Harriet Turner
How can you encourage kids to step out of their food comfort zone while on holiday?
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Harriet Turner
How can you encourage kids to step out of their food comfort zone while on holiday?
Family holidays are often a once-in-a-lifetime experience which leave an impression on us well into adulthood. We all remember these adventures as a kid. They gave us the opportunity not only to have fun, but also step outside of our regular environment for the first time in our lives. But with new opportunities for growth also comes fresh challenges.
While a staggering 53% of people now refer to themselves as food tourists, that moniker will almost certainly not extend to your kids. Children can be fussy at the dinner table, even at the best of times. So how do you ensure they’re making the most of the chance to try something new on their travels? That’s where we step in. In this guide, we’ll take a brief look at what you can do to help them expand their horizons and try something a little different.
1. Give them a say in where you’re eating
By putting the choice partially in their hands, you’re giving a child the independence needed to feel invested in your dining decisions. This heightened responsibility should, in theory, make them feel more engaged with your plans – which in turn might see them gain the confidence they need to break down their culinary barriers. What’s more, by letting them choose there’s a much higher likelihood that you’ll end up somewhere with a dish they actually want to eat.
2. No kids’ menus
While they’re a tried and tested safe option for a lot of mums and dads, try to avoid kids’ menus when on holiday. If you want your little one to branch out, giving them a restrictive choice like chicken nuggets and chips or a burger isn’t the best approach. This could also be positive for their health. Research shows that child menus often lack the nutrients needed to encourage healthy growth.
3. Make it an adventure
Eating can only be “made fun” to a point – but try your best to turn it into something of a game for younger kids. That might mean creating a reward system for trying as many new foods as possible, or even creating a story around one of the dishes they’re on the fence about sampling. A child is a lot more likely to give fish a go if they think it was caught by a pirate exploring a lagoon.
4. Be patient with them
It’s unreasonable to expect kids to instantly step out of their comfort zone and tuck into something totally different to the norm. And, even when they do, they might be resistant. Just remember to give them the space they need to properly try new foods, without forcing anything on them. It’s thought that most kids need to taste and swallow something 10 times before they really know if they like it. Don’t lose patience with them after the first bite if they aren’t an immediate fan.
Kids aren’t likely to come back from a trip with a totally new approach to dinner time. But, if you’re lucky, you might find these handy tips set them on the right path to expanding their flavor palettes further in the future. Keep these four tips in mind for helping their tastebuds to mature.
Autho: Harriet Turner
Harriet is a freelance writer who specializes in travel content. A keen explorer herself, Harriet spends most of her spare time planning her next adventure with her two young children.
The authors are responsible for the choice and presentation of the facts contained in this document and for the opinions expressed therein, which are not necessarily those of Tourism and Society Think Tank and do not commit the Organization, and should not be attributed to TSTT or its members.
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