🍪 National Cookie Day: Celebrating with Food Play and Fun “Cookie” Creations!

December 4th is National Cookie Day, and while we all love a sweet treat now and then, our feeding therapists see this as a perfect opportunity to turn snack time into a playful, low-pressure chance for children to explore new foods.

At Innovative Therapy Center, we use food play as a powerful tool in feeding therapy. It helps children get more comfortable with different textures, smells, colors, and tastes—without the pressure to eat right away. This Cookie Day, we’re inviting families to get creative in the kitchen and make their own version of "cookies" using nutritious, real foods.

🍎 What’s a “Cookie” in Feeding Therapy?

In feeding therapy, a “cookie” doesn’t have to be baked or sugary. It’s about the shape, decoration, and experience—not just the ingredients. Turning everyday foods into “cookies” can spark curiosity and engagement. It gives kids a chance to touch, smell, assemble, and maybe even taste something new.

👩‍🍳 Fun “Cookie” Creations to Try at Home

Here are a few therapist-approved ideas that make food exploration fun, festive, and pressure-free:

1. Apple Slice “Cookies”

How to make them:

• Slice apples into thin rounds

• Spread with nut butter, sunflower seed butter, or yogurt

• Let kids decorate with toppings like raisins, mini chocolate chips, granola, or shredded coconut

Therapist Tip: The sticky textures help with oral motor input and fine motor skills!

2. Cracker “Cookies”

How to make them:

• Use a variety of crackers (round ones work great)

• Spread with cream cheese or hummus

• Offer toppings like sliced olives, bell pepper bits, or cucumber shapes

Therapist Tip: Letting kids choose toppings gives them ownership and makes trying new foods feel safe.

3. Banana “Cookies”

How to make them:

• Cut thick banana slices

• Spread with a thin layer of peanut butter or Greek yogurt

• Add sprinkles, cinnamon, or crushed cereal for fun textures

Therapist Tip: Use tongs or kid-friendly tweezers to build fine motor skills during decorating!

4. Rice Cake “Cookies”

How to make them:

• Mini rice cakes or lightly toasted sandwich rounds

• Spread with yogurt, nut butters, or mashed avocado

• Decorate with fruit slices or seeds

Therapist Tip: The crunch of rice cakes offers sensory input, while the toppings add variety.

💡 Why Food Play Matters

• Reduces mealtime anxiety by shifting the focus from “eating” to “exploring”

• Builds sensory tolerance—especially with textures, smells, and colors

• Supports motor skills like spreading, grasping, and pinching

• Encourages positive food interactions without pressure

👪 Make It a Family Activity

Celebrate National Cookie Day by setting up a DIY “cookie” decorating station at home. Include a few familiar foods alongside new ones, and encourage your child to build and decorate however they’d like. Remember—it’s okay if they don’t eat it! Just touching, smelling, and playing is a win.

🎉 Let’s Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

Whether your child takes a bite or just makes a masterpiece, every interaction with new foods is a step forward. From all of us at Innovative Therapy Center, happy National Cookie Day! We’re cheering you on—one playful “cookie” at a time.

Have questions about feeding therapy and how our therapists can help you and your family?

**Call our office at 330-595-9059**