How Can I Get My Picky Eater Involved in Holiday Meals?

Progressive Pediatric Therapy • December 2, 2020

Written By: Shira Danino, M.A., CCC-SLP

How can i get my picky eater involved in holiday meals ?

Do you have a picky eater? Are you interested in figuring out how to include him/her in holiday meals?

We are about to begin a marathon of holiday meals, most of which picky eaters may feel left out with no place to participate. 

Here are some ideas to get your little picky eater involved in mealtime! 

A man and a little girl are standing in front of a display case in a bakery.

Shopping for Ingredients:

Bringing your child to the grocery store is a great way to expand their knowledge of all different foods, colors, and shapes! You can create a list with your child and ask him to name some foods of a certain color. If you are choosing not to shop in the store itself due to social distancing, technology is here to help! Sit with your child at the computer and have him help search for foods for a curbside pickup order. This is a great start to getting your child involved in the holiday! 

Washing Vegetables:

Set your child up at the sink with a tall chair or step stool. Go over each vegetable and why it’s important to wash them! You can add some vocabulary to this activity by talking about how the vegetable feels, talk about texture and ripeness! 


Two children are washing vegetables in a sink and one is holding a yellow pepper
A little boy is sitting on a counter holding a bowl of flour

Mixing Ingredients:

This part is so fun! Kids love to be involved in making a mess! Cracking eggs, adding flour, using a whisk, or turning on the mixer are surefire ways to get your kiddo excited about a dish! He is much more likely to be open to trying a new food if he’s engaged in the cooking process.


Coloring Placemats:

You can buy blank placemats for kids to color or paint prior to your holiday. This way, Grandma can GUSH over their artistic ability while eating the yummy food your child has helped to prepare! 


A boy and a girl are sitting at a table drawing with pencils

Three young boys are sitting at a table decorating cookies.

Planning and Writing the Menu:

If you have an older child who is particular in what he/she eats, have them type up a menu! Make sure you go through the dishes and have them come up with yummy, delicious, mouth-watering adjectives to describe the wonderful food you’ll be serving! 

Help Serve the Food:

Have your child bring the dishes to the table, and they can even practice some pragmatic skills on the way! “Enjoy your meal!” “Bon appetite!” or “Let me know what else I can get for you,” are great ways to expand your little ones social skills! 


A woman and two children are sitting at a table eating food.

If you’d like to learn more about helping your picky eater, Click HERE for a FREE virtual screening!

We hope you have a safe and enjoyable holiday season! Best wishes and happy holidays from the PPT family! 

ARFID Isn't "Picky Eating" or Anorexia: What a 2026 Review of 22 Studies Found

By Aimee Brueck • September 15, 2026
A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 studies finds ARFID has a distinct clinical profile from anorexia and bulimia in children and teens. Progressive Pediatric Therapy explains what it means for feeding therapy in Palm Beach County. Schedule an evaluation today.

Toe Walking in Children: Causes, Treatment, and When Parents Should Seek Help

By Aimee Brueck • September 14, 2026
Is your child toe walking? Learn the causes of toe walking in children, how pediatric PT and OT help, and when to seek an evaluation. Progressive Pediatric Therapy provides individualized toe walking therapy in Palm Beach County, evaluating the whole child. Schedule an evaluation in Palm Beach County today.

Toe Walking and Sensory Processing: Why the Cause Changes the Outcome

By Aimee Brueck • September 8, 2026
A 2026 study found children with autism or sensory processing disorder were far more likely to return to toe walking after surgery than idiopathic toe walkers. Progressive Pediatric Therapy explains what that means for families in Palm Beach County and why identifying the sensory piece matters before treatment.

Treadmill Training for Children With Cerebral Palsy: What Improved, What Didn't, and Why That Matters

By Aimee Brueck • September 4, 2026
Does treadmill training help children with cerebral palsy walk better? South Florida families trust Progressive Pediatric Therapy for expert pediatric physical therapy in South Florida. Our licensed therapists break down a 2025 randomized trial. Schedule an evaluation today.

Gestalt Language Processing and NLA: What Every Parent Should Know Before Starting Therapy

By Aimee Brueck • September 2, 2026
A 2025 peer-reviewed commentary examines the evidence behind Gestalt Language Processing (GLP) and the NLA protocol. Progressive Pediatric Therapy breaks down the concerns, the common ground, and what it means for families in Palm Beach County.

Does Balance Training Actually Work for Kids With Developmental Delays? A 2026 Review of 22 Trials

August 28, 2026
Does balance training help children with developmental delays? South Florida families choose Progressive Pediatric Therapy for expert pediatric physical therapy in South Florida. Our licensed therapists explain a new 2026 meta-analysis of 22 trials. Schedule an evaluation today.

Supporting Premature Infants: Guidance for Families of Babies Born Early

By Aimee Brueck • August 28, 2026
When a baby arrives earlier than expected, the first weeks and months can bring both joy and uncertainty. Families often leave the NICU or hospital with important instructions — but also many questions about their baby’s development. Parents may find themselves wondering: “Should my baby be rolling, smiling, or eating more by now?” These questions are very common for families of premature infants. Many concerns fall into a gray area between needing formal therapy and simply needing expert reassurance and guidance. At Progressive Pediatric Therapy, our Guiding Growth Program provides proactive developmental support for premature and medically complex infants — helping families understand their baby’s development while building confidence during the first year.

What Is the Long-Term Outlook for a Child With Severe Apraxia of Speech? What the 2026 Research Actually Says

By Aimee Brueck • August 26, 2026
What does apraxia of speech look like years from now? South Florida families trust Progressive Pediatric Therapy for pediatric speech therapy in South Florida. Our licensed speech-language pathologists break down the newest 2026 research. Schedule an evaluation today.

Guiding Growth in Your Baby’s First Year: Support for Every Milestone

By Aimee Brueck • August 25, 2026
The first year of a baby’s life is filled with rapid growth and change. From their first smiles and rolls to sitting, crawling, and early communication, each stage brings exciting milestones — and sometimes questions for parents. Many families find themselves wondering if their baby is developing as expected or if there’s something they should be doing to support the next stage. At Progressive Pediatric Therapy, our Guiding Growth Program provides expert guidance for families during the first year of life, offering milestone monitoring, practical strategies, and reassurance as babies grow and develop.

The Power of the Pen: Why Cursive Handwriting Still Matters

By Aimee Brueck • August 21, 2026
In a world filled with screens, typing, and digital learning, handwriting — especially cursive — is becoming less common in many classrooms. Yet handwriting remains one of the most powerful tools for learning. Writing by hand connects movement, memory, and meaning in ways that typing simply cannot. At Progressive Pediatric Therapy, our Cursive Handwriting Program helps children strengthen the physical and cognitive skills behind writing while rediscovering the joy of putting pen to paper.