Category: Family Fun

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Area Attractions Blog Family Fun Kyle Texas Lifestyle

Guide to Outdoor Recreation: Kyle, Texas

It may still be the dead of winter and pretty chilly out, but that doesn’t mean you have to be stuck inside all the time, particularly on those days when the sun does decide to show itself. 

 

If you want to enjoy a little more outdoor recreation in 2024, here are a few places around Kyle to start. 

 

Plum Creek Trail: One of the best ways to explore Kyle and enjoy nature is on the Plum Creek Trail. Lace up your sneakers and grab your bike if you prefer because this trail covers 7 miles and connects Lake Kyle, Cool Springs, Waterleaf, and Steeplechase. Stretching from the City of Uhland (on the east) to the Blanco River (on the west), the trail is an ideal way to get some exercise and be immersed in the natural beauty surrounding Plum Creek. 

 

Lake Kyle: The park is open from sunrise to sunset seven days a week and is a popular spot for birding and area anglers. While the lake is a catch-and-release-only site for fishing, don’t make the mistake of thinking that the fish in the lake aren’t worth casting a line. As the photos on the lake’s bragging board show, some real monsters are swimming in its waters. 

 

Currently, it’s being restocked with bluegill sunfish, red ear sunfish, catfish, and largemouth bass for the spring season.

 

Steeplechase Dog Park: If your pup is tired of being cooped up inside all winter, then grab the leash and head down to the city’s dog park at 135 Hallie Drive. The park opened in 2018 and has become quite the place to wag about among the city’s four-legged residents. 

 

The park is divided into two sections: a small dog area for dogs under 25 pounds and a large dog area for dogs weighing 25 pounds or more. Owners and their pets can enjoy it from dawn to dusk, and good behavior among dogs and humans is expected at all times. For a full list of dog park rules, please visit the parks’ webpage. 

 

Gregg-Clarke Park, the Sports Complex: You might just call Gregg-Clarke Park the heart of the city’s sports scene. With several multiuse fields and plenty of parking, the city’s sports complex offers a wide variety of sporting options, including football, soccer, baseball, softball, kickball, jogging, walking, ultimate frisbee, kite flying, tennis, basketball, washers, horseshoes. And while it’s too cold out now, swing by on Memorial Day weekend when the park’s pool opens for the summer. 

 

The park also offers a pedestrian bridge that allows for easy access to the playground, picnic tables, and grills for cooking out. In the warmer months, you may even be able to catch an outdoor movie on one of the park’s screens on select nights. 

 

While Kyle has no shortage of outdoor recreation options, one of the things that makes Crosswinds such an appealing place to call home is the range of outdoor amenities located within the community. From walking the trail system to playing a few games of basketball or pickleball to grilling out or taking a dip in the pool in the summer, residents don’t have to venture far for outdoor fun. 

If you’d like to learn more about Crosswinds, contact us today.

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Area Attractions Blog Family Fun Kyle Texas

Parent’s Night Out: Breweries + Hangout Spots

It’s no surprise that Kyle was named one of the best cities in Hays County to raise a family in 2023. The city has excellent schools and plenty of ways for families to have fun. 

 

As enjoyable as family outings can be, sometimes parents need to cut loose – without the kids. Whether you’re looking for a date night with your spouse or you’re a single parent simply looking to meet new people, Kyle has several spots for a parent’s night out. 

 

The Railhouse – You’d be hard-pressed to find a better local venue that promises good food, cold drinks, and a full live music calendar. The Railhouse reopened in 2021 under new ownership, and since then, it has established itself as one of the city’s most popular entertainment destinations, with something going on 7-nights a week. Many days offer both evening and matinee shows, so even if your babysitter can’t stay late, parents can still enjoy some live tunes. 

