Preschool Food Activity - Fun and Messy Family Dinner

By Julie Pirkle

It’s no secret that preschoolers love playing with their food. Why not host a fun and messy family dinner? The giggles won’t stop when mom prepares a meal that preschoolers and parents eat straight off the table with their hands-no plates, no silverware. This dinner is guaranteed to be the talk of the town! Your preschooler won’t soon forget this silly dinner and will treasure this wacky evening with mom and dad!

The Menu

A no silverware, no plates dinner isn’t the time to play it “safe.” Finger foods are an absolute no, no! Eating foods that you would normally eat with silverware is what makes this dinner fun.

Sample Menu
Antipasto Salad
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Garlic Bread
Ice Cream

Other great foods for a fun and messy family dinner include casseroles, mashed potatoes, rice, stuffing, spinach, pudding and pie.

What You Will Need

Your Prepared Dinner

Thick Paper Tablecloth

Camera (optional)

What to Do

Step 1:

Put the paper tablecloth on your dinner table.

Step 2:

Have everyone sit down to together at the dinner table.

Step 3:

Serve the food in courses, directly onto the table.

Step 4:

Eat with your hands.

Step 5:

Clean up is a mother’s dream. Just wrap all the mess in the paper tablecloth and throw it out.

Capture the Moment

Take some pictures or video of your fun and messy family dinner. You and your preschooler will get a kick out of reliving the memories.

More Fun and Messy Family Dinner Ideas

*Let your preschooler draw on the paper tablecloth while you prepare dinner.

*Host a fun and messy family dinner party with friends or family. You may want to host your dinner party on the patio to reduce the mess.

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