Dinner Ideas for Kids
Make dinner a little easier with this master list of easy dinner ideas for kids. These are some of my best kid-friendly recipes for dinner. And each was developed with little kids in mind AND meant to be easy enough for you to pull off in short spurts of time. I try my hardest to make recipes that the kids will enjoy and that parents will also want to eat to simplify how much we’re cooking. And I hope this collection offers some ideas the next time you’ve otherwise run out of easy toddler dinners or easy weeknight family dinners.! I’ve divided these up into sections so you can use the links right below here to go to the one you want, or simply scroll down to see what looks good! (You may also like Sample Toddler Meal Plan, Dinner Ideas with Hamburger Meat, and a Week of Quick Dinner Ideas for Kids.)
Pasta Recipes for Kids
Pasta is a staple dinner option and the ones here are some of our favorite toddler recipes. And never underestimate the power of plain buttered noodles with a little Parmesan with a simple side—not every dinner has to be all out complicated! Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox.
Chicken Recipes for Kids
Mixing up chicken recipes for kids is an easy way to make dinner more interesting for everyone at the table. And whether the kids like nuggets, tenders, meatballs, or chicken sandwiches, there are plenty of options here.
Vegetarian Kids Meals
If you have a vegetarian household or you just want more meatless meals to reduce your grocery budget, here are some of our favs. (Those Tofu Nuggets are so darn delish!)
Pizza Recipes for Kids
I know that takeout pizza (or frozen!) is always an easy option, but here are a few more pizza recipes for kids in case you want to try a different pizza flavor. (Sign me up for Pizza Bites!)
Veggie-Packed Kids Recipes
Most of the recipes in this post do have veggies in them, but here are some dinner ideas for kids that go a little beyond. Find nuggets, tots, savory muffins and more that pack in the vegetables!
Best Tips for Success
Use simple sides for dinners for kids like fresh fruits, applesauce, whole grain crackers, cheese, and fruit cups to round out meals when needed. This can also provide a safety net at the table for “picky eaters“. Aim to include 1-2 foods the kids usually like (even if they are the simple sides above) to help make sure family meals work for everyone at the table. Remember that family meals are about nutrition and filling bellies, yes, but also about being together and connecting—and sometimes the kids just aren’t super hungry. Take all of the shortcuts you need to make dinner happen for your family. Start with small portions to lessen food waste and keep meals family-friendly. Remind kids to share before taking seconds (or thirds). Add buttered spaghetti, roasted potatoes, carrots and ranch, applesauce, diced fruit, and other dips on the side. You might also like Hamburger Helper, Cheeseburger Pasta, Easy Tomato Sauce, and more toddler dinner ideas.
I’d love to hear your feedback on this collection of dinner ideas for kids, so please chime in below to share!
25 Easy Toddler Dinners (Make-Ahead)
Master List of Healthy Family Meals
Easy Weeknight Family Dinners
Best Yogurt for Babies and Toddlers
This post was first published August 2021.
