Convincing children to eat their veggies can be challenging, so Chicago-based registered dietitian Jodie Shield encourages parents to get creative. 

Tell your kids to play with their food, urges Shield, coauthor of The American Dietetic Association Guide to Healthy Eating for Kids. 

You can combine snack time with playtime by creating veggie critters as afterschool treats. 

Here’s what you’ll need to make an organic Cauliflower Caterpillar:

1 packet ranch dressing mix
2 tubs (8 oz. each) reduced-fat cream cheese
1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
1 unpeeled cucumber, sliced thinly
1 carrot, shredded
Asparagus tips
Red bell pepper, cut into small, triangular pieces

1. Add the dressing mix to the cream cheese. Stir until well combined to create “glue.”
2. Create the caterpillar’s body by placing 3 cauliflower florets on a plate and gluing cucumber slices between them .
3. Attach shredded carrots for legs and asparagus for antennae.
4. Glue pepper triangles to caterpillar’s head to create eyes.
5. Use remaining “glue” for dipping, and store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Photo courtesy of Hidden Valley