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Taking a Meal to a Family with Kids? 5 Kid-Approved Dinner Ideas! JULY 30, 2024 / KELLI NAPOTNIK / 
Over the course of many years, I've had the privilege of taking meals to friends and family for many different reasons. Whether it has been because of sickness, general support for a difficult situation, or because a baby has recently entered the family, one of the hardest things to consider is, will the meal be kid-approved? Children can have particular tastes making bringing a meal to the whole family challenging. As a mom, I appreciate healthy meals that we all enjoy and my kids will gobble up!
If you find yourself taking a meal to a family with kids or teens, here are FIVE kid-friendly, healthy dinner ideas to inspire you! You don't have to sacrifice nutrition in any of these recipes!
TIPS FOR KEEPING KIDS AND TEENS ENGAGED WITH THE MEAL
Offer Food Tangibles!
Children love working with their hands. Providing dinner options they can put together themselves is always a big hit. Send salad items individually, so they can choose their favorite toppings. This also provides mom or dad the opportunity to omit any ingredients a picky eater doesn't want.
Color, Color, Color!
Kids love color! Years ago, a friend brought us chicken noodle soup for dinner after I had my last child. She included a delicious fruit salad and mentioned that in her experience, kids always love fruit! This proved to be true because after dinner, there was no fruit salad leftover! I was thankful for something my kids enjoyed eating and also the quiet contentment at the dinner table.
Sneak Healthy Ingredients into a Basic Recipe
I recently purchased cottage cheese to serve for breakfast, but it went untouched in the fridge by my kids. I stumbled upon a recipe for waffles that called for cottage cheese and decided to try it! It was a win-win for me; my kids gobbled up the waffles and no one commented on my secret ingredient. This is a great example of hiding more nutritious ingredients in a basic recipe you know they already love!
Make Enough for a Second Helping
If you are bringing a meal to a family with teens, be sure to provide enough for them to go for a second helping. My mother-in-law cooked for five boys every single day. To make sure there was enough to satisfy their appetites, she often made large batches of food, doubling or tripling the ingredients where she could. Chili, pot roast, soups, baked casseroles, or something as simple as sloppy joes, are all great options for cooking large amounts. Any leftovers can be used the next day for a second meal or put in the freezer for another time.
Taking a meal to a family with children (or teens!) doesn't have to be intimidating. By using simple ingredients, or sneaking in healthy alternatives to go-to favorites, cooking for kids is easy! I hope I've inspired you for the next time you need a kid-friendly dinner idea. Do you have favorites you reach for when cooking for kids or teens? I'd love to hear!
 *My kids love fresh cut veggies with hummus or a healthy ranch dressing for dipping as a side to this creamy mac and cheese! If taking it as a meal, send along a store bought rotisserie chicken to make this a complete meal for the adults! Recipe linked above!
 #1: Looking for a refreshing salad full of summer fruits, a little bit of rich pure honey, cooling mint, and bright fresh lime juice? Then you have to try this Watermelon Salad. It's a perfect side dish to include when taking a meal this summer, or make it for your next potluck!
Don't have Instagram? Click here for the recipe!
#2: This Berry Tart recipe is easy to make, and it's great to whip up for your family to enjoy for breakfast or include it with a meal. Not only do they look delightful, but they taste amazing!
Don't have Instagram? Click here for the recipe.
#3: Looking for encouraging words to share with a friend or loved one? Or maybe you need just a little motivation or inspiration for yourself. Here are a few of our favorite reminders!
#4: How cute are these back to school treats?! An easy snack for the kiddos or a great teacher gift!
#5: Salads can be a meal by themselves or a wonderful side to another main dish. On Pinterest we've compiled some of the best salads and side dish recipes to make your meal extra special.
Read other recent articles by Kelli Napotnik:
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Welcome! We're thrilled you stopped by. Our own joys and sorrows have taught us that a well-timed meal delivered by a friend is one of the best gifts imaginable. In this space, we share our favorite recipes to take to friends, meal-taking tips, and other ways to care for those who are dear to you. Helpful Posts
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