New Food Punch

Do you have any picky eaters at your house?  I do. I was a picky eater myself, so on one hand, I totally sympathize.  On the other hand, I know that one of my motherly duties is to encourage my kids to at least try some foods that aren't white.

For a few years, we've kept a "New Foods" list and my oldest boys have enjoyed turning it into a competition. You know,  If he tries artichokes, I need to try artichokes so his list doesn't get longer than mine because I cannot possibly let my little brother beat me at anything... For the most part, that little list/competition alone has been a pretty good motivator, and it serves as a nice record of the few adventurous foods my boys have gagged down at least tasted.

Now my two year old is developing his own picky palate, and since the list idea isn't as motivating for little ones, I need to add a new trick.  Enter the Try It Punch Card:

We've only been at it for a week but my kids are intrigued so far, probably because...

1. Kids like having their own special cards
2. They LOVE punching the holes. (It's good fine motor work too, btw.) 
3. The timing is right for us because both older boys just learned about food groups in school, so they are mildly interested in the concept of making healthy food choices.
4. And I repeat, they LOVE punching holes.

If you want to punch up the adventurous eating at your house, click here to get your own .  (These work best with a tiny hole puncher like this.)     

Good luck with your pickies, and come on back Friday for more punchy fun!

5/25:  I've just posted a version with print-style font, and a large one with images instead of words for younger kids. You can get that one here.  I don't know if that was bugging any of you, but the teacher in me decided that I should probably include a variety of age appropriate choices!  :)