 

Centerfield Sports Bar – There are lots of places to watch the big game in Kyle, but if you’re looking for a bar with “TVs in every direction” and an almost never-ending list of draft beers, Centerfield Sports Bar is a top pick. Don’t make the mistake of thinking Certerfield is only a hangout spot for game day, though. The venue has regular karaoke and DJ nights for patrons looking to bust a move on the dance floor. 

 

Wicked Wings – Not only does this local wing joint offer some killer wings with spice levels ranging from mild to “wicked hot,” but the rest of its menu selection is sure to hit the spot for a casual date night. The restaurant offers a full bar and food menu, including pizzas, salads, burgers, and sandwiches. And after you’ve enjoyed some grub, hit the dance floor or step up to the mic for karaoke. 

 

Glenn’s Bar and Grill – This local spot is found on the Plum Creek golf course, but even if you don’t know the difference between a nine iron and a driver, it’s still worth checking out. The restaurant and bar underwent a complete renovation several years ago and has since become one of the best lunch spots in town. It’s also a great spot to hit up after work for a happy hour drink on the patio or on the weekend to enjoy the big game on the bar’s 100” projector. 

 

Aviator Pizza & Drafthouse – Sometimes parents want a night out with the kids that is a bit on the more low-key side. If that’s the case, then chill and casual is just what you’ll find at Aviator Pizza. The restaurant has several locations and offers a wide range of specialty pizzas that are sure to be a hit with any parents out there who can’t remember the last time they had a pizza that didn’t come from Chuck E. Cheese. 

These are just a few of the many great restaurants in Kyle that are worth stopping by for a drink or bite to eat. If you’d like to learn more about Kyle and find a home in the Crosswinds community, contact us today.

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Blog Family Fun Lifestyle Tips

2024 Family Resolutions: Together Towards Tomorrow

It can be easy to look back on the previous year and only see what you should have done. A better way of looking at it, though, is to focus on what you can build upon in the new year. With the holidays in the rearview mirror and 2024 on the horizon, here are a few resolutions your family may want to incorporate in the new year.

 

Set Goals for the New Year

 

We’ve all heard that most New Year’s resolutions fall flat by February, but that’s because of a failure to put clear goalposts to work towards. Rather than making blanket resolutions for your family, such as “spend more time together,” focus on setting goals that demand action, such as “going on a family day trip at least once a month” or “starting a family game night.”

 

Write these new goals down and place them somewhere you’ll see them. This will help to keep your family more accountable in making sure these goals happen. 

 

Prioritize Meal Plans

 

As much fun as it can be to dine out, it’s more expensive than ever. A great way to circumvent this is with meal planning. Gather your clan together and let everyone have some input in deciding what meals you’d like to eat that week. To keep things interesting, try making copycat recipes of your favorite restaurant dishes to see how they compare to the restaurant version. 

 

Another great resolution around mealtime is to prioritize eating together as a family more often. Try to aim for at least one or two family meals a week and keep a rotation of who gets to pick what’s for dinner. 

 

Get the Kids Involved

 

Getting kids to do their chores can feel like a chore in and of itself. If you have more on your plate than you want in 2023, make 2024 the year that all changes. While parents may never be able to convince children that chores are fun, there are some strategies to get the kiddos to help more often:

 

  • Set a time limit for the chores
  • Use an allowance or free activity as leverage
  • Offer chore choices
  • Be firm – let children know that refusing to help out is not an option

 

Get Organized

 

Out with the old and in with the new doesn’t just apply to the calendar year but should really apply to clutter as well. If you’d like your family to be better organized in the new year, first take stock of where those areas of improvement are needed and then take action. 

 

For example, if you want to be better organized when it comes to family scheduling, consider buying a family day planner. If a cluttered garage needs a makeover or a weekly cleaning schedule is needed, then look into new storage solutions or cleaning task assignments for each family member. 

