And, unfortunately, the easiest things to fix are often the biggest turn off to them. However, if you apply a few rules to food preparation for children, a compromise can be reached.
Kids are picky about textures.
They might play with it, but the can be downright suspicious of things with unusual textures. Kids don't like a whole LOT of different flavors in a single dish. If you have one overriding flavor that is set off by others, that works, but a confluence of sharp, mild, tangy, salty, sweet, hot and lord knows what else is a little overwhelming for them. Kids like sweet things that are uncomplicated - fruit, chocolate, simple flavors. Kids like most things you can put catsup on.