Fall is the perfect time to stir up steaming bowls of homemade soup as an antidote to the cold. Filled with flavor, healthier than their sodium-heavy canned soups, and more natural without preservatives and MSG. Soup is easy to prepare in bulk and refrigerate for last minute meals and stretch the family budget, a varied roster of soup, stews and chili can be an invaluable weapon in any parent’s winter kitchen arsenal. Some children might not take to soup initially but using some of these tips will get your picky eater a soup lover.

1. Make it a Family Activity

Homemade soups usually require some preparation. This can be made fun by having the whole family participate in preparing vegetables and additions, measuring ingredients and stirring the soup. Many great family memories can be made in the kitchen making delicious soup for dinner when its cold outside.

2. Kids Respond to Smell and Color

When it comes to new foods, they respond to lots of the same seductive qualities that grown-ups do such as color, texture, and of course the smell of freshly prepared food.

3. Use Bread or Crackers for Dipping

Always serve bread or crackers with soup to make it a more fun eating experience. The action of dipping bread or breaking crackers makes eating soup an more unique activity. Try different types of bread such as cornbread so your children get to taste a variety of textures.

4. Immersion Blenders Work Magic

You can combine different fresh vegetables blended together that your children might not normally eat. Marialisa Calta, food columnist and author of the family cookbook, Barbarians at the Plate, says “kids will tend to accept vegetables — like broccoli, peas or even onions — mixed together in soup in a way they might shy away from if those same veggies were just sitting on their plate.”

5. Learn the Classics But Don’t be Afraid to Experiment

There’s no question that chicken soup is a kid favorite, but you shouldn’t be afraid to try new things. Use different variations or experiment from a cookbook or your own ethnic base. You could make a different version every once in awhile to keep it interesting. Try different soups based on what type of meats and vegetables your family enjoys.

Lastly, kids tend to be more sensitive to heat than adults so so serve your child’s soup slightly cooler than you might prefer. A quick fix: stir in a small, single ice cube to lower the temperature of a hot soup.