
If you want to help children find an exciting way to enjoy greens, microgreens for kids is a good choice. These tiny, colorful greens are fun not only to look at but also to add to meals. Microgreens’ mild flavors and bright colors make them a great way to introduce kids to new, healthy foods.
Here, we are going to see some of the fun activities, hands-on participation projects, and recipes that make the kids enjoy microgreens. In this manner, healthy eating is made enjoyable and relatable to kids!
Why Microgreens Are Great for Kids
Microgreens vary from neutral sunflower shoots to the spicy, warm taste of radish greens. As they are taken at a young stage of maturity, microgreens are generally less strong than regular greens and readily accepted by children. In addition, their small size and attractive colors catch attention naturally.
Microgreens Taste Test Challenge
Kids like games, so why not make microgreens a taste test challenge? Use a plate and line up your different microgreens in neat rows. Let’s say you have pea shoots, radish greens, and basil microgreens, and you give the kids all the microgreens to sample, asking them to describe what the flavors are. Spicy, sweet, or peppery? It makes tasting greens loads of fun, and it also begins building up the child’s palate.
Build-Your-Own Salad Bar
Prepare a mini salad bar with different microgreens like arugula, sunflower shoots, and cilantro microgreens. Add other toppings too, such as cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, shredded carrots, and a few dressings. Allow the kids to make their own salad. By giving them the choice, they may feel more in control over what ends up on their plate. This hands-on kind of approach often makes them more willing to give new foods a try.
Microgreen Art on Toast
Take snack time to a new dimension and let kids create edible “art” using microgreens. They will need whole-grain toast slices, spreads like hummus or cream cheese, and different types of microgreens. Kids can make funny shapes with the microgreens to look like flowers, animals, or faces. This is a game that is perfect fun because kids are going to experience colors and textures by having a healthy snack.
Microgreens for kids: fun recipes with microgreens
Mini Pizzas with Microgreen
Mini pizzas are a kid favorite and an easy way to add microgreens without overpowering other flavors.
Ingredients:
- English muffins or mini pizza crusts
- Tomato sauce Mozzarella cheese,
- shredded Cherry tomatoes sliced,
- A handful of mild microgreens-like sunflower or pea shoots
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Spread tomato sauce over each mini crust, followed by a sprinkle of cheese and a few slices of cherry tomatoes.
- Bake until cheese is melted and crust is golden, about 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven.
- Let cool a little, then top with small handful of microgreens.
- This will be like a fun pop of color for the kids. They can add the greens too!
Rainbow Microgreens for kids Wraps
Colorful wraps filled with a variety of veggies-perfect for lunch or snack.
Ingredients:
- Whole-wheat or spinach wraps
- Hummus or cream cheese
- Assorted veggies-like shredded carrots, bell pepper strips, cucumber
- A few microgreens- like radish or arugula
Instructions:
- Spread hummus or cream cheese on the wrap.
- Place veggies in a “rainbow” row.
- Add layer with microgreens.
- Roll the wrap tight and slice into pinwheels, if desired.
These wraps will look just as colorful as they taste, letting kids crunch and refresh into veggies with microgreens.
Microgreen for kids Smoothie
It is a fun way to incorporate microgreens into your diet without changing the flavor so much, particularly for kids.
Ingredients:
- 1 banana 1/2 cup frozen berries
- A handful of mild microgreens-such as sunflower shoots
- 1 cup milk or dairy-free alternative
- Honey or maple syrup, optional
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Serve in a fun cup with a straw.
- The berries will mask the color of the greens, and the mild flavor of sunflower microgreens blends nicely with fruits; thus, it can be a kids-friendly smoothie.
Microgreen Quesadillas
Quesadillas are one of the easy and versatile ways to add a little bit of green to your meal.
Ingredients
- Whole-wheat tortillas
- Shredded cheese, cheddar or mozzarella
- Mild microgreens, such as pea shoots
Instructions
- Put a tortilla into a hot skillet,
- sprinkle half of it with cheese,
- then top with a layer of microgreens.
- Fold the tortilla in half and cook until the cheese melts and the tortilla is golden brown.
- Cut up and serve with salsa or guacamole.
Kids can put together the quesadillas, and the gooey cheese conceals the greens for finicky eaters.
Creative Ways to Add Microgreens for kids into Everyday Meals
Microgreens as Toppings
Encourage your kids to sprinkle microgreens over some of their favorite foods, such as pasta, tacos, or scrambled eggs. Start with a mild microgreen, like sunflower shoots, so the flavor isn’t too bold. Sometimes allowing them to add the microgreens themselves can make them more eager to try.
Add Microgreens to Dips
Blend microgreens into dips like guacamole, hummus, or ranch. It adds a pop of color and freshness that won’t overpower the flavors in these dips. Kids love dipping their veggies into these colorful, nutritious dips.
Microgreen “Sprinkles” on Soup
Soups are great for cold days, and the microgreens add a nice garnish. Let the kids add “sprinkles” to their soup by sprinkling some microgreens into it. This is a pretty easy way to get them to taste them without making it a huge pressure situation. They will become accustomed to the taste in small steps.
Benefits of Getting Kids Involved with Microgreens
Getting kids involved with microgreens for kids nurtures a more positive attitude toward healthy foods. Here’s how:
Empowerment: When they have the ability to assemble or top their meals themselves, it can make them feel a sense of ownership.
Exploration: Microgreens have so many flavors-from mild to spicy they can explore all those tastes in the most fun ways possible.
Creativity: Opportunities to create microgreen art or rainbow wraps are opportunities to let the kids get creative with their food.
Exposure: Gradual, multiple exposure to the new foods, such as microgreens, will help a child build up comfort with them over time.
Microgreens for kids can transform mealtime into an exciting, interactive experience. From tasty recipes like mini pizzas and smoothies to creative activities like microgreen art, there are plenty of ways to get children interested in these tiny greens. When kids are empowered to explore and create, they’re more likely to develop a positive attitude toward healthy foods. Try incorporating some of these fun ideas into your routine and watch your kids discover the joy of adding fresh, nutritious microgreens to their meals.
Shop now for microgreens:
-
Cabbage Microgreens – Vibrant, Mild and Nutrient Dense$11.48 – $23.00
-
Speckled Pea Microgreens: Mild, Crisp, and Grown to Order$8.46 – $17.85
-
Daikon Radish$11.05 – $21.00