 

Reestablish a School Routine

 

The new year marks the start of a new semester and the chance to trim any loose ends. A few points parents may want to focus on include:

 

  • Help your child identify and adapt a plan for any schoolwork areas they’re struggling in
  • Improve on or reestablish daily homework routines
  • Try a new hobby or extracurricular activity
  • Make a point to celebrate educational or extracurricular wins with your child

If you’d like to find a new home in 2024, reach out to the Crosswinds team to learn more about our available inventory of homes.

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Amenities Blog Family Fun Kyle Texas Lifestyle

Navigating the Neighborhood

Maybe we’re a bit biased, but we strongly believe that Kyle, specifically the Crosswinds community, is the best place to call home in the Texas Hill Country. The city offers convenience to larger metros such as Austin and San Antonio but has a vibrant character all its own. It’s big enough that there’s always something going on, yet small enough that it isn’t tangled up in the hustle and bustle of a big city.

 

If you’re new to the neighborhood, here are a few things to know for navigating your new home turf. 

 

Amenities Overview

 

The Crosswinds master-planned community was designed to offer residents not only exceptional homes but resort-style amenities that appeal to every lifestyle. 

 

Residents can soak up the sun and cool off poolside during the summer months, burn off some energy on the pickleball court, or gather for a cookout at one of the grill/picnic areas. There’s also a dog park for pet owners and an extensive trail system that residents can enjoy for biking or just a leisurely stroll. 

 

Schools

 

Children in the Crosswinds community and Kyle are zoned for Hays CISD. From elementary all the way up through high school, the schools offer an amazing curriculum of educational and extra-curricular activities ranging from sports to music and theater.

 

Located within the Hays CISD for Crosswinds families are:

  • Plfuger Elementary – student/teacher ratio 15:1
  • Chapa Middle School – student/teacher ratio 13:1
  • Lehman High School – student/teacher ratio 16:1

 

Kyle also happens to be near several community and four-year colleges and universities, including: 

  • Austin Community College (ACC) Hays Campus
  • Texas State University
  • UT at Austin
  • St. Edwards University
  • San Antonio College
  • Huston-Tillotson University

 

Access to Austin

 

A major draw for many people moving to Kyle is its close proximity to Austin. Considering that it’s just 21 miles to downtown Austin, 25 miles to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and an hour to San Antonio, Kyle is an ideal spot for those looking for the convenience of a larger city without the busyness of living in one.

 

Kyle at a Glance

 

Kyle may be one of the most popular spots to call home in Austin, but this small Texas city has a long history stretching back to the 19th century. 

 

The area was settled in 1880, but it wasn’t until 1960 that its population cracked 1,000 people. Even then, Kyle was still a pretty sleepy town until the new millennium, when its population really began to grow between 2000 and 2010. 

 

Today, Kyle enjoys a growing economy, affordable cost of living, low crime rate, and plenty of leisure and shopping options. Walking trails like the Plum Creek Trail system offer residents an ideal way to enjoy nature, and the Pie In The Sky Hot Air Balloon Festival draws thousands of people each year. 

It’s this combination of convenience, affordability, and lifestyle that makes Crosswinds such an appealing place to call home. If you’re interested in all that Crosswinds has to offer and want to learn more about moving to Kyle and our available inventory of homes, reach out to us today.

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Area Attractions Blog Family Fun Kyle Texas Tips

Tech-Free Family Time: Unplugged Activities for Quality Bonding

Technology has worked its way into nearly every facet of our lives, from careers to school and entertainment. Too much screen time, however, can lead to a disconnect among family members.

 

Thankfully, regularly unplugging to spend time together can help to strengthen family bonds. Here are a few wi-fi-free ways your family can engage in quality bonding. 

 

Family Game Night

 

Families have been bonding over board games for literally thousands of years. What board games may lack in streaming capability, they can often make up for in challenge and, in some cases, a lot of hilarity. 

 

Board games like Monopoly, Life, Clue, and Trivial Pursuit are always going to be classics, but there are dozens of other board games worth checking out. Ticket to Ride, Hues and Cues, Kids vs. Parents, and Headbanz are all popular board games worth adding to your personal collection. 

