Dinosaur Time Is the Latest Hack for Getting Kids to Eat Their Veggies

Some parenting struggles have stood the test of time—even dating back to the dinosaur age, some might say—and chief among them is getting kids to eat their veggies. Even if you did your best to expand your child’s palette when they first started solids, don’t be surprised if three-nager is suddenly repulsed by anything green. In times like these, it can be helpful to have a few clever tricks up your sleeve. The latest hack taking TikTok by storm—’Dinosaur Time’.

Created by millennial stay-at-home mom @sahmthingsup, Dinosaur Time started as a quick, playful way for her to eat more greens. In the viral video that launched the trend, she explains that she wanted an easy way to boost her veggie intake as a self-proclaimed “lazy girl.” The concept? Shovel big handfuls of greens into your mouth using your hands—just like a dinosaur. As Jurassic Park plays in the background, she laughs while enthusiastically chomping down on lettuce, spinach, and other greens.

While the approach may be a little unconventional, its novelty and fun factor make it clear that this isn’t just for adults looking to sneak in more greens before meals—it’s also perfect for little ones. With a simple reframing of mealtime, kids get the chance to “go a little crazy” and channel their favorite prehistoric creatures. Parents should keep in mind that taking large handfuls of food can be a choking hazard, so encouraging smaller “dinosaur bites” is key. But with that in mind, it’s game on! Since the original video, parents everywhere have joined the trend, with mixed but often hilarious results.

“If you’ve also been influenced by #dinosaurtime I’m here to tell you it works with kids,” wrote one parent over a video as her child chomped down on a leaf of romaine in the background. “Shout out to @sahmthingsup for showing me a way to get Oliver to willingly eat an unmasked veggie!” added another mom added as her son snacked on spinach. “This is the only way I eat my greens now. And my 9yo who hates veggies is chowing down with me,” wrote one commenter.

Of course, not every attempt has been a roaring success. In one video, a mom excitedly joins in the trend with her tween—only to realize midway through that while the dinosaur roars are there, the spinach consumption is not. In another, a family of four takes on the challenge, with two kids cruising through their greens while the other two do their best to stomach a few bites.

While Dinosaur Time may not work for every kid, it’s a fun, pressure-free way to make veggies more exciting. And at the very least, it’s proof that sometimes, a little creativity and a dino-sized imagination can go a long way at the dinner table. If your child is a little less of a dinosaur fan and more of an Elsa stan, check out this healthy food hack that taps into their favorite animated characters.