Picky eaters on your hands?

Just like adults, many kids have strong opinions when it comes to food. Some may call it being a "picky eater," but in reality, these are completely natural preferences that tend to come and go as little ones' tastebuds develop. Think back to when you were a child: are there any foods you turned your nose up at then but enjoy now? As with any ingredient that you introduce to your child, eggs can go either way. Some kids love them, some kids avoid them, and others downright refuse them. But for those who are on the fence or not quite convinced yet, approaching eggs in a new, exciting way can make all the difference. And even for the little ones who do like eggs, adding a special touch to a lunchbox is totally worth the extra big smiles it'll bring their faces. Here are three ways to serve eggs in a fun way with minimal effort:

1. Draw on hard-boiled eggs with edible pens

Edible pens and markers are typically available in the baking aisle at grocery stores and craft supply stores, and they can be an inexpensive way to transform something as simple as hard-boiled eggs into a healthy, filling snack that little ones will be excited to eat. Before packing school lunch, use an edible pen or marker to draw faces or sweet notes on unpeeled hard-boiled eggs. If making lunch at home, let the kids join in and transform hard-boiled eggs into characters! Along with using the markers on their own, encouraging young children to peel hard-boiled eggs all by themselves is a great way for them to practice fine motor skills.

2. Use egg rings to make heart-shaped sunny-side up eggs

Cooking with egg rings is a fun, easy method for serving eggs to kids in a novel way. These days, there are countless egg ring shapes available online and in the cookware aisle at grocery stores, from heart-shaped to your little one's favorite movie character! Egg rings are similar to cookie cutters, but the eggs are cooked right inside the outline. To use any egg ring, place it on a nonstick pan and spray with cooking oil. Turn heat to medium, then crack an egg into the ring and carefully move the yolk to the center using a rubber spatula. Let cook until the egg white is set and the yolk is done to your child's liking.

3. Shape hard-boiled eggs using egg molds

Commonly found in kids' bento boxes or themed lunches, shaped hard-boiled eggs are as cute as can be yet couldn't be easier to make. Online, you'll find a plethora of shape options from adorable little animals to hearts and stars. To use egg molds, you'll first need to make a few hard-boiled eggs. An important tip: to ensure that the eggs take on the shape of the mold properly, peel the eggs when they're just cool enough to handle but still fairly hot on the inside. Place a peeled egg into a mold, then place the mold into a bowl of cold water. Let sit for 5 minutes before removing the egg from the mold.