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Make a vegetable dish

Make a vegetable dish
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Make a colorful vegetable salad by chopping tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers with adult help, mixing a simple dressing, and arranging it to serve.

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Step-by-step guide to make a colorful vegetable salad

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kids making easy salad/ideas to make kids eat healthy food/simple healthy best salad recipe/veg

What you need
Adult supervision required, bell pepper, cucumber, cutting board, kitchen knife for adult use, lemon or vinegar, mixing bowl, olive oil, salad greens, salt and pepper, spoon, tomatoes

Step 1

Wash your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds.

Step 2

Rinse the tomatoes cucumber bell pepper and salad greens under cold running water.

Step 3

Place the cutting board and mixing bowl on the counter where you will make the salad.

Step 4

Ask an adult to cut the tomatoes into bite-sized pieces.

Step 5

Ask an adult to slice or cube the cucumber into small pieces.

Step 6

Ask an adult to remove the bell pepper core and chop the pepper into small pieces.

Step 7

Put all the chopped vegetables and the salad greens into the mixing bowl.

Step 8

Measure and pour about two tablespoons of olive oil into a small cup or bowl.

Step 9

Add about one tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to the cup with the olive oil.

Step 10

Add a small pinch of salt and a little pepper to the cup to season the dressing.

Step 11

Stir the dressing in the cup with the spoon until it looks well mixed.

Step 12

Pour the mixed dressing over the vegetables in the mixing bowl.

Step 13

Toss the salad gently with the spoon until the vegetables are coated with dressing.

Step 14

Arrange the salad neatly on a serving plate or in a bowl.

Step 15

Share a photo or description of your finished colorful vegetable salad on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can we use if we don't have olive oil or lemon juice?

If you don't have olive oil, use two tablespoons of any mild cooking oil (like canola or sunflower), and if you lack the lemon juice or vinegar from the step that says "Add about one tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar", substitute a tablespoon of plain yogurt or a squeeze of orange juice for similar tang.

The dressing keeps separating and doesn't coat the salad — what should we do?

If the oil and lemon/vinegar separate and the dressing won't coat the vegetables, stir the dressing again in the small cup (step where you "Stir the dressing in the cup") and slowly drizzle it over the vegetables while tossing the salad in the mixing bowl (step where you "Toss the salad gently") to help it emulsify and coat evenly.

How can I adapt the activity for different ages?

For toddlers (2–4), focus on washing hands, rinsing vegetables, adding pre-chopped pieces and stirring the pre-made dressing (steps like "Wash your hands", "Rinse the tomatoes..." and "Stir the dressing"), preschoolers (5–8) can measure and pour the oil and help toss with supervision, and kids 9+ can be taught to do the cutting steps (ask an adult to cut/slice/chop in steps that involve the knife) with an adult present.

How can we make the salad more fun or special?

To enhance the arranged salad on the serving plate (step to "Arrange the salad neatly"), let the child sprinkle chopped herbs, crumbled cheese, or toasted seeds, create a colorful pattern with the vegetables, and then take the photo to share on DIY.org as suggested.

Watch videos on how to make a colorful vegetable salad

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Make the Perfect Vegetable salad in 10mins with just 3 ingredients!

4 Videos

Facts about cooking and kitchen safety for kids

🧂 A simple dressing is just oil + acid (vinegar or lemon) + a pinch of salt — whisking makes it creamy!

🌶️ Bell peppers change color as they ripen: green → yellow/orange → red, and red ones taste the sweetest.

🥒 Cucumbers are about 95% water, so they help keep you hydrated on warm days.

🥗 Eating a colorful salad gives you a mix of vitamins and fiber — try to 'eat the rainbow'!

🍅 Tomatoes are technically fruits (they grow from a flower) but cooks usually call them vegetables.

How do I make a colorful vegetable salad with my child?

Start by washing tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers together. With adult help, have the child learn to chop or use a kid-safe knife while the adult handles any tricky cuts. Toss the chopped vegetables in a bowl, whisk a simple dressing of olive oil, lemon juice or vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper, then pour and mix. Let the child arrange the salad on a plate and add a sprinkle of herbs before serving.

What materials and ingredients are needed for this vegetable salad activity?

You’ll need tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers plus olive oil, lemon or vinegar, salt, and pepper. For tools, use a cutting board, an adult knife, a kid-safe knife or vegetable cutter, mixing bowl, small bowl or jar for dressing, spoons, and plates. Also have a towel, produce brush, and wipes for cleanup. Always include close adult supervision and optional extras like herbs, cheese, or seeds for variety.

What ages is this vegetable chopping and salad-making activity suitable for?

Suitable tasks by age: 2–4 years can wash, tear greens, and stir dressing; 4–6 years can scoop, steady vegetables, and use a dull or kid-safe knife with supervision; 6–9 years can practice guided chopping with an adult nearby; 9+ can take more responsibility but still benefit from supervision and safety reminders. Adjust tasks to each child’s skill and always supervise any cutting or choking-risk steps.

What safety tips and benefits does this salad activity offer?

This activity builds fine motor skills, healthy-eating habits, and confidence while teaching kitchen safety. Keep safety by washing produce, using a stable cutting board, choosing age-appropriate knives, and always supervising chopping. Cut pieces to appropriate sizes to avoid choking and check for allergies. Teach handwashing and clean-up routines. The activity is a good chance to talk about colors, tastes, and nutrition while practicing following simple recipes together.
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Make a vegetable dish. Activities for Kids.