Making Veggie Necklaces is an easy way to pass the time for kids while Mom is getting dinner ready.  It is super simple and a sneaky way to get kids to have fun and eat veggies!

What you’ll need:
-Plastic Sewing Needles (these can be found in packs of 2 for $1.99 at Michaels in the yarn/sewing area).
-Food Twine (this can be found at most specialty cooking stores and also try your local hardware’s housewares/kitchen section).  Can’t find twine? Use unflavored dental floss.
-Assorted Veggies
-Something to arrange the necklaces on while you are working (I used my pasta dryer to hang them).

Watch the February 8, 2013 Twin Cities Live segment when I made this recipe 

Click here for the Spaghetti Spider recipe I made that day too.

Directions:
Thread a needle with the twine and tie several knots on the bottom so veggies won’t come off. Set up the veggies and let your child explore and decide what they would like to string on.

You’ll be surprised to see that they figure out their own system and how they like to do it.  Stella said to me at one point, “Mom, I’m making a pattern!”

I used a bunch of frozen veggies and some that were available fresh like snow peas and tomatoes.  Here are some veggies we liked using: brussel sprouts, tomatoes, snow peas, asparagus, cut up pieces of pepper.  The pieces of corn and edamame kind of fell apart but she was able to skewer a few of them.

Let kids decide what to serve with the necklaces (they aren’t actually going to wear them).  Offer hummus, dressing, etc.  This is a fun item to pack in cold lunches or bring to a picnic.  I also think this is a good activity for while you are waiting for your food at a restaurant.  Just pack your own supplies and veggies.

We may have broken the “don’t play with your food rule” but it is a great way to have fun and get your kids to try new veggies!