In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy for parents to feel overwhelmed when it comes to preparing healthy and appealing meals for their children. However, with a little creativity and some help from the kids themselves, making bento boxes can turn into a fun and interactive activity. Bento boxes are not only visually appealing but also provide a balanced and nutritious meal for kids. In this blog, we will explore the art of making bento boxes and how to make the process enjoyable for both parents and children.
To foster bonding between moms and kids, Mommy Bloggers Philipines held a bento box making activity with several moms from the community in partnership with Jack N’ Jill Lush Candies. The activity involved 15 moms and their kids where they sampled Lush Candies ( Strawberry and Chocolate flavors) and added them in their bento making activity with their kids. The activity was captured in videos and all these videos were presented to Facebook community followers of Mommy Bloggers Philippines through an FB Live event. The audience were encouraged to pick the best bento making videos according to creativity and how the mom-and-kid team had fun during the bento-making process.
Here are some of the tips that the moms learned on how to make bento-making fun, yummy and delicious!
- Get creative with food choices: One of the best ways to make bento making fun with kids is to let their imagination run wild when it comes to choosing food items. Encourage them to pick colorful fruits and vegetables, different shapes of cheese, and protein sources like chicken, tofu, or eggs. You can also involve them in grocery shopping and let them choose their favorite ingredients. This way, they will feel a sense of ownership over their bento creation.
- Invest in fun-shaped cutters: Food presentation plays a significant role in making bento boxes visually appealing. Invest in fun-shaped food cutters in various sizes to create interesting shapes out of fruits, vegetables, and sandwiches. Children will enjoy using these cutters to make stars, hearts, animals, or any other shapes they fancy. It’s an excellent way to make their bento box look exciting and engaging.
- Encourage artistic expression: Bento making is not just about arranging food in a box; it’s also an opportunity for children to express their creativity. Encourage them to make edible art by arranging food items in a visually appealing manner. For example, they can create a scene with broccoli trees, carrot flowers, and rice pandas. Provide them with colorful food picks, edible markers, and nori (seaweed) to add fun details to their creations. This artistic aspect will make bento making an enjoyable and imaginative activity.
- Make it a family affair: Involve the entire family in the bento-making process. Allocate specific tasks to each family member, such as cutting fruits, preparing sandwiches, or assembling the boxes. Working together not only lightens the workload but also creates a sense of togetherness. Children will feel empowered and appreciated when they see their contributions in the final product. Additionally, it’s an excellent opportunity for parents to teach their kids about healthy food choices and the importance of a balanced diet.
- Share bento box ideas: To keep the excitement alive, share bento box ideas with your kids. Look for inspiration online, in cookbooks, or by joining bento-making communities. There are countless creative ideas and tutorials available that can help you and your children come up with new and exciting designs. Sharing these ideas will encourage your kids to think outside the box and experiment with different food combinations.
Making bento boxes with kids is not only about providing them with a healthy meal but also about fostering their creativity and making mealtime an enjoyable experience. By involving children in the bento-making process, encouraging their artistic expression, and sharing ideas, parents can turn an everyday task into a fun and bonding activity. So, let’s unleash our creativity, bring smiles to our children’s faces, and make bento making an exciting adventure for the whole family!
