Why Fun Matters at Mealtime
Mealtime with a baby can be a mix of giggles, messy hands, and flying peas—but sometimes, it can also feel like a struggle. One day, your baby is eager to try everything, and the next, they’re turning away from every bite you offer.
If feeding time has started to feel like a chore, it’s time to bring back the fun!
Creating a fun feeding time isn’t just about keeping your baby entertained—it’s about fostering a positive relationship with food and making mealtime a stress-free experience for the whole family.
In this post, we’ll share easy, practical ways to make feeding time enjoyable, engaging, and mess-free (well, as much as possible 😉).
1. Let Your Baby Take the Lead with Self-Feeding
Babies love to be independent! Encouraging baby self-feeding helps them feel in control and makes eating an adventure rather than a struggle.
How to Encourage Self-Feeding:
🥄 Offer baby-friendly utensils like the Little Grubbers 3-in-1 Baby Spoon™, designed for little hands.
🍎 Serve easy-to-grab finger foods like banana slices, avocado chunks, or soft-cooked carrots.
💦 Expect a little mess – Let your baby explore textures and practice their motor skills without pressure.
💡 Tip: Start with foods that are easy to scoop or pick up. Thicker purees, mashed potatoes, and yogurt work great for beginners!
2. Get Creative with Food Presentation
Let’s be honest—we all eat with our eyes first! Making food look fun can encourage even the pickiest eaters to take a bite.
Fun Ideas to Try:
🎨 Arrange food into fun shapes – A smiley face made of fruit? A plate of colorful “rainbow” veggies? Yes, please!
🍴 Use fun plates and utensils – Bright, playful dishes can make mealtime more exciting.
🥪 Try food cutters – Use cookie cutters to shape sandwiches, pancakes, or cheese into fun designs.
3. Turn Mealtime into a Game
When food feels like play, babies are more likely to stay engaged and try new things!
Fun Mealtime Games:
🎶 Sing a silly song about the food they’re eating (Example: “This is the way we eat our peas, eat our peas, eat our peas!”).
🚗 Make the spoon “drive” to their mouth like a little car, airplane, or train.
🐶 Talk about the food’s “personality” – “Mr. Broccoli says he’s ready to go for a swim in your belly!”
💡 Tip: If your baby is hesitant about a new food, make it fun by letting them “feed” their stuffed animal first!
4. Ditch the Pressure and Go with the Flow
Nothing takes the fun out of mealtime faster than stress and frustration—for you or your baby!
How to Keep Mealtime Relaxed:
🚫 No forcing bites – If your baby turns their head or pushes food away, respect their cues.
💡 Keep portions small – A few bites at a time are less overwhelming.
📆 Be patient with new foods – It can take 10-15 tries before a baby accepts a new taste.
💛 Remember: Babies eat different amounts every day. Some days, they’ll gobble up everything; other days, they’ll barely touch their plate. That’s normal!
5. Eat Together as a Family
Babies love to imitate what they see. When they see you enjoying food, they’ll be more likely to join in!
Ways to Make Family Meals Fun:
👶 Give baby a small portion of what you’re eating – Seeing you eat the same food makes it more appealing.
🍽 Let your baby sit at the table with you – Even if they’re still in a high chair, include them in family meals.
😆 Model positive reactions – Saying “Mmm, this is so yummy!” can encourage them to try a bite.
💡 Bonus Tip: If your baby starts to get fussy, try offering a tiny “cheers” with their cup or letting them take a “bite” from your spoon. Small interactions keep them engaged!
6. Let Baby Explore and Have Fun with Food
Babies learn by touching, squishing, and playing with food. While it may get messy, it’s all part of the process!
Encourage Exploration by:
🖐 Letting them touch their food – Feeling different textures helps babies learn about what they’re eating.
🌈 Offering a variety of colors and textures – Mixing soft, crunchy, smooth, and bumpy foods keeps things exciting.
🎨 Allowing some food play – It’s okay if they smear mashed potatoes on their tray—it’s part of the experience!
🚨 Worried about the mess? Use a silicone bib and a wipeable placemat to make clean-up easier!
7. Celebrate Small Wins and Keep It Light
Every bite is a step in the right direction! Instead of focusing on how much your baby eats, celebrate their curiosity and effort.
🎉 Did they try a new food? That’s a win!
👏 Did they pick up the spoon? That’s progress!
🥳 Did they stay at the table longer than yesterday? Success!
When mealtime stays positive, your baby will associate food with joy—and that’s the ultimate goal.
Final Thoughts: Make Feeding Time Fun & Stress-Free!
Feeding time doesn’t have to be a battle—it can be an adventure! By making food fun, embracing the mess, and keeping the pressure off, you’ll create a stress-free mealtime that everyone enjoys.
💛 Want to make self-feeding even easier? The Little Grubbers 3-in-1 Baby Spoon™ helps babies gain confidence while learning to eat independently!
🛒 Check it out here.
💬 What’s your favorite way to make mealtime fun? Share your tips in the comments below! 😊