 

Give Back

 

Volunteering doesn’t just help the communities we live in; it helps us as individuals learn to be more empathetic and can benefit our mental health. And because children are constantly watching their parents, volunteering as a family sets a positive example.

 

When you take time to volunteer with your kids, you’re showing them firsthand the importance of being a good citizen and helping to mold them into a well-rounded person. From helping out at the animal shelter to sorting groceries at the food bank, there are a number of ways to give back in the Kyle area.  

 

Cook and Eat Meals Together

 

With life seemingly getting busier and busier every year, making time to eat a meal together on a regular basis can be difficult. However, doing so has major benefits in both the short and long term. For starters, it gives family members a chance to reconnect at the end of the day and just talk. In fact, “80% of teenagers say that family dinner is the time of the day they’re most likely to talk to their parents,” according to a Harvard study. 

 

Why not take things a step further? Break out a cookbook and include the entire family in preparing the meal, assigning each family member a task. Research shows that families who regularly eat dinner together are at lower risk of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and teen pregnancy. 

 

Head Outside

 

We’re lucky enough to live in one of the most beautiful areas of the country, and there are nearly endless ways to enjoy it. 

 

Kyle has several parks within a 15-minute drive that are ideal for hiking, tossing the frisbee, or viewing wildlife. And in warmer months, setting out to explore a natural swimming hole is going to beat staying inside and playing video games hands down every time. 

 

Maybe you’re looking for something even more adventurous? Texas Trail Rides offers group horse rides, and the City of Kyle website has a bike map for families looking to keep things on two wheels rather than four legs. 

Even something as simple as taking a family walk around one of the trails within the Crosswinds community can be beneficial. To learn more about Crosswinds, contact us today.

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Blog Family Fun Lifestyle Tips

Tips for Traveling With Pets

If you plan on hitting the road for the fall holiday season – or taking to the skies – and taking your furry friend with you, planning ahead is an absolute must. 

 

Here are a few travel tips to keep in mind when traveling with your pets. 

 

Plan a Packing List

 

Planning out a packing list before any trip isn’t just a good habit for humans, but it applies to pets as well. Set aside a separate bag for all your pet’s essentials so that everything is packed together. 

 

  • Food/water bowl
  • Lesh
  • Treats
  • Toys

 

If your pet is going to be in a crate for the majority of your trip, be sure to include their favorite blanket or even an old t-shirt that smells like you for some extra comfort.

 

Traveling Safety

 

You wouldn’t dare think of taking your children on a car trip without making sure everyone is wearing their seatbelt, and your pet should be no different. There is a range of dog seat belts and harnesses on the market to fit just about every size of pooch. These can make all the difference in keeping your pet safe and comfortable during the trip. 

 

Even when traveling with a pet carrier, you should still take precautions to keep it secure so it doesn’t slide around in the car. This can easily be done by slipping the seat belt through the handle or around the carrier itself. 

 

Prep Your Car

 

Not every pet is exactly enthusiastic about going on a trip. In fact, traveling either by car or plane can often be incredibly stressful for pets. If your pet has a tendency to get car sick or have accidents when stressed, be sure to lay down plenty of towels in your car before pulling out of the driveway. (This will also help keep pet hair off the seats.)

 

While we’re on the subject of travel prep, if you know your pet gets stressed easily, it may be worth speaking with your vet about medication that can help your pet relax on the ride. 

 

Don’t Forget Important Documents

 

When traveling with pets, applying the Boy Scout motto of “always be prepared” is never a bad idea. Be sure to bring along either paper copies or a copy on your phone of any important information regarding your pets, such as vaccinations or medication prescriptions. This will make getting your pet the proper care it needs that much easier in case of an emergency. 

 

Plan Ahead

 

It’s not only smart to plan for the pet essentials that you’ll need to bring with you, but doing some research in regard to other aspects of the trip is a good idea, too. 

