We know it can be hard to get your kids to eat their fruits and veggies. But, if you use a little creativity, you can get your kids to eat right.

With this fruit smoothie recipe, your kids wont even realize they're finally listening to you and getting their essential vitamins. They'll love the sweet taste and creamy texture and it makes a delicious summer snack. We challenge you to try it out with your kid today!

Ingredients

The only special treatment my young children get when we walk into a restaurant are the crayons and kiddie menu to doodle on. Why in the world would we punish them with chicken nuggets, hot dog, a reheated pizza, or whatnot, when they can be enjoying the fine Italian/ Thai/ French/ Vietnamese/ Californian cuisine that the adults are having? Does this surprise you? It shouldn’t. There’s this belief that children can’t eat grown-up food. They won’t like it. They don’t eat veggies. They can’t handle complex tastes, yadda yadda…

Do you feed your child Froot Loops and other foods containing coloring and dyes? Then, you NEED to read the rest of this article. We’ve always been told that food coloring is harmless and that it just makes foods look more appealing. But, in fact, it is a harmful poison that has the potential to damage your child in various ways, from neurological issues to cancer. These accusations come from a new research report from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a non-profit consumer watchdog organization.

If you want your children to eat a healthy, nutritious diet, there is probably no better way than to include them in the cooking process whenever possible. Most children are interested in the kitchen, especially if they see mom in there. Look at any toy store for proof of cooking's popularity with children as evidenced by the kitchen sets, fake foods and even the classic Easy-Bake Oven. By including your children in the cooking process, you will not only be bonding with them but you will also be teaching your children lifelong eating habits.

Modern Mom is very excited to announce we will be featuring daily tips from The Sneaky Chef. Check back each morning to find a new piece of advice to help make your day easier and your children healthier! We love it!

Planning cooking activities with children is not always as simple as pulling out the cookbook and jumping into the task. For the child, it's not a lot of fun to watch an adult do all the work. The key to an enjoyable and successful time in the kitchen with youngsters is a little bit of advance preparation. Allowing children to participate in each phase from adding ingredients to mixing to baking inspires confidence and a sense of involvement. Cooking activities can also offer learning opportunities in the areas of math, science, nutrition, creativity and following directions.

Cooking projects for children provide a bonding experience for the entire family. Cooking activities teach children how to follow directions, understand measurements and stick with an project. Invite the kids into the kitchen at meal and snack time to get them accustomed to the kitchen safety rules. Special cooking projects encourage the kids to take an active role in the process.

A homemade birthday cake creates special memories. There's no need for professional-level cake decorating skills. Even a simply decorated cake makes a child smile when she knows it was made with love. Consider the personality of the child when putting together the design of the decorative cake. Favorite characters, animals and hobbies are common choices for cake themes. If the child is old enough, ask for her input and ideas for decorating the cake.

Kids' cakes add a whimsical element to any party. Designing and decorating the cake yourself adds a personal touch to the sweet treat. Whether you have basic or advanced cake decorating skills, many design possibilities exist. Consider the interests and preferences of the child when planning the cake. Customize design ideas to create a personalized cake that fits the occasion.

Cooking with young children proves beneficial in many ways. Children learn about measurements and learn to follow a specific set of directions. Cooking provides bonding time for parents and kids. It can even result in a lesson on cause and effect when the recipe doesn't turn out quite right. Young children might eat more types of food when they help cook them. Children as young as eighteen months can assist with adding ingredients and stirring the mixture, making it an ideal activity for the entire family.