Make grocery shopping fun for your kid

Does your child run in the opposite direction every time you tell him/her to accompany you for grocery shopping? Here’s how you can make it a fun experience for your kid.

Choose a right time:

Choose a shopping time when your kid will be well rested, fed and you will not be pressed for time. A tired and hungry child is much more difficult to work with.

Make a shopping list:

Take help of your kid in making a shopping list beforehand. It can save time and help keep you on task, so you don’t forget a major item, and then have to go back again.

Make a shopping list for your child too:

If your kid is younger than five years, you could ask him/her to draw a picture list of fruits or veggies that he/she would like to eat. Once you buy these items, ask your kid to tick them off the list.

Lay expected behaviour rules:

You don’t want your kid to throw a tantrum in the middle of the store. As a gentle reminder, tell your child which store you are going to and that you will be buying the groceries. Also, remind them about any potential rewards, such as making a special lunch afterwards.

Make it educational:

Apart from making it fun, you can also make grocery shopping an educational experience. The grocery store is a real-world situation in which reading, math, problem-solving, etc can be easily taught. Ask your kid to count the fruits and vegetables or identify their colours.

Appreciate their help:

At the end of the shopping trip, thank your children for their help.