Quick Tips for a Positive Thanksgiving Mealtime

By Rebecca Lotwich

The holidays are a time for connection, laughter, and shared meals. For families with children who are learning to explore new foods, big holiday dinners can sometimes feel overwhelming. Whether your child prefers familiar favorites or is still discovering new textures and tastes, a positive mealtime experience is always possible. Here are some quick tips to help make Thanksgiving (and every meal) more relaxed and joyful.

Quick Tips for a Positive Thanksgiving Mealtime

1. Focus on connection, not a clean plate. The goal is a happy, low-stress experience engaging with a variety of foods in a fun way.
2. Offer familiar favorites. Keep at least one “safe food” on the plate to support comfort.
3. Engage the senses. Touching, smelling, and licking all count as progress.
4. Use playful language. Turn mealtime into a story: “Let’s see if this potato mountain is soft or sticky!”
5. Keep it positive. The goal is a fun, low-pressure experience, not a perfect plate.

Let’s gobble up progress, not pressure!