Here are 15 easy meals and snacks kids can learn to make by themselves. These meal ideas are a great way to introduce your kids to food preparation and make them comfortable with kitchen safety. They’ll have fun doing it!
15. Rainbow Fruit Kebabs
Not only is this easy to make, but kids will enjoy using their creativity to make their own arrangements. If you have younger kids you want to keep away from knives, do the prep work yourself and leave a bowl of cut-up fruit in the fridge. You can also buy a pre-chopped bowl. Look for kid-friendly wooden skewers without the sharp ends.
14. Nutella or Peanut Butter & Banana on Bread
This is a snack that kids will find delicious, and it’s easy for little hands to put together. You can use any kind of bread, although pita or loaf ends are a little sturdier. First smear with peanut butter or Nutella, then top with sliced bananas. Your kids can use a spoon or a non-sharp knife to slice the bananas.
13. Fruit Parfaits
These are delicious and fun to make. Ingredients are berries, yogurt, and granola, or Nilla Wafers. Layer into a small glass (cocktail size). Use small berries such as raspberries, blueberries, or small-sized strawberries, which eliminates the need for any chopping. Bananas or dried apricot slices are optional. If your kids don’t have nut allergies – you can add those as well.
12. Quesadilla
Quesadillas are easy for younger kids to make safely in the microwave. Simply layer cheese between two tortillas and microwave until the cheese melts. You can prepare toppings in advance for them such as guacamole, salsa, and sour cream. If you have older kids you trust on the stove, they can make a skillet version.
11. Oatmeal
Instant oatmeal is easy for kids to make in the microwave. If you trust older kids on the stove, they can make stovetop oatmeal as well. Oatmeal is great for breakfast, a snack, or a lunch option, too. Let them customize their oatmeal with sliced fruit, berries, peanut butter, or even chocolate chips to make something healthy and scrumptious.
10. Nachos
Nachos are another snack that is easy to make in the microwave. In its simplest form, it has two ingredients: Cheese and chips. However, you can prepare other toppings they can add after they come out of the microwave such as olives, tomatoes or pico de gallo, salsa, cilantro, jalapenos, guacamole, or sour cream.
9. Ramen
Using microwavable Ramen in a cup, your kids only need to add a little bit of water and microwave. However, if you have older kids you trust on the stove, and with boiling water, they can use the brick Ramen option. It cooks in just a few minutes on the stovetop.
8. Easy Mac or Mac & Cheese
Easy Mac is simple to make in the microwave. Put water in the bowl, add noodles, and microwave. Take it out, stir in the powdered cheese and you’re good to go. You can teach your older kids how to make the box version of Mac & Cheese on the stovetop, for a deluxe and cheesier version.
7. Bean & Cheese Burritos
Open a can of refried or black beans and put them in a container in the fridge. All your kids need to do is dip out some beans on the tortilla, sprinkle on some shredded cheese, and microwave. It’s one of the simplest meals for kids to make. Dress them up with olives, salsa, or sour cream.
6. Fruit Tacos
Here’s something fun and different that kids will love, especially for breakfast. Prepare a bunch of sliced fruit and place it in a bowl in the refrigerator (or you can buy presliced fruit). Get some fajita-sized flour tortillas. Place the tortillas in the microwave for a few seconds to warm and soften them. Let your kids fill them with fruit.
5. Old Man Bagel
This is an easy one for kids who can toast their own bagel. Have some avocado slices already prepared for them. After toasting, spread cream cheese on each bagel. Then add the avocado slices. If your kids can handle a little spice, finish off with some lemon pepper seasoning (if desired). Makes a great breakfast, lunch, or snack.
4. Smoothies
If you trust your kids with safely operating the blender, smoothies are simple to make. Use a blend of frozen berries they can get from the freezer (it will cool the drink as well). Or, you can pre-peel and slice other fruit for them (or buy presliced fruit). Add a fresh banana. Add a little fruit juice, water, and/or milk.
3. Turkey & Cheese Pinwheels
You can use full or fajita-sized flour tortillas for this. Layer ingredients such as turkey, cheese, lettuce, and tomato in the center and then roll them up. Stick a toothpick on each side and then slice it down the middle into two halves. You can use any kind of meat, hummus, veggies, or even peanut butter and jelly.
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2. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
For kids you trust using the stove, a grilled cheese sandwich is a good introduction to cooking. There are different ways to make this comfort food classic. The traditional way is to coat the outsides of the bread with butter (or margarine). But another delicious version is to slather the outside of the bread with mayo instead.
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1. Texas Toast/Garlic Bread Pizza
This is for older kids you trust with the toaster oven, air fryer, or conventional oven. On a pan or piece of foil, take a piece of frozen Texas toast or garlic bread and top it with sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, and toppings. You can use pepperoni or other meat topping, sliced vegetables, olives, or whatever else their little hearts desire.
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