Hey there, fellow moms! As parents, we all want our kids to grow up healthy and happy, right? And one key ingredient in that recipe for health and happiness is good nutrition. But let’s face it, getting our little ones to eat their veggies can sometimes feel like trying to teach a cat to fetch. That’s why I’m super excited to share something that’s been a game-changer in my household: using online games to encourage healthy eating habits in our kids. It’s not just about getting them to munch on carrots instead of cookies (although that’s a win too!), but also about helping them understand why it’s important to fuel their bodies with the good stuff. So allowing them to play games about food, introducing them to different foods, simply encouraging their interest in foods is great for helping open the conversations around healthy eating and why we need good nutrition. Here are 5 of our favourite free food based games that have helped encourage my kids to eat a varied and balanced diet.
Veggiezilla
Your kids will love joining Molly and Trini in their garden to try and grow the biggest veggies in this game of Veggiezilla! This game will introduce your kids to different types of vegetables, some that aren’t so popular so may well be new to them. The game teaches children the basics of planting seeds, the need to water plants, fertilising the soil and keeping away bugs. A really simple click through game so even the little ones can have a go.
Looney Tunes Veggie Patch
This is another simple click through game where you can plant seeds for different fruits, vegetables and plants. Then add water to help them grow and feed them to the animal characters. An easy interactive game for kids of all ages to help introduce them to the ideas of growing vegetables and harvesting foods. Find it here.
Baby Supermarket
There are 2 sides to the Baby Supermarket, one which helps kids learn about different types of food and one where they need to find the foods the customer wants on the super market shelves. This game is great for understanding different types of foods but also for working on spelling, reading and word recognition. Its easy to work and understand and even smaller children will be able to handle it.
Juice Crusher
Fun and fast-paced game to fill the juicer with the correct falling fruit, whilst stopping the incorrect fruit from landing in the machine. Introducing kids to lots of different types of fruit and getting them to engage with the idea of healthy fruit smoothies as a drink option. Are you quick enough to move the fruit and score the highest points. Increasing difficult and speed so probably one that is better for slightly older children. Encourages the need to read the fruit names and count the number needed, so is helping build on language and number skills.
Fitness Food Run
And lastly this game is more suited to older kids as it requires more advanced skills to play. Fitness First Run is a horizontal scrolling platform game that requires the players to build up their health score and speed by eating the fruits and veggies, while avoiding the gunk food. You need to run the course, eat the correct foods, miss the gaps and jump to reach the healthier food to help increase your score. A simple concept but it requires some practice and skill. Great for explaining the idea that healthy foods can help us be stronger and fitter.
By incorporating free online food-themed games into our children’s lives, we’re not only making learning about nutrition fun and engaging but also laying the foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits. So, whether it’s exploring the colorful world of fruits and veggies or embarking on culinary adventures in the digital realm, let’s continue to make healthy eating a delightful journey for our little ones. After all, a game today might just shape their plate tomorrow! Here’s to happy, healthy kids and countless food-fueled adventures ahead!