How to teach your child to eat soup! This can be a tricky skill for many kids. Here are a few tips to make it easier.
We love soup! Not only is it a great way to pack lots of nutrition into one bowl, but it’s generally easy to make (hello, Instant Pot) and can last for multiple meals.
However, eating soup is a learned skill for kiddos. So how can you help them?
6 Tips for How to Teach Your Child to Eat Soup
1. Start with Familiar Flavors and Textures
Introduce soups that align with flavors and textures your child already enjoys. For example, if your child likes mashed potatoes, consider starting with a creamy potato soup. Soups are also a great place to incorporate canned beans and lentils. Gradually introduce soups with different ingredients and textures as their palate expands.
2. Deconstruct it
Sometimes our kids aren’t too keen on the idea of lots of things being mixed. So, we do a lot of deconstructed versions of dinner at our houses. For instance, if the grown-ups are eating soup – the kids are eating soup too, but it may be that the liquid is put into a cup, and some of the beans and veggies are spooned into piles on their plates, along with bread or crackers.
3. Make it Interactive
We know… soup isn’t the cleanest family meal for kids to help with – but hear us out. Turn soup eating into a more engaging activity to encourage them to try new things. Let your child help with simple tasks like stirring the soup or adding toppings. You can also create a “build-your-own-soup” station with various toppings like croutons, shredded cheese, or chopped herbs, allowing them to customize their bowl.
4. Lead by Example
Children often mimic the behavior of adults (for better or for worse, right?!) so try to demonstrate positive soup-eating habits yourself. Sit down with your child during mealtime, show enthusiasm for trying new soups, and show them how you use your spoon to scoop it up. This is also a good opportunity to teach them how to gently blow on it to cool it off.
5. Use Fun Presentation
Present the soup in creative ways to make it more appealing to your babes. Serve soup in colorful bowls or use fun-shaped pasta to make it visually exciting. You can also garnish the soup with smiley faces or other designs made from ingredients like sliced vegetables or cheese to add a playful touch.
6. Offer Dipping Options
If your child is hesitant about eating soup with a spoon, offer alternative dipping options. Provide soft bread or crackers for dipping into the soup, turning it into a dipping adventure. This can make the experience more interactive and enjoyable for kids while still allowing them to taste the flavors of the soup.
Try some of these tips for how to teach your child to eat soup using our Vegan Tomato Lentil Soup or Weeknight Vegan Minestrone Soup.
Like this post? Send it straight to your email
Enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus, we’ll send you our free 5-day mini-course on Pediatric Nutrition!
Chime In: Does your kiddo eat soup? What are some things you found helpful for teaching them?
If you found this post helpful, we think you should read these too:
