Mealtimes can be a great way to interact with your toddler and make him feel involved. When you include your child in mealtime activities and preparation, he is more likely to eat the food that you are serving. Additionally, cooking activities will help him learn about nutrition, as well as science and math concepts such as fractions, measurement, evaporation, and more.

Personal Placemats

Your child will enjoy creating his own placemat that he can use at every mealtime. He may want to make one for each person in your family.

• Have your child decorate both sides of the poster board with crayons and markers.

• Use clear contact paper to laminate his creation.

Homemade Butter

This activity is a lot easier than you would imagine. While making butter, your child is developing large motor skills and observing scientific changes as well.

• Put the heavy cream in the jar with a marble. Cover jar with lid.

• Have your child shake the jar vigorously until butter forms. Enjoy your fresh butter on some hot rolls!

Rainbow Toast

Your toddler will enjoy decorating his toast in many colors. This is fun to make and fun to eat!

• Divide the milk into four or more portions in small containers. An empty Styrofoam egg carton works well.

• Help your child place a few drops of food coloring in each milk portion to create the colors he desires.

• Have child use the cotton swabs as paintbrushes to paint colorful milk designs on the bread. Be sure they don't get too soggy.

• Toast the bread under a broiler.

Mini Pizzas

Pizza may very well be the most popular food among children. Here is a way to involve your child in mealtimes and spark his creativity, too.

• Help your toddler pat the biscuit dough out into a circle, then help him spread on the sauce and cheese.

• Let your child choose and arrange the toppings for his pizza. One idea is to use to pepperoni slices and a green pepper slice to make a smiley face.

• Bake the pizza in a toaster oven or under the broiler until the cheese melts.