Fun Ways for Kids to Track Fruit and Vegetable Intake

It can sometimes be hard to get children to eat their fruits and vegetables. In most cases, children simply don't like foods they've never tried. When you make it game though, chances are your children will be more apt to eat their fruits and veggies. Whether it's coloring in a chart or having fun with produce stickers, there are several fun ways for kids to track their fruit and vegetable intake.

Create a Coloring Chart

Every child likes to color. You could make this chart as elaborate or simple as you like, but the idea is to create a chart that allows the child to color in a section each time they have a piece of fruit. For example, you might take a large piece of poster board and draw different fruits your child normally eats and break each fruit into smaller sections. Once the child has filled in the entire chart, they can get a small prize. You want to remember to put this chart out of your child's reach or you could wake up one morning to find the entire chart filled in and your child wanting a prize.

Have Fun with Produce Stickers

There are so many fun things you can do with produce stickers and the best part is, kids love stickers. You could let the child place the stickers on a calendar and if they eat fruits and vegetables every day of the month, they could get a prize. You could even use the stickers to color in the chart that was discussed above. Last, but not least, you could make a fun picture using the stickers. Draw out a large simple design and then find fruits that have stickers that match the colors the child wanted to use. The more fruit he eats, the closer he comes to finishing the picture.

Make a Game Out of Trying New Fruits and Vegetables

If you go online and search for the term "PLU code list" you'll be given a complete list of the product codes used for fruits and vegetables. Search through the list and select items that are commonly found in your grocery store or farmer's market. Write the codes down and leave enough room in between to place the produce sticker. The rules of the game are to try all the fruits and vegetables on the list and once there is a sticker for each item on the list, you win. This game encourages kids to try new foods and is a great way to find out which fruits and vegetables your children like best.

When you make things fun, children are more likely to get involved, even when it comes to eating their fruits and vegetables.