier relationships with food. Every child is unique, and our therapists create individualized plans tailored to your child’s needs and goals.

If mealtimes feel stressful or if your child struggles with eating, reach out to Innovative Therapy Center. We’re here to support your family with patience, creativity, and care.

📞 Contact us today to learn more about our feeding therapy services and how food play can support your child’s journey!

Phone: 330-595-9059 / Website: https://www.innovativetherapycenter.com/feedtherapy