At Miniware, we believe that mealtimes are more than just eating —they’re an opportunity for sensory exploration and development. That’s why we’ve teamed up with pediatric occupational therapist Laurel McMilian of Little Roos Pediatric Therapy to give you three simple yet effective ways to encourage sensory play at the dinner table .

1: Embrace the mess – Sensory play through food exploration

Letting your child mess around with their food is more than just fun—it’s crucial for their sensory development. By squeezing, smelling, and exploring different textures, tastes, and even sounds of food , your child is building a strong foundation for healthy eating habits. This hands-on experience can reduce picky eating and increase acceptance of new foods. So the next time your child wants to play with their food—let them! It’s an important part of the learning process.

💡 Tip: Use tools like our Sensory Bowl to enhance the experience. The bowl's textured design keeps baby engaged and turns mealtime into a multi-sensory adventure.

2: Movement before meals

Before your child sits down to eat, encourage some active play ! Rocking, jumping or dancing helps stimulate balance and body awareness, making it easier to regulate sensory input. This physical activity allows the child to approach the meal with more calmness, which reduces restlessness and improves the ability to focus on the food. It also supports a more positive attitude towards meals.

💡 Tip: Introducing a short and fun activity before meals can make a big difference in how your child interacts with food.

3: Make the food visually appealing

How you present food can have a big impact on your child’s willingness to try new flavors. Serve small portions of less popular foods alongside favorites, and try creative ways to display food—perhaps in fun shapes or by using a muffin tin as a mini serving tray. Visual variety and repeated exposure help children feel more comfortable with different foods and lead to more balanced eating habits over time.

💡 Tip: Our Healthy Meal Set is perfect for this! The clever compartments allow you to separate different foods and create a visually appealing and varied meal that encourages your child to explore their food.

Sensory play at mealtimes – a key to your child's development

By embracing mess, incorporating movement, and making food more visually appealing , you can help your child develop healthy eating habits—all while having fun together at the dinner table! 🎉🍽️✨