Vegetables are the backbone of a healthy diet, but when it comes to getting kids to eat them, things can get a little tricky. One veggie, in particular, seems to be universally disliked by kids: broccoli.

However, there are ways to encourage your kids to give broccoli a try and maybe even learn to love it! Here are ten ways to make sure your kids get the nutrients they need and appreciate the unique flavor of broccoli.

1. Involve them in the cooking process

Kids are more likely to be interested in something they helped create. Involve your little ones in the cooking process by letting them help you wash and chop broccoli.

They can also add the broccoli to the pot, stir it, and even season it with their favorite herbs and spices.

2. Make it fun

Broccoli is often viewed as a boring vegetable by kids, so it’s important to make it fun! Try cutting the broccoli into small trees and letting your kids enjoy “forest snacks.” You can also make faces or animals with the broccoli on their plate and challenge your child to eat them all before dinner is over.

3. Pair it with a food they love

If your child loves ranch dressing or cheese, try dipping the broccoli in it. This can make broccoli more appealing to the taste buds and make kids more willing to give it a try.

You can also add broccoli to their favorite meals like mac and cheese, stir-fry, or spaghetti.

4. Sweeten the deal

Broccoli can have a slightly bitter taste, so sweetening it up can make it less intimidating for kids. Try roasting broccoli with a little bit of honey or maple syrup.

The sweetness will help cover up the slightly bitter taste and make it more palatable for kids.

5. Get Creative with Presentation

The way food is presented can have a big impact on how kids feel about it. Consider cutting the broccoli into bite-sized pieces and adding it to a colorful salad or using it as a topping for pizza.

You can also add it to omelets or mix it into smoothies for a hidden veggie boost.

6. Make it a game

Create a game around eating broccoli by setting up a challenge with your kids. You can count how many bites your child takes or challenge them to eat all of their broccoli in under five minutes.

A sense of competition can make kids more willing to try new foods!.

7. Start small

Don’t force your child to eat a big serving of broccoli if they are hesitant. Start small by adding a few florets to their plate or mixing it in with other veggies until they get used to the taste.

Over time, you can gradually increase the serving size and make broccoli a regular part of their diet.

8. Serve it differently

If your child doesn’t like steamed broccoli, try serving it in a different way. Roasting the broccoli in the oven until crispy can give it a unique texture and flavor.

You can also sauté it with garlic and butter or grill it on a skewer with other veggies for a tasty side dish.

9. Lead by example

One of the best ways to get your kids to love broccoli is by setting a good example. If your child sees you enjoying broccoli as part of your meals, it’s more likely they will be willing to try it too.

Make broccoli a regular part of your meals and share how much you enjoy it to encourage your kids to give it a chance.

10. Make it a family event

Make broccoli fun by making it a family event! Plant a broccoli garden together or take a trip to your local farmer’s market to pick out fresh broccoli.

When everyone in the family is involved, kids are more likely to get excited about trying something new.