Kids will enjoy making this twist on a classic grilled cheese sandwich! It’s a Turkey Sandwich without the turkey… but how can that be?!
Using a knife to make 3 simple cuts transforms your plain sandwich into a silly turkey that will be gobbled up in no time!
Plus, it’s a clever way to get in a balanced meal of grains, dairy and veggies. I made a ham and grilled cheese in this example. You can always sub out the ingredients if your child has food allergies or make a completely different type of sandwich. Make it your own! This is an easy lunch prep idea that older children can help with.
Feeding Therapy Ideas
When it comes to feeding therapy, one of the first concepts of helping kids break out of restrictive food choices is to change the shape of the preferred food.
By enlisting kids help to assemble the turkey they will also be interacting with each of the ingredients.
OT Pro Tip
- Take a more scientific approach and talk with your child about the different shapes, colors, smells and textures of the ingredients.
- Do the different colored peppers taste different or the same?
- What do you like better, the crunchy cracker texture or the soft sandwich texture?
- Do you like hot sandwiches or cold sandwiches?
- Talking about preferences and learning about the different characteristics of food gives kids a sense of control and also exposes them to interact with different or non-preferred foods in a fun way.
Positive associations around eating are an essential part of feeding therapy. Taking a "scientific" or even a silly approach during feeding therapy can help take the pressure off kids who feel anxious with the introduction of new foods or textures. A fun, sensory based and strengths based approach allows kids to associate a more positive experience around food which is considered a feeding therapy WIN.
Ingredients
- Whole wheat bread
- Butter
- Cheddar cheese slices
- Mini bell peppers or baby carrots
- 1 round wheat cracker
- 2 sliced olives
- Optional: lunch meat
Directions
- Make your sandwich.
- Cut into a triangle shape.
- Cut the 2 smaller triangles in half for the wings.
- Make the face: Use 2 black olives for the eyes, a triangle slice of cheese for the beak and a small piece of red pepper for the gobbler.
- Cut the bell peppers and arrange into a feather pattern.
Enjoy!
STEP 1: Cut the sandwich.
STEP 2: Build your turkey! YUM!
