Winter break is upon us, bringing with it a delightful opportunity to engage our little ones in activities that not only entertain but also nurture their relationship with nutritious foods. As a dietitian and a mom, I've discovered that turning healthy habits into a sensory adventure makes the journey enjoyable for everyone involved. So, let's dive into some winter-themed nutrition fun that will not only keep the kids entertained but also sneak in some valuable lessons about making nutritious choices.

Already being cooped up inside during the cold weather season plus having the kids home for winter break is a combination for disaster lol! Last winter, I found myself looking for creative ways to keep my son engaged indoors during those frosty days. That's when I decided to combine the magic of the season with nutrition education. Whether your kids are on winter break or not, use these activities to break up the monotony of winter and peak with foodie interests!

Here are a few fun indoor sensory activities to try this winter:

1. Snowman Smoothie Building:

• Materials Needed: Various fruits, yogurt, blender.

• Activity: Set up a smoothie station with an assortment of fruits and yogurt. Let the kids build their own snowman-inspired smoothies, encouraging creativity and healthy choices. It's a tasty way to learn about different fruits and their benefits. You can ask fun and silly questions like, “What does a snowman eat?”, “Do you think they like hot or cold drinks…why?”.

2. Sensory Veggie Painting:

• Materials Needed: Various vegetables, paper, washable paint OR yogurt.

• Activity: Turn veggies into paintbrushes! I did this fun activity with my sons entire preschool class last year and the kids had a blast. We used yogurt (just in case the littles decided to sneak a taste), but you can use washable paint too! The kids were so engaged in the activity, some even doing full on finger painting with the yogurt, squeezing and mashing it around. It was also fun listening to their side conversations about which veggies they have tried and which veggies they would never try HA!

• Dip cut veggies into washable paint and let the kids create vegetable-stamped masterpieces.

3. Frosty Fruit Tasting Adventure:

• Materials Needed: Assorted winter fruits (e.g., pomegranates, clementines, kiwi).

• Activity: Create a winter fruit tasting platter with a variety of seasonal fruits. Challenge the kids to taste and describe each fruit's flavor, texture, and color. It's a delightful way to introduce new fruits and encourage mindful eating.

• This can also be a fun way to engage your kids in a fun science experiment. If your kids are older, give them a pad and a pen. Let them make observations and write a hypothesis about what they believe the fruits will taste like. Ask if their hypothesis and conclusions were accurate. If your kids are younger, engage them in a voting contest, having them vote on whether they enjoyed pomegranates or kiwi more. Winning fruit is served with dinner!

4. Winter Garden Planting:

• Materials Needed: Small pots, soil, winter-friendly seeds (e.g., winter greens, radishes).

• Activity: Start an indoor winter garden. Allow the kids to plant seeds, water the plants, and watch them grow. This hands-on activity fosters an appreciation for fresh, home-grown produce. They are already planting seeds whether you know it or not - my son takes apple seeds and plants them around the yard any chance he gets lol! Might as well intentionally grow a garden together :)

Bottom line

Winter break is not just a vacation from school—it's an opportunity to infuse joy into healthy habits. These sensory nutrition activities not only engage the senses but also lay the foundation for a lifetime of nutritious choices. So, gather up your kids, embark on these winter adventures, and make this break a time of learning, laughter, and good food. Cheers to a season of joyous nutrition exploration! ❄️🍏