 

  • Many airlines have specific travel guidelines for pets, so check before booking. 
  • Some hotels only allow certain breeds, and others are strictly no pets allowed.
  • Make a note of the closest veterinary hospital near you in case of emergency. 

Of course, one of the best parts of traveling – with or without a pet – is coming back to a home you love. Reach out to the Crosswinds team to learn more about our available inventory of homes.

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Blog Education Events Family Fun Tips

School Halloween Parties: Easy Ideas for Busy Parents

Knife-wielding slashers and bloody limbs might be fine for an adult-themed Halloween party, but you’ll want to prioritize fun over scary for kids. Here are a few easy ideas for busy parents that promise to have all the ghouls of your kid’s school howling for more. 

 

Treats You Can Sink Your Teeth Into

 

Food is the highlight of any Halloween party, and the key to knocking it out of the graveyard is to offer treats that balance flavor with fun visual appeal. Sugar is always going to be a hit, but keep in mind kids tend to overload on sugar during the month of October with parties, festivals, and trunk-or-treat events. So be sure to mix in a few less-than-sugary healthy treats as well. 

 

Monster mouth: Slice up some green apples and put a spoonful of peanut butter between two apple slices. Place sunflower seeds or yogurt raisins in the peanut butter to create a healthier alternative to caramel apples.

 

Puffed rice pumpkins: Mix up a batch of marshmallow rice Krispy treats, but add a dash of orange food coloring. Form the mix into balls and finish each one off with a pretzel stem on top. 

Ghost cheese sticks – Break out the black Sharpie marker and draw a ghost face on the wrapper of each cheese stick. Halloween treats really don’t get any easier than this. 

 

Witch finger cookies: Buy some slice ‘n bake sugar cookie mix and add a few drops of green food coloring. Roll the dough into finger shapes and place an almond where the fingernail would be. After baking, put a dab of strawberry jelly on the almond to create a bloody fingernail. 

 

Spooktacular Decorations

 

It doesn’t take a lot to transform your child’s school classroom into a beautiful party space. You might not have much time to set up, so the key here is going to be decorations that are easy to put up and tear down. (Save the elaborate stuff for the neighborhood haunted house contest). 

 

Door decor: A few construction paper ghosts or skulls on the classroom door can serve as a welcoming invitation to the fun that awaits inside. 

 

Paper Streamers: Hang some orange, black, black, and purple streamers around the classroom door to add a festive flair. 

 

Spider balloons: Blow up a few black balloons and cut out strips of black construction paper that you can tape to the balloons for legs. Finish the spiders off with some yellow paper eyes. 

 

Monsterific Games

 

If there’s one thing kids love more than Halloween treats, it’s the games. These party games promise to be a graveyard smash!

 

Mummy race: Divide the class up into groups of two or three and designate one child as the mummy. Give each group a roll of toilet paper to see who can wrap their mummy up the fastest. 

 

Pumpkin bean bag toss: You’ll probably want to opt for a plastic pumpkin to avoid a mess, but have each child take turns tossing a bean bag into the pumpkin as you gradually move it further back after every toss. 

Kyle is a wonderful community for families with plenty of things to do, especially during Halloween. If you’d like to learn more about all this city has to offer and find a home in the Crosswinds master-planned community, reach out to us today.

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Area Attractions Family Fun Lifestyle

Daytrip to New Braunfels

If you’re looking for a day trip that promises plenty to do and is no more than half an hour’s drive, set your sights on New Braunfels. Jump on the I-35 and head south to discover natural wonders, mammoth water slides, and world-class cuisine. 

 

Float the River – If your idea of a perfect summer day involves letting your cares drift away as you float down a river, then be sure to check out Rockin R River Rides. The outfitter offers tube and kayak trips on the Comal and Guadalupe rivers. Tubs and kayaks are provided, as well as drop off and pick up after your float is done. There’s even a bar and food truck on-site for post-float refreshments. 

