Meal Planning For Kids – 11 Ways You Can Plan With Your Kids & Keep Your Sanity

Ever wonder how some moms just seem to have it all together when it comes to meal planning for kids? 

Meal planning for kids doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, it can be downright easy with a little organization and forethought. Here are some tips to help you get started.

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1. Start early

Sit down with your kids and figure out what they’d like to eat for the week to create a weekly meal plan.

One of the challenges of being a parent is trying to figure out what to feed your kids. If you’re stuck in a rut of making the same few meals over and over, it’s time to mix things up.

Coming up with a weekly meal plan will help you include multiple food groups to include in your family meals.

Instead of winging it every night, sit down with your kids at the beginning of the week and ask them what they’d like to eat. This will give you a chance to mix up your meal plan and try new things. It’s also a great way to get your kids involved in the cooking process.

They’ll be more likely to eat something that they’ve had a hand in choosing. So next time you’re feeling stuck, take a few minutes to plan ahead, and you’ll be sure to come up with some new family-friendly meals that everyone will enjoy and that encourage healthy eating.

2. Make a list

Once you know what your kids want to eat, ensuring that it is not the same meal every day of the week, make a list of all the ingredients you’ll need.

Any parent knows that mealtime with kids can be a challenge. Not only do you have to worry about picky eaters, discouraging picky eating can be a challenge and you also have to make sure that they’re getting the nutrients they need to grow.

I have included both a weekly grocery list for you and your child(ren) see below for the kids version.

>> Grab your weekly grocery list <<

Have them choose items that are from every food group.

One way to make mealtime easier is to plan ahead by making a list of all the ingredients you’ll need for your child’s favorite meals. This can include grilled cheese — maybe add homemade tomato soup or celery sticks with peanut butter or nut butter and raisins on top (also known as ants on a log) for an after dinner snack.

For dessert you can make a homemade and easy apple crumb cake that is great to help with those that have a sweet tooth.

This way, you can make sure that you always have everything on hand, and you won’t have to make a last-minute trip to the grocery store. Plus, it’ll save you time in the long run because you won’t have to keep running back and forth to the kitchen to check on ingredients.

3. Shop together – involve your kids

Shopping for groceries to create meal plans is an essential part of life, but it can also be a chore.

To make the experience more enjoyable for everyone, involve your kids in the process.

Many parents enjoy the “free” time they get when they go to the store alone. I mean carpool karaoke is so fun.

However, if you let our kids help to select items from the shelves and add them to the cart it builds confidence and piques curiosity for them to try other foods as well. If they are old enough, they can also help with simple tasks like scanning coupons, reading labels or comparing prices.

Not only will this help to make shopping more fun, but it will also teach your kids important life skills. As they learn how to budget and select healthy foods, they will be better prepared to make choices on their own. So next time you head to the grocery store, bring your kids along for the ride. together.

Tip: Shopping together can be a great way to spend quality time with your kids while teaching them important life skills.

By involving them in the shopping process, they can learn how to budget and make responsible purchasing decisions. It can also be a great opportunity to bond over shared interests and create lasting memories.

Of course, shopping with kids can also be challenging at times. But by planning ahead and being prepared for anything — or at least as much as you can be, you can make the experience enjoyable for everyone involved.

So next time you need to hit the stores, consider involving your kids in the fun. You might just be surprised at what they’re able to teach you.

>> Grab Your Weekly Meal Planner For Kids <<

4. Get organized

Before you start cooking, take some time to organize your kitchen. This will make the cooking process much smoother.

The kitchen can be a chaotic place, especially when you’re trying to cook a meal. Pots and pans are scattered across the counter, silverware is piled in the sink, and ingredients are strewn about the fridge.

It’s no wonder that many people find cooking to be a challenge.

One simple way to make the process easier is to take some time to get organized. Before you start cooking, take a few minutes to clear off your countertops and put away any dishes that are lying around.

Then, gather all of the ingredients you’ll need for your recipe and create a work station where everything is within reach. Once you’ve done this, cooking will be much less stressful and more enjoyable. Who knows, you might even start to enjoy it!

Tip: Make sure that your child(ren) have their own work station set up right beside you. So you can work together and teach as you go.

Any cook will tell you that the key to a successful meal is organization. If you’re constantly running around looking for things, it’s hard to stay calm and focused.

That’s why it’s important to take some time to organize your kitchen before you start cooking. Make sure all the utensils and ingredients you need are within easy reach. Put away any distractions, such as your phone or the TV remote.

Get organized and set yourself up for success in the kitchen.

5. Cook in bulk

Meal prepping can be a great way to save time and money. When you cook in bulk, you can make enough food to last for several days or even weeks.

This means that you won’t have to cook as often, and you’ll always have something healthy and delicious to eat. Plus, cooