Most grandparents grew up hearing \u201cdon\u2019t play with your food\u201d at the dinner table. Now they\u2019re sitting beside a high chair, watching a little one squish, stack and dip with total delight. On Grandparents Day, Little Bellies celebrated that shift, because the old rule has changed and grandparents are perfectly placed to enjoy it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Play is how little ones learn about the world, and food is part of that world. When a baby squishes a soft snack or a toddler stacks biscuits into a tower, they\u2019re finding out how food feels, smells and behaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s the idea behind our Playing With Food campaign: curiosity, confidence and imagination. What looks like a mess is a chance to discover new shapes, textures and flavours. Here\u2019s what each action is doing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes. A little mess usually means a little one is curious, and curiosity is where confidence around food begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most grew up hearing \u201cdon\u2019t play with your food\u201d, and it came from a good place. Mealtimes were about manners and sitting still.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, we see play as one of the most natural ways little ones learn, and food is no exception. Maybe it\u2019s time to rethink the rule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not at all. You fed your family with the knowledge you had, and the little ones in your life now get to enjoy a different way of discovering food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Grandparents often bring time, patience and a calm that busy households don\u2019t always have. A grandparent who sits back and lets a little one take their time with a snack gives them room to try, drop, try again and taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those slow, shared moments build trust, and trust makes new foods feel less daunting. Eating alongside Nan or Pop also shows little ones that mealtimes are a happy, social occasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Start with a soft, age-and-stage appropriate snack and let your grandchild lead. Offer a few pieces to grab and squish, build a small tower together, or dip a snack into a little yoghurt and see what happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Narrate what you see (\u201cWow, that one\u2019s crunchy!\u201d) and celebrate every small discovery. The goal is enjoyment, not a clean plate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stay close and seated with your grandchild while they eat, and check with their parents about which foods and textures suit their stage. Little Bellies snacks are made for specific ages-and-stages, so choosing the right range is an easy place to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A wipe-clean mat, a big bib and a relaxed attitude go a long way. Mess is part of the plan, so there\u2019s no need to tidy as you go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our organic snacks are made for little hands at every stage, so grandparents can match the range to their grandchild\u2019s age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The rule grandparents grew up with has flipped, and they now have the best seat in the house. Grandparents Day may have passed, but the nicest gift is still an unhurried snack, a little mess and a grandparent who’s happy to join in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
From the soft textures of the baby range to the crunch of the toddler range, there\u2019s a Little Bellies snack for every stage of discovery. Find the right one for your next visit in the Little Bellies range<\/a> and let them play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, as long as you check in with their parents first. Ask which foods and textures suit their stage and any house rules, then follow their lead so everyone feels comfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n \n Many little ones start finger foods around this age, and our 7+ month snacks have a soft, melt-in-the-mouth texture. Always check with their parents or a health professional about when your grandchild is ready.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n \n That\u2019s common, and every little one finds their own pace. Food play helps build familiarity with new tastes and textures, so keep it relaxed and keep offering.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n \n Set the scene before the snack arrives with a wipe-clean mat, a big bib and a few wipes within reach. Small portions on the tray keep things manageable, and a calm attitude from you sets the tone.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Most grandparents grew up hearing \u201cdon\u2019t play with your food\u201d at the dinner table. Now they\u2019re sitting beside a high chair, watching a little one squish, stack and dip with total delight. On Grandparents Day, Little Bellies celebrated that shift, because the old rule has changed and grandparents are perfectly placed to enjoy it. Key […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":3029,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3026","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-playing-with-food"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tFrequently Asked Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
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\n Is it okay for my grandchild to play with food at my house if their parents have different rules?<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n\n
\n Is 7 months too early for a baby to play with food?<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n\n
\n What if my grandchild plays more than they eat?<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n\n
\n How do I stop mealtimes with my grandchild turning into chaos?<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n\n