 

Cool Off on a Wild Slide – If floating down the river is a little too tame or you simply prefer a man-made lazy river float, be sure to check out Schlitterbahn Waterpark. It’s the largest waterpark in Texas and boasts 51 attractions, from relaxing wave pools to heart-pumping near-gravity-defying slides. Day passes start at just $49, and should you need repeat rides on Dragon’s Revenge, season passes are available.

 

Hit Up Downtown – With its many unique shops, quaint cafes, and inventive restaurants, Downtown New Braunfels is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Stop by stores such as Dancing Pony Boutique, Got Toys?, or Arlan’s Market for unique gifts and locally made crafts. After a bit of shopping, pull up a chair at Myron’s Steakhouse, Union Street Station, or one Downtown New Braunfels, among many other restaurants. 

 

Rock Out – A visit to Austin or San Antonio isn’t necessary to catch a great concert. Since 2007, the Whitewater Amphitheater has been welcoming music’s biggest legends and rising new stars. With a capacity of 5,600, the amphitheater has seen everyone from ZZ Top to Eric Church and Midland take the stage. 

 

Mellow Out – Sometimes, a day trip calls not for excitement but sheer bliss and relaxation. If that’s what you’re seeking with a visit to New Braunfels, be sure to book an appointment at Retreat Day Spa. For over 30 years, the spa has been offering facial, body, hair, and nail treatments, all in a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere. 

 

Grab a Drink – There are plenty of breweries and wineries to check out in the Texas Hill Country, and New Braunfels is home to two standouts. Five Stones Brewery offers a range of brews in addition to coffee and food options, as well as special events on select weekends. Be sure to stop by Dry Comal Creek Vineyards as well to sample wines in the tasting room or pick up a bottle to bring home with you. 

 

Explore a Natural Wonder – Natural Bridge Caverns is a New Braunfels highlight that is not to be missed! A tour of the caverns is the ideal way to escape the Texas heat, as the temperature inside the cave is 70 degrees year-round. In addition to cave tours, kids can mine for gems and fossils or scale the Twisted Trails ropes course. There are also special events, such as yoga and concerts, that take place inside the caverns. 

With close proximity to New Braunfels, Austin, and San Antonio, Kyle is central to much of the Texas Hill Country. If you’d like to find a home here, contact the Crosswinds team to learn more about our available inventory of homes.

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Area Attractions Blog Family Fun Kyle Texas Tips

Outdoor Fun in Kyle

From nature trails to geocaching tours and even polo matches, Kyle has plenty of ways to have some outdoor fun. 

 

Lake Kyle – The closest beach to Kyle (and by “beach,” we mean the kind with salt water) is Lighthouse Beach, near Port Lavaca, some 137 miles away. That’s not terrible, but it’s a bit far for an afternoon outing. However, plenty of fun by the water can be had locally on Lake Kyle’s 

shores. 

 

The lake is open from sunrise to sunset for residents and visitors alike to enjoy. This city park has plenty to do, including trails along the water, a playground, a boat ramp, and a pier for catch-and-release fishing. 

 

Steeplechase Dog Park – If you’re a dog owner, there’s a good chance that your puppy is itching to come along with you every time you leave the house. Obviously, that’s not always possible, but when a car ride is doable, there’s no better destination than the dog park at Steeplechase. 

 

The dog park was opened in 2018 and was instantly a hit with Kyle’s four-legged residents. The park includes separate areas for both small and large dogs and a watering station for pups to get a little refreshment. In addition to having plenty of space for dogs to run, there are also volleyball, soccer, and baseball fields for their humans to enjoy. 

 

Waterleaf Park – Located on the eastern side of the city is Waterleaf Park. The local park covers 92 acres, though only around 20 of those acres are currently developed. 

 

Among the park’s developed areas for guests to enjoy are a playscape, ball fields, and a trailhead that runs through the park. 

 

Plum Creek Trail – Lake Kyle, Steeplechase, and Waterleaf share a common thread, as all of these parks are connected by one excellent trail. Named after the creek it runs alongside it, the Plum Creek Trail is currently 7 miles of walkable and bikeable trail that, when finished, will stretch from the eastern part of Kyle to the western section of the city.

 

When finished, the trail will be over 15 miles long, but in the meantime, the popular walkway connects the city to nature in a way that everyone can enjoy. 

 

Geocaching tour – Geocaching is one of the coolest ways to explore a city and involves using your phone or tablet to follow GPS coordinates to track down a geocache container. It’s sorta like a modern version of a treasure hunt, and the Kyle Chamber of Commerce has a geocaching passport where participants can find prizes all over the city.

 

Country Line Polo Club – If you’re looking for some outdoor fun a bit off the beaten path, Kyle’s Country Line Polo Club could be right up your alley. Polo is traditionally associated with British royals but has found its way to Texas, and games happen every Friday night!

 

Watching a match is a lot of fun for adults and kids of all ages, and if your little ones are interested in learning to ride, there are instructors available. 

These are just a few of the incredible ways to enjoy some outdoor fun in Kyle. If you’d like to learn more about this wonderful city and find a home here, contact the Crosswinds team today.

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Blog Family Fun Lifestyle Tips

Making Healthy Foods Fun for Kids

A steaming plate of broccoli can make many kids turn up their noses. It doesn’t matter how much you tell them it’s healthy and it will help them grow up big and strong; some kids would rather starve than try so much as a nibble. 

 

If you’re scrambling to figure out how to get your picky eater to embrace healthy foods, here are a few tips. 

 

Add Visual Appeal 

 

Kids are visual eaters just like adults, and if a new food looks unappetizing, trying it could be an uphill battle. A great way of adding a dose of fun to mealtime is with cookie cutters. Use cookie cutters to transform fruits, veggies, meats, or sandwiches into fun shapes. 

 

You can even combine different foods with cookie cutters to create funny faces. Kids will get a kick out of the “new” foods and may just be more open to trying them. 

 

Incentivize 

 

A little incentive can go a long way toward motivating people; the same goes for kids. Rewarding children with dessert for eating their vegetables can make it feel like you’re canceling out nutrition, so consider alternatives. Maybe your child gets points for every new food they finish at mealtime that can be cashed in for things like 30 minutes of bumped-up bedtime or a trip to the zoo or waterpark. 

 

Roll’em Up

 

It’s a universal truth that kids love food that’s rolled up. Something about rolled food just tastes better to kids, and putting this into action can be a great way of getting more healthy foods on your child’s plate. 

 

Use foods like a cheese slice, tortilla, or seaweed wrap as the vehicle for other healthy foods such as fruits, veggies, or meats. 

 

Embrace the Smoothie

 

Being a good parent is about doing what’s best for your children – even if, at times, it requires being a bit sneaky. Busting out the blender and making a fruity yogurt smoothie while slipping in some green veggies like spinach or kale is an excellent way of incorporating healthy foods into your child’s diet. 

 

If your child raises an eyebrow at the green color of their regular bright red strawberry smoothie, just tell them it’s Hulk juice. You won’t technically be lying, as leafy greens can help promote the growth of strong muscles. 

 

Get Your Kids Involved 

 

Children are often more enthusiastic about trying something if they get to have a hand in the process. Bringing your child into the kitchen to help prepare lunch or dinner gives them a sense of empowerment. Younger children may like stirring or adding ingredients, while older kids may be up for the task of chopping fruits and veggies. A hands-on approach can have a big impact on helping kids to be a bit more open-minded when it comes to eating new foods. 

 

If the first method isn’t a surefire success, try a combination of these tips and, above all else, be patient and stick with it. Before you know it, your kids may just be suggesting healthy recipes of their own to try out in the kitchen. 

 

Crosswinds residents love preparing meals in the modern and stylish kitchens of the homes in this master-planned community. To learn more about available homes, contact us today. 

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