Fun fruit for toddlers inspired by Robinson Crusoe

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I’m really looking forward to the new Robinson Crusoe DVD which is being released this Monday (26th September). It brings back so many memories from childhood, perhaps muddling in a few images of Tom Hanks in Castaway. As I’m sure you know, Robinson Crusoe is a castaway stuck on a desert island. But what this plot cleverly incorporates is the addition of the characters eating fruit throughout. Well, what else would they eat on a desert island?! I love that this well thought out plot will inspire millions of children to eat fruit without them completely realising it.

 

To celebrate the release of the film and to inspire others around this fruity plot, I’ve been challenged to share some of my favourite fruity ideas and recipes. Of course I jumped at the chance to inspire healthy eating, which many of you know I’m passionate about. ?It’s also the perfect excuse to get a bit creative with fruit…
Now, I’ll start straight off by telling you how H loves fruit. From strawberries to blueberries, and pears to satsuma, she’ll eat it all. I know some of you reading may not have toddlers who share that same love, and hopefully by getting creative, they might not notice which fruits they’re eating quite as much. Well it’s at least worth a try isn’t it?

Anyway, I’ll stop blabbering and show you how I got inventive with fruit art. Let’s face it who wouldn’t want to eat a fruity palm tree, a smiley face or a boat.

 

I wanted this to be something we can all try, so I’ve used fruits we all buy regularly and usually have sat in the fruit bowl:

• satsumas
• pears
• apples
• bananas
• strawberries

Preparation

• Firstly, make sure you chop up your apple and banana into thin segments,
• Hull and chop strawberries in two or four,
• Cut your pear across so you get circles of pear
• And, peel and separate your satsuma segments

 

Fruit art

Get creative, create pinwheels by stacking and arranging the apple. I think it looks better with more segments than less, when making a palm tree (see, I’m inspired by Robinson Crusoe’s dessert island… and thoughts of holidays!)

 

 

Use your pear circles to make a sun. I really recommend stacking your fruit, so that little one’s have more to eat. You don’t want them just having one pear slice to eat do you? So, stack and make some?3D food art!

 

I couldn’t undertake this challenge without throwing in a few smiley faces.?My daughter loves these as she loves pointing out her toy’s mouths, eyes, nose to us… and in typical toddler style poking our eyes too. So, get a minute’s rest, and save your eyes… and make some smiley faces!

 

You don’t even need lots of fruit to try this out, just one satsuma will make this face…

 

Then of course there is the good old fail safe… little one’s initial made from fruit!

 

I also made a number ‘2’ out of fruit, which H LOVED, it’s her favourite number. She ate it so fast, while proclaiming “2, 2, 2, ” that I forgot to take a photo. I will recreate it, I promise!! But it’s definitely worth a try if your little one is around the same age (H is currently 21 months), and starting to recognise numbers.

 

What do you think?

 

Check out my next post on Wednesday for some fruit pouch recipe inspiration… make your own instead of using shop bought pouches!

 

Will you be buying or renting the DVD? We’re really looking forward to it and will also be taking it on holiday wi us in October. I also hope H enjoys watching the film in the future, I know hubby and I will be watching it next week complete with popcorn and a glass of wine.

 

Lynne x
Disclaimer: I was asked to write a fruity inspired post to celebrate the launch of the Robinson Crusoe DVD and have received some Robinson Crusoe goodies for doing so.?