Tips for creating cute and easy fruit and vegetable shapes to entice children to eat

With super adorable shapes made from readily available ingredients, kids will surely be excited and thrilled to experience and enjoy them with their own hands.

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Fruit and Vegetable Art that is Easy to Make to Entice Children to Eat - 1

Model number 1 includes ingredients: Green cauliflower, 2 black peppercorns

Fruit and Vegetable Art that is Easy to Make to Entice Children to Eat - 2

Model number 2 includes ingredients: Green apple, 1 branch of tree, 2 twist candies

Fruit and Vegetable Art that is Easy to Make to Entice Children to Eat - 3

Model number 3 includes ingredients: Yellow melon

Fruit and Vegetable Art that is Easy to Make to Entice Children to Eat - 4

Model number 4 includes ingredients: Purple grapes, Kiwi fruit, yellow melon

Fruit and Vegetable Art that is Easy to Make to Entice Children to Eat - 5

Model number 5 includes ingredients: Carrot, white rice, green bean, seaweed, minced mushroom carrot stir-fry, green cauliflower.

Fruit and Vegetable Art that is Easy to Make to Entice Children to Eat - 6

Model number 6 includes ingredients: Tomato, black sesame for eyes, herbs, shredded banana flowers.

Fruit and Vegetable Art that is Easy to Make to Entice Children to Eat - 7

Model number 7 includes ingredients: Quail eggs, green bean, eggplant, purple cabbage, white rice, carrot, 1 piece of meatloaf, red sweet potato, winter squash, white cauliflower.

Fruit and Vegetable Art that is Easy to Make to Entice Children to Eat - 8

Model number 8 includes ingredients: Bread crust, Kiwi fruit, watermelon, watermelon seeds, wasabi peas, mango

Fruit and Vegetable Art that is Easy to Make to Entice Children to Eat - 9

Model number 9 includes ingredients: Mint leaves, dragon fruit, banana flowers shaped like a flower and soil texture, cucumber skin.

Fruit and Vegetable Art that is Easy to Make to Entice Children to Eat - 10

Model number 10 includes ingredients: Purple grapes, green grapes, orange, kiwi, mango, dragon fruit, apple, pineapple.

Photos: Van Khanh

Frequently asked questions

There are a few key tips to keep in mind. First, choose fruits and vegetables with bright, appealing colors that will catch your children’s attention. Then, cut them into simple, recognizable shapes that are easy to eat, such as stars, hearts, and flowers. You can also create fun combinations by pairing different fruits and vegetables together. For example, make a ‘flower’ by using a strawberry as the base and adding small pieces of kiwi or banana as the petals. Finally, get creative with your presentation and serve these shaped snacks in a fun and engaging way, perhaps on a bed of ‘grass’ made from shredded coconut or with a dip they can enjoy.

Some simple and cute ideas include: apple slices in the shape of hearts, stars cut out of carrot or cucumber slices, flower-shaped pineapple chunks (using a small cookie cutter), watermelon balls or ‘lollipops’ created by inserting a stick into a wedge of watermelon, and ‘trees’ made from broccoli florets with a cherry tomato as the ‘trunk’.

Presentation is key to making these healthy snacks appealing to children. Try using colorful plates or bowls, and perhaps add some fun decorations like sprinkles (made from dried fruit) or chocolate chips. You could also create a ‘scene’ on the plate, such as a garden with the fruit and vegetable shapes as flowers and trees. Another idea is to involve your children in the creation process, letting them help with the cutting (if age-appropriate) and giving them a sense of ownership over the shapes they eat.

Absolutely! Beyond making the snacks more visually appealing, these fun shapes can help to increase your children’s interest in trying new foods and encourage them to eat more fruits and vegetables. It also adds an element of playfulness to mealtime, which can lead to more positive associations with healthy eating. Additionally, involving your children in the preparation process can teach them about different foods and foster a sense of pride in their creations.