Great Tips to Feeding Kids This Summer

With kids out for the summer, there are more hungry mouths to feed. Constantly. At this point in the summer, menus for littles in your life may becoming less appealing. At certain ages and stages, how to feed kids during the summer is challenging. Will you be feeding kids this summer?

There are those picky kid eaters. Kids who change their food choices daily which makes planning a challenge. Then, there are those kids who are the bottomless pits.

You have to remember that tiny tanks operate differently from adult ones. Smaller amounts and more often have to be in the menu planner.

How do YOU feed kids during the summer?

Perhaps kids of your own…neighborhood kids…grandkids…or in my case, great nieces and nephews will have their feet under my table.

So, what tips do I have for you?

TIP 1: Plan Ahead

This is most important. Because of their choices constantly changing, plan for choices. That’s where the freezer comes in handy.

Plan for easy to grab meals that can be made, added to freezer bags, and warmed in the microwave.

My family laugh at me because everyone has choices in my house…that’s because I have PLANNED ahead!

What things are planned in advance?

Breakfast –

• Fruit– apples, bananas, cantaloupe, grapes and other favorites are available. Not all at the same time. They need to be surprised with a CHANGE in your plan.

• Breakfast sandwiches-these are so very easy to make…top an English muffin or bagel with sliced ham and scrambled egg. Place into a freezer bag and into the freezer, labeled and dated. Warm them in the oven or microwave and make your mornings easier.
• Do you remember those morning muffins? Although you can make the mix and store in the refrigerator for fresh muffins, making all of the mix and baking…then storing in freezer bags in the freezer make for an easy change for breakfasts.

• Make waffles and pancakes. These also can be made in large batches and added to the freezer.
• Individual frittatas are genius. Take scrambled eggs, cheese, sausage, ham or bacon (meats cooked and crumbled) and seasonings and add into muffin tins to be baked. Make ahead and refrigerate for the week to warm when needed; OR, cool and freeze those if you want to get ahead to have a quick breakfast warmed in the oven or microwave. Make sure that you label ingredients for those pickier of eaters.

• Tuesdays are Bagel days at Panera Bread…run by early for a great selection of 13 for a great price! Makes EVERYONE happy for breakfast and even afternoon snacks. You can freeze those bagels, too; but, we truly like them best when they are freshly baked. The kids here even love them topped with cheese.
• Mini donuts are a fun morning breakfast when you have time to enjoy. A great cooking class, too!

• Cheese toast is a favorite here. Simply top your favorite bread with a slice of American cheese and broil for a classic.
• French muffins in a double batch are for special occasions. 24 for a single batch or 48 for a double batch of mini muffins go a long way in feeding kids and making them happy.

Lunch-

• Pizza of any kinds is a favorite way to feed kids here. Whether it’s a made from scratch, ordered from a favorite pizza place, or even a flour tortilla or bagel topped with pizza sauce, cheese and toppings…this is usually a favorite.
• Burgers– we grill a whole package of Sam’s Club beef burgers, wrap in parchment paper and add to freezer bags, labeled and dated, and then warmed in the microwave when needed. They are perfect every time.
• Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches can have variety. Addition of nutella, banana or apple slices, or raisins add a different variety that some love. Remove the crusts with a pie press and you have your own “uncrustable” version.
• Hawaiian rolls with ham. This has always been a favorite for our littles. Don’t have them often, though, or they will tire of them.
• Chicken tenders in the air fryer or oven are always a favorite. Homemade versions may help keep them healthy. Make a win by serving them with Chick Fil A sauce.
• Grilled cheese sandwiches are a favorite that is great to teach how to make for those old enough to help. If you have a panini maker, the ridges add a bit of fun to a simple sandwich.
• Fruit or fresh veggies added to lunch are always welcome. Baby carrots, cucumbers, watermelon, cantaloupe and strawberries are favorites here.
• Angel hair pasta and marinara or baked spaghetti is always a favorite. Garlic bread takes it over the top.
• Breakfast for lunch is never turned down! Scrambled eggs, pancakes, waffles, avocado toast, biscuits, bacon and sausage with gravy are a welcome treat occasionally.

TIP 2: Be Creative in Feeding Kids

• Make your own “uncrustables”. Use a circle cutter to trim off crusts., fill and then crimp edges.
• Arrange food in the form of a happy face. Boiled eggs for eyes, red pepper slices for lips, yellow peppers for nose, grated or cottage cheese for hair. BE CREATIVE with what you put together that kids will eat or try.
• Individual charcuterie boxes are a new favorite this summer. Add favorite meats, crackers, cheese, fruits, nuts, and veggies to food safe boxes for a great picnic or travel lunch.

• Move the location where you serve meals to a different spot. Picnic table…outside on a blanket…to the park…even pack a picnic and take it to the lake or the riverfront for a different view. Sometimes it makes food taste better.

TIP 3: Involve kids in the cooking or creating.

Summer is a perfect time to teach kids basic cooking skills. Whether they just stir, learn how to turn the oven on, add things to a baking sheet, or wash dishes, ENGAGING them and teaching them skills will become a favorite activity.

• Let kids create the charcuterie boxes.
• Bake a cake.
• Take them to a farmer’s market or farm to buy fresh produce to try.
• Visit an orchard or farm to pick berries or fruit.
• Try a new cookie recipe.
• Learn how to use the microwave and toaster–teaching safety rules.
• Teach them how to use the waffle maker…again with safety and supervision.
• Explain other safety rules in the kitchen- using a potholder, how to cut with a knife, etc.
• Hand wash dishes may be a new skill…remember begin with silverware and glasses first and then wash dirtiest dishes last.
• Lessons on how to load and unload the dishwasher is great.
• Bake brownies.
• Involve them in select ing the toppings to use to create faces with lunch or snack foods.
• Plan a trip to the library for children’s cookbooks or head to Pinterest for some great cooking recipes with kids.
• Teach them how to make jello…they might actually try it! Make it a science lesson on what happens.
• Have them freeze mint, blueberries or strawberries in ice cube trays to add to their water to drink.
• Make homemade ice cream. A no churn with the mixer is an easy, fun method.
• Learn to make cookie cups for milk and cookies or ice cream is on our agenda to learn this summer.
• Involve kids in making popcorn.
• Snacks where they can help spread peanut butter on bananas or apples, add fruit to yogurt, or make lemonade are loved.
• Fruit juice popsicles are loved to be made and eaten.

Hope this has helped you get creative on how to feed the kids in your life this summer.

Sometimes it’s just good to think through what foods would be fun and enjoyed. The more you involve kids, the more they will taste and try new foods if they raised it in the garden or helped to prepare it.

These ideas might also help you to pack school lunches when school starts. Can you believe some schools will begin here the first or second weekend in August? Hard to believe!

If you have more ideas to help all of us who are feeding those kids this summer, won’t you share in the comments?

I’m always game to have new ideas!

Happy Feeding!