18 Brilliant Snack Hacks and Mealtime Tips I Learned From Parents on TikTok

TikTok may have started with viral dance crazes and lip syncing, but the social media app is now full of smart tips and tricks, like these awesome organizing hacks from teachers and this trick to un-shrink clothes. There’s also a wealth of resources on the app to help get your family fed. Both experts and regular ol’ parents like you and me share snack hacks and dinner wins to help everyone approach the family table with more enjoyment and confidence.

Ready for some great ideas? Here are my 18 favorite family-friendly food tip TikTok videos. (Say that ten times fast!)

Banana pieces can be tricky for little fingers to pick up. You can roll them in crushed Cheerios, but I love this little banana pop trick.

This is a good one to remember for hot summers! And even when it’s not, kids love frozen treats. This ten-minute slushie trick would be fun with 100% juice. 

My mother made this for us all the time as kids, but she just rolled it up in a regular old tube. And I make it for my kids now too. (I like whole wheat tortillas for a little extra fiber.) But I’ve never rolled it up like a rose. The tiniest bit of extra work for this cute presentation!

Sweet and summery! Perfect for all ages.

Over the door shoe organizers are helpful for so much more than your sneakers. Add one to the back of your pantry door to give your littles easy access to their favorite snacks. The top half is perfect for storing water bottles and sippy cups!

This is 100% what the snack shelf looks like in my pantry. My kids are constantly opening new bags before finishing what they’ve already opened.

I always clean out the bib and reoffer what fell in there, but never thought to serve it up just like that?!

Ok, but what if all your kids want to eat is snacks and skip dinner? This mom flipped their dinner schedule to better accommodate her family’s appetite. 

You’re finally all sitting down to eat the meal you spent a not significant amount of time and energy to prepare. How do you avoid spending the same amount of time and energy convincing your kids to eat it? 

Many food experts and nutritionists are fans of Registered Dietitian Ellyn Satter’s “division of responsibility.” Basically, your job is to decide when and what’s for dinner, it’s your kids’ job to decide what they want to eat. Everyone taking responsibility for their roles at the table removes pressure from both parents and kids. Stick to one family meal.

Kids are actually really good at regulating themselves, and it will eventually all even out over time. Don’t just look at one meal or one day! 

Try a deconstructed approach, and ramp up to a more integrated meal.

Don’t attach morality to foods and honor your children’s appetite.

You don’t have to praise your kids for eating their meal.

While I definitely did not have my kids cooking with me like this at 17 months, this mom’s approach to getting her toddler comfortable around food prep offers good tips no matter what age your kids are.

These knives are popular with Montessori learning, and they are the perfect tool to get your kids cooking safely.

Keep it fun with preschoolers with mixing, pouring, and other simple activities. Once kids hit kindergarten, they’re ready for a little bit more advanced steps, like measuring and peeling.

I’ve been writing about cooking with kids for years. But this TikTok duet shifted my entire perspective. Teaching my kids (my son especially) the value of cooking is not just beneficial for themselves, but sets them up to contribute meaningfully in future partnerships.

This post has been updated from its original publication in June 2021.