Five Tips to Building a Kid-Friendly Board

Loving the concept of grazing boards and thinking about creating one for family or a group that includes kiddos?  We’ve put together a handy guide of five tips to building a board that checks the boxes of stunning, delicious and kid-friendly as well.   

Embrace Nostalgia

Remember what it felt like to see rainbow sprinkles on a cupcake or a giant bowl of chocolate pudding laid in front of you for dessert?  There are few levels of enthusiasm that can match kids’ when it comes to spotting their favorite foods, something I know mine are able to do from what seems like miles away, and we could learn a thing or two from them on this.  When planning a board to be shared between littles and adults, start with thinking back on a favorite treat from your childhood; thinking like a kid is the best way to remember that great food is sophisticated and delicious, yes, but it can also be whimsical, silly and fun!  A grazing board doesn’t necessarily have to be overflowing with orange goldfish to be something everyone can nibble on. Instead of starting with the list of kid snack standbys, try putting yourself in a set of smaller shoes to get some insight on the flavors, colors and textures that will make a stunning spread for the kid in everyone.  Catch our playful nod to nostalgia in our Back to School Board here!

Build for Little Fingers

Bite-sized portions are the norm for most cheese boards, however when building with kiddos in mind think even smaller.  Smaller portions are safer to chew and swallow and will encourage trying new foods and flavors without the commitment that comes with a large serving.  Unfamiliar foods can be daunting to young palates, and tiny tastes are a great way to introduce them to something new. Don’t be afraid to half large grapes or tomatoes, offer lots of little ‘dippers’ and lean into the confetti approach to sweets with chocolate chips, small berries or these still-so-sophisticated chocolate pearls that will encourage digging into the whole board.

Fill it with Favorites & Squeeze in Something New

While a grazing board can be the perfect way to introduce our littles to the foods we love (and hope they will too), don’t forget to fill your shared boards with familiar favorites they already devour.  Besides ensuring they’ll have something to eat, seeing loads of their favorite foods supports a comfort zone that actually builds the courage to try something new. To add a sophisticated touch to your family-friendly boards, try adding a little elevation to the usual suspects: trade baby carrots for whole rainbow or heirloom varieties, let a beautiful aged Mimolette take the place of standard cheddar, and swap the usual deli meats & pepperoni for a cured prosciutto or salami.   If we hope to teach our children to love great food as much as we do, we must let them explore at their own pace with plenty of comfort and cushion along the way.  

Make a Rainbow

If there was a mantra that was drilled into me through culinary school more than any other, it was that plate presentation is eighty-percent of the take-away from every meal.  We eat with our eyes and children are no exception!  Think of your grazing board like an artist’s palette, and let the approach of a color-focused meal get your creative juices flowing.  Green may immediately inspire thoughts of broccoli, but could also include edamame, snow peas, heirloom tomatoes, M&M’s, and more. Finding a theme or color-palette for a board menu is one of our favorite ways to plan, and doesn’t have to be kept to the holidays: a theme of ‘Springtime’  could mean a focus on plenty of pinks, purples, yellows and light greens, an after school apple-tasting board offers a broad spectrum in reds, pinks, yellows and greens. Not to mention, when it comes to nourishing ourselves and our littles, eating a wide variety of colors provides the essential vitamins and minerals needed to grow healthy bodies and minds; everyone wins with a rainbow!

No Phones Allowed

Once you’ve created a board that’s both beautiful and delicious, put your phone on silent and place it in another room while you eat.  Slow down and make eye contact while you graze and chat and catch up on each others’ day. Ask your kids what their top picks of the board are and what they’d eat again.  Get creative and encourage everyone to do the same, mixing and matching flavors and tasting each others’ combinations. Laugh. Be silly. Make the most of your hard work by taking the time to be present and really enjoy not only the food, but the company you prepared it for as well.  

Ready to tackle a kid-friendly board or know someone who does? Share this post with them below!