Finding the perfect gift for kids can be a challenge. Food-themed presents can be fun, engaging, and even educational. Here are some food-based Christmas gift ideas for the kids that encourage creativity, sensory play, and an early love for food and cooking.
DIY Cooking Kits:
Cooking is a life skill that the kids can learn from a young age. Plus kids love getting hands-on in the kitchen. Assemble a DIY kit with the ingredients and tools needed to make a simple recipe. For example:
Pizza Night Kit: Include a small rolling pin, pizza dough mix, and toppings like shredded cheese, tomato sauce, and herbs.
Cookie Decorating Kit: Provide pre-baked cookies, colourful icing, and sprinkles for endless creativity.
Kid Friendly Cookbooks:
A cookbook designed for kids can spark creativity and a love of cooking. Look for books with bright illustrations, simple instructions, and easy recipes. This Bluey-themed book might be a hit with your children: Bluey Themed Cookbook. Pair the cookbook with a small kitchen tool like a whisk or a set of cookie cutters to complete the gift.
OR for the little ones that aren't able to get involved in the kitchen yet, a textured food picture book can be a great learning sensory experience. This one from Kaiser Craft is a great option.
Bento Box Lunch Sets:
Turn lunch into an adventure with a colourful bento box. These multi-compartment containers make it easy to pack a variety of foods, encouraging kids to try new things. Add reusable silicone food cups, fun-shaped sandwich cutters, or food picks for extra fun.
Homemade Playdough:
Simple, affordable, and endlessly customisable. Add food colouring or scents like vanilla or cinnamon for an extra festive touch. This is suitable for many ages and can be made from ingredients you probably already have at home. There are many recipes online but it’s basically 1 cup flour, ¼ cup salt, 2 tsp cream of tartar, 1 cup warm water, 1 Tbs vegetable oil and food colouring all cooked and mixed together in a pot on the stove until it forms a dough!
Veggie Garden Kits:
Teach kids where their food comes from with a veggie kit. Many companies offer child-friendly kits for growing herbs, vegetables, or fruits. You can also create your own by gifting small pots, soil, and seeds. Watching their plants grow and eventually eating what they’ve nurtured is an incredible experience for kids. Here’s one from Bunnings: Veggie Garden starter Kit
Play Food and Kitchen Toys:
Play food sets and kitchen toys are a fantastic way to introduce the concept of cooking and healthy eating. This could look like:
Wooden or plastic play food that includes fruits, veggies, and pantry staples.
Pretend kitchens or kitchen appliances like a mini blender or toaster.
Play tea sets for imaginative picnics
Personalised Aprons or Chef Hats:
Kids love dressing the part! A personalised apron or chef hat makes them feel like a real chef and adds an extra layer of fun to any cooking activity. Choose a bright colour or a playful pattern that matches their personality.
Food Cutters:
Get the kids involved in the kitchen with some of these child-friendly utensils:
Cookie cutters in fun shapes
Child-friendly knives and slicers like these ones
Food Related Experiences:
Give the gift of memories with a food-related experience such as:
A kid-friendly cooking class.
A family outing to a pick-your-own fruit farm.
A food science workshop or museum trip.
These activities offer quality time and learning opportunities that go beyond material gifts.
Dinnertime Games:
Turn meals into a game with something like food cards or food bingo. Create cards with different food items, and let your child pick one they’re willing to try. It turns trying new foods into an adventure!
Why food-based Gifts?
Food-related presents go beyond traditional toys, they encourage creativity, foster independence, and promote curiosity around new and familiar foods. Whether it's "chopping" wooden veggies or baking cookies with a new set of cutters, these gifts offer experiences that kids and parents can enjoy. Plus, they’re great for creating special memories together.
We hope you love these ideas and have a wonderful Christmas with your little ones. If you need any one-on-one support feeding your child feel free to reach out or click HERE, I’m always here to help!
This blog post was written by Paediatric Dietitian and Co-Founder of Hera Nutrition - Elise Pope. Information shared in this blog post is general in nature and should not replace individualised advice from a health professional. Professional medical advice should be obtained before making any decisions regarding you or your child’s health.
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