Easy Kid Friendly Dinner Ideas
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Whether you’re dealing with picky eaters, busy schedules, or just looking for creative meal ideas, having a list of kid-friendly dinner ideas can make meal planning much easier. These simple and delicious meal ideas focus on familiar flavors, fun presentations, and nutritious ingredients while being easy to prepare.
Finding quick and easy dinners that kids will actually eat can sometimes feel like a challenge. Below are some fun, balanced, and stress-free dinner ideas that kids will love!
Kid Friendly Dinners for Picky Eaters
Build-Your-Own Tacos
Taco night is a family favorite! Let kids create their own tacos by offering different toppings like shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream, and guacamole. Providing options makes kids more excited to eat, and using small tortillas or soft shells makes it easy for little hands to hold.
Here are some more taco ideas:
Homemade Pizza Night
Give kids small pizza crusts, pita bread, or English muffins and let them spread their favorite sauce and toppings. Choices like pepperoni, shredded cheese, diced ham, mushrooms, and bell peppers make for a fun and interactive meal that the whole family can enjoy.
Here are some easy pizza ideas:
Baked Potato Bar
Baked potatoes are a fun and customizable meal. Set out toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, and steamed broccoli so kids can build their own favorite version.
Crock Pot Meatball Subs
These subs are easy to throw together after they cook on their own and you can pair them with a quick side and have a meal in minutes. Check out these Crock pot meatball subs.
DIY Wraps or Roll-Ups
Using tortillas, let kids create their own turkey and cheese wraps, peanut butter and banana roll-ups, or hummus and veggie wraps. Cut them into pinwheels for fun bite-sized pieces.
Here are several roll up ideas:
- Cucumber Cream Cheese Tuna Roll Ups
- Ham and Cranberry Roll Ups
- Pepperoni Cream Cheese Roll Ups
- Pepperoni Meatball Roll Ups
Homemade Hot Pockets
These homemade hot pockets are a super crowd pleaser. I love them too and you can make them in so many variations!
Kids Friendly Dinner Ideas on a Budget
Taco Soup
This easy and cheap taco soup is a favorite around here and has been for decades. I have grown ups that used to attend my daycare mention it to me when I see them still. It’s also my daughter’s favorite!
Breakfast for Dinner
Who says you can’t have breakfast at night? Whip up a fun meal of scrambled eggs, pancakes, waffles, or French toast with fruit on the side. Add some bacon or sausage for protein, and let kids drizzle their own syrup or spread nut butter on their toast.
Mac and Cheese with Add-Ins
A classic comfort meal, mac and cheese can be upgraded by adding peas, diced ham, shredded chicken, pulled pork, or even broccoli. Using fun-shaped pasta or making it extra cheesy can make it more exciting for little eaters.
Sliders and Mini Burgers
Mini-sized burgers are perfect for kids! Serve with small slider buns and let them pick their own toppings, like cheese, lettuce, ketchup, and pickles. Pair with oven-baked fries or a side of applesauce for a well-rounded meal.
Here are some more slider ideas:
Pasta with Hidden Veggie Sauce
A simple pasta dish with a tomato-based or creamy sauce is always a hit. Blend in carrots, zucchini, or spinach to sneak in extra nutrition without changing the taste. Serve with garlic bread or a side of steamed vegetables.
For some pasta ideas even the pickiest eaters love, check these out:
Quesadilla Fun
A cheesy quesadilla filled with melted cheese and other ingredients like beans, diced chicken, or veggies makes for a quick and easy meal. Cut them into small triangles and serve with sour cream or salsa for dipping.
For more quesadilla ideas, check these out:
Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
A warm, crispy grilled cheese sandwich with a side of creamy tomato soup is both comforting and delicious. Let kids help butter the bread or choose different cheeses for variety.
Spaghetti & Meat Sauce
A simple spaghetti dish with meat sauce is always a reliable dinner. Use whole wheat pasta for added nutrition and let kids sprinkle their own Parmesan cheese on top.
Mini Meatballs with Dipping Sauce
Meatballs are a fun finger food that kids love. Serve them with small bowls of marinara, ranch, or honey mustard for dipping. Pair with rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted veggies.
Fish Sticks & Sweet Potato Fries
Baked fish sticks with crispy sweet potato fries make for a nutritious and kid-approved meal. Serve with a side of ketchup or tartar sauce for extra fun.
Kid Friendly Dinners with Chicken
Veggie-Packed Fried Rice
Make a quick stir-fried rice dish with scrambled eggs, diced chicken, peas, carrots, and a touch of soy sauce. It’s a great way to introduce new vegetables in a familiar way.
Chicken Nugget & Veggie Platter
A simple but satisfying dinner, chicken nuggets paired with kid-friendly veggies like baby carrots, cucumber slices, and cherry tomatoes make for an easy and balanced meal. Serve with a side of ranch, ketchup, or honey mustard for dipping.
Chicken & Rice Bowls
A simple bowl of rice topped with shredded chicken, a little cheese, and mild salsa is easy to eat and full of flavor. You can also add black beans or avocado for a little extra nutrition.
Crockpot Chicken Tacos
Let the slow cooker do the work for these crockpot chicken tacos! Shredded chicken seasoned with mild spices can be served in taco shells or soft tortillas with kid-friendly toppings like cheese and avocado.
Kid-friendly dinners don’t have to be complicated! These easy meal ideas keep things simple while ensuring that kids get a variety of nutritious and delicious options. By making meals interactive, customizable, and fun, kids are more likely to try new foods and enjoy dinnertime. Whether it’s taco night, breakfast for dinner, or a build-your-own pizza party, these meal ideas will help make weeknight dinners stress-free and enjoyable for the whole family!
