Parents Identify Key Challenges During Dinnertime Engagement

A recent survey has highlighted significant challenges faced by parents during dinnertime, revealing that 61% regard mealtimes as one of the few opportunities to engage their children without distractions. Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of HP, the survey involved 2,000 American parents with children in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Among the top hurdles identified were managing picky eaters, encouraging children to sit at the table, and the inevitable cleanup after meals. Despite the intent to foster meaningful connections, 41% of parents expressed dissatisfaction with the level of conversation at mealtimes, stating they did not talk as much as they wished. This underscores a broader sentiment, with 77% acknowledging dinnertime as a valuable learning opportunity and 87% believing that small moments at the table can positively influence their child’s long-term development.

A notable finding from the survey indicated that only 22% of parents struggle to make time for family dinners. Nevertheless, 38% felt pressure to create meaningful mealtime experiences, while 24% admitted they often plan educational activities but fail to implement them.

Dr. Elizabeth Bonawitz, an associate professor of Learning Sciences at Harvard University, collaborated with HP to develop resources aimed at making mealtime more interactive. She noted, “Parents are juggling so much. But kids don’t always need hands-on activities to learn and be engaged. Light conversations, especially those built around thought experiments and generating explanations, can spark curiosity, creativity, and real understanding. It doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful.”

Many parents suggested that allowing children to participate in meal preparation could enhance engagement. Specifically, 35% favored letting their children help choose the meal, while 37% preferred involving them in cooking. Other methods to increase interaction included incorporating storytelling or playful moments (29%) and utilizing conversation prompts to stimulate curiosity (21%).

More than half of the respondents indicated they would welcome printed activities featuring games, “what if” questions, or personal memory challenges during dinner. Dr. Bonawitz emphasized the importance of mealtimes as an opportunity for connection. She stated, “They offer a natural setting for children to ask questions, share experiences, and engage in meaningful conversations. These everyday interactions are foundational for building trust, curiosity, rapport, and supporting broader cognitive development.”

The survey also listed the top ten obstacles parents encounter during mealtime:
1. Cleaning up the mess afterward (35%)
2. Dealing with picky eating or food complaints (33%)
3. Getting children to sit still and eat (24%)
4. Managing different schedules and routines (22%)
5. Getting everyone to the table at the same time (21%)
6. Trying to cook while managing homework and chaos (18%)
7. Keeping screens away without a meltdown (17%)
8. Finding the energy to make it happen (17%)
9. Engaging beyond “fine” and “I don’t know” (11%)
10. Feeling the pressure to make it meaningful or educational (7%)

The survey was conducted online from May 29 to June 5, 2025, and it reflects the complexities of maintaining family connections during mealtimes. As parents navigate these challenges, simple strategies and resources can transform dinner into a moment of connection and discovery.