Permission to Play! 20 Whimsical Recipes ~ fun recipes for creative cooks that will charm kids of all ages.

You couldn’t get away with any hanky panky at our dinner table when I was a kid. If you tried to doodle in your mashed potatoes, braid your fettuccine, or squish peas with your fork till their innards popped out, you’d get shut down instantly. That’s probably why I’m so charmed by these fun examples of whimsical food play, from the sublime to the ridiculous, collected from around the www. I think even my dad would have to admit they’re pretty cool. So go ahead, blow bubbles in your milk, I won’t tell 😉

FOOD ART by Karl Kleiner (via TheDesignerPad)

PANDA WITH BAMBOO by Meet the Dubiens

DIY “ORIGAMI” WAFER COOKIES from Fête Gazette

MONSTER SMOOTHIE BOWLS from Fork & Beans

ENGLISH MUFFIN MONKEY from Funny Food

SILLY APPLE BITES from Fork & Beans

LEOPARD MILK BREAD from Coco e Baunilha

SPRINGING TO LIFE from Ida Frosk

THREADED SPAGHETTI HOT DOG BITES from Belly Full

EDIBLE TULIPS from Whole Life Cooking

ANIMALS IN TEACUPS from Bento Monsters

RAINBOW PASTA from Gimme Some Oven

CHEESECAKE FILLED CHOCOLATE EASTER EGGS from Raspberri Cupcakes

FRIDA KAHLO from Lee Samantha

MONDRIAN CAKE from The Salt

TOTORO BLACK SESAME SEED SHORTBREAD from Hungry Girl por Vida

SAUSAGE-STUFFED PIGLET BUNS from Girl Versus Dough

ELMO CUPCAKES from I am Baker

BANANA SUSHI from Fit Foodie Finds

SILLY BREAKFAST TOAST FACES from Fork & Beans
So you see, kiddos aren’t the only ones playing with their food. 😉 Hopefully this post has inspired you to find humor and creativity on your plate!

This recipe round-up was curated by The View from Great Island contributor Hayley Putnam. Follow her on Pinterest and Instagram.

















Yes–her dad does say that they’re pretty cool!
Thanks Dad 🙂
What super-cute food ideas!
Who could resist one of those cute Elmo cupcakes?! And I love the origami wafers and leopard bread, so fun!
This post made me smile! So much fun – thank you for sharing :))
That’s what I was hoping to do, thanks Bita!
What an adorable post! Love those little tea cups critters 🙂 banana sushi and the cupcakes – brilliant! Thanks for the smiles!
What a super fun post! Brightened my day 🙂
What a fun, funny collection. I love them all, so colorful and cheerful!
OMG! These are so fun and creative!! Thanks for posting.
Frida?
And the Bento Monsters..all are very very cute..but if those were placed in front of me..I would ask for take out and bring them home to keep:)
I ordered the Lego mold..too big:( I was too quick..will have to think of other things too:)
My 4 year old has been scrolling back and forth through this post on my ipad — I think I have to make him one of these cute breakfasts!
That’s so funny — I’ve created a pre-school app!