Ideas for expanding kids' food horizons...

[MerryMarigold]

I have 1 picky eater, 1 good eater and 1 ridiculously picky eater. I realise I have accommodated the ridiculously picky eater for so long now that it has restricted all of us. Plus he is now refusing his 'favourites' anyway (probably got sick of them tbh). Time for a new approach.

Yesterday we started a system whereby they get to pick 1 meal a week - the main, veg, pudding. They spent a long time planning their puddings! (We don't usually have it, but we will on these 3 meals). I have said we all have to eat some of each other's choices. I have 1 lamb curry, 1 chicken curry and 1 fish fingers (you can guess who that was!).The other 4 days I will try and cook some of what ds1 knows plus 1 new dish a week.

Any other ideas you've done for getting them to eat new things?

Go out. My formerly picky DS was always far more adventurous when outside the home either having tea at friends' houses or in buffet-style restaurants where there is an interesting choice on offer.

We often order 4 different dishes from a menu and then move the plates around the table. We ask them to have a taste of each. The non fussy eater tastes things first and then he encourages the fussy one. We have had success with the most unlikely dishes..tastebuds change over time, so don't be afraid to try something that didn't work a few years ago.
I agree getting them to chose and/or cook food will help to get them more interested, removes the fear. We also find watching Masterchef helps too!

Buffet may be an option - good idea. He can choose, which would be good. Although the sheer quantities and smell may work against. It is worth a try - we have never done it. Sadly, he doesn't eat at friend's place either.

Ah Masterchef, brill! We all enjoyed Bake-off. I did get them all to like courgette muffins (told them the ingredients after). They do some cooking, but perhaps they could each cook 'their' meal as an addition to choosing the menu.