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3 Fun & Simple Mother’s Day Activities to Get Kids in the Kitchen

Written by: Dr Kirsty Porter

Helping Fussy Eaters and Children with Sensory Challenges Enjoy Food

As a children’s dietitian, I know that getting kids involved in the kitchen is one of the best ways to help fussy eaters and those with sensory challenges feel more comfortable around food. Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to create special memories while encouraging children to explore new textures, tastes, and skills. These three fun and simple Mother’s Day activities will not only delight mum but also help picky eaters and sensory-sensitive children engage with food in a pressure-free way. Click here to sign up to our mailing list and get a free ebook with the child friendly recipes for the dessert ideas. 

Why Cooking Helps Fussy Eaters and Kids with Sensory Challenges

Getting hands-on with food allows children to:

  • Explore textures and smells in a fun way.
  • Gain confidence around unfamiliar foods.
  • Develop a sense of independence in the kitchen.
  • Feel a sense of achievement, making them more likely to try new foods.

Now, let’s dive into three Mother’s Day-inspired kitchen activities designed with fussy eaters and sensory-sensitive children in mind!

1. Strawberry Cake Jars – A Sensory-Friendly Dessert

This fun and interactive recipe allows kids to layer textures at their own pace, helping those with sensory challenges explore different consistencies in a controlled way. Plus, there’s no messy cutting involved, making it ideal for hesitant little chefs.

Ingredients:

Cake

  • 115g margarine
  • 120g caster sugar
  • 170g plain flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 3 eggs
  • 50mls milk

Toppings

  • 6 digestive biscuits
  • 400g soft cheese/plant based creamy cheese
  • 2tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup icing sugar
  • Punnet of strawberries

How to Make It:

  1. Leave cream cheese out of the fridge.
  2. Beat digestive biscuits by placing biscuits into a clear bag with a rolling pin. Set aside for later.
  3. Dice strawberries into small chunks. Set aside for later.
  4. Cream margarine & sugar together.
  5. Add in the eggs, flour, baking powder, milk & mix well until combined.
  6. Bake 160c for 20-25 minutes in a muffin/cake/bread tin. Allow the cake to cool.
  7. Mix cream cheese, vanilla extract & icing sugar well.
  8. Start base with the cake & push till it reaches the bottom and forms 1 layer.
  9. Add the cream cheese mixture on top of the cake.
  10. Layer strawberries on top of cream cheese.
  11. Repeat the same layers!
  12. Sprinkle crushed digestives on top for decoration.
  13. Leave to set in the fridge for 1-2 hours.

💡 Dietitian Tip: Let kids choose how much of each ingredient to add. This gives them control, which is great for fussy eaters who struggle with new foods!

Mother's Day Cake Jars

2. Fruit Face Cheesecake – Playful Food Exploration

Encouraging play with food is a fantastic way to reduce anxiety around eating. This no-bake cheesecake activity allows kids to create silly faces using fruit toppings, making it an exciting way to engage with food.

Ingredients:

  • 90g butter/plant butter
  • 200g digestive biscuits
  • 200g soft cheese/plant based creamy cheese
  • 1tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup icing sugar
  • Selection of fruits: banana slices, blueberries, grapes, kiwi, strawberries

How to Make It:

  1. Leave cream cheese out of the fridge.
  2. Melt butter.
  3. Beat digestive biscuits by placing biscuits into a clear bag and beating with a rolling pin.
  4. Add melted butter to digestive biscuits for the base. Mix well.
  5. Place base in a circular cake tray and flatten with the base of a glass to create a crust. Leave to set for at least 1-2 hours in the fridge.
  6. Mix cream cheese, vanilla extract & icing sugar well.
  7. Add the mixture on top of the base.
  8. Cut up the fruit into slices.
  9. Let kids create faces using fruit! (Blueberries for eyes, banana slices for cheeks, a strawberry for a nose – be creative!)
  10. Leave to set in the fridge for 1-2 hours.
  11. Serve and enjoy.

💡 Dietitian Tip: Letting kids design their own food makes it more appealing, especially for fussy eaters hesitant to try new things.

Mother's Day Fruit Face Cheesecake

3. Mum’s Breakfast Toast – Fun & Creative Variations

Breakfast in bed is a Mother’s Day classic! These two simple variations allow kids to get creative while exploring textures and shapes.

Option 1: Fruit Face Toast

Perfect for kids who love visual play.

Ingredients:

  • 1 slice wholemeal toast
  • 1 tbsp peanut butter or cream cheese
  • Fruit of choice e.g. Banana slices, berries, and raisins for decoration

How to Make It:

  1. Spread peanut butter or cream cheese over toast.
  2. Let kids decorate with fruit to create a fun face.
  3. Serve with a smile!

Option 2: Yogurt Flower Pot

Great for children who enjoy layered textures.

Ingredients:

  • 1 small cup of Greek yogurt
  • 1 tbsp granola or crushed biscuits
  • Sliced fruit (strawberries, kiwis, mango) shaped like flower petals

How to Make It:

  1. Fill a small cup with yogurt.
  2. Sprinkle granola on top for a “soil” effect.
  3. Arrange fruit slices like a flower on top.
  4. Serve with a spoon and enjoy!

💡 Dietitian Tip: Give kids child-safe knives to help cut soft fruits like bananas – it encourages independence and food exploration.

These three fun and simple kitchen activities are designed to encourage fussy eaters and children with sensory challenges to interact with food in a relaxed, enjoyable way. Cooking together is a wonderful bonding experience and can make mealtimes less stressful in the long run. Click here to sign up to our mailing list and get a free ebook with the child friendly recipes for the dessert ideas. 

If you’d like more support with mealtime challenges, I offer 1:1 support to help parents navigate picky eating, food refusal, and sensory-related feeding difficulties. Feel free to reach out – you’re not alone in this journey!

FAQs

  1. What if my child refuses to touch food?
    Start with low-pressure food play, like using utensils or gloves. Over time, they may feel more comfortable touching food directly.
  2. How can I encourage my fussy eater to try new foods?
    Involve them in cooking! Giving kids control over small choices, like adding toppings, can make them more willing to taste.
  3. What if my child doesn’t like mixed textures?
    Let them explore ingredients separately first. For example, serve yogurt and fruit side by side before layering them.
  4. My child avoids all fruit. How can I help?
    Try cutting fruit into fun shapes, using cookie cutters, or making silly faces on toast to make it more appealing.
  5. Where can I get more help for my fussy eater?
    I offer 1:1 support to help with fussy eating and sensory challenges. Contact me to learn more!

Written by Dr Kirsty Porter, Children’s Dietitian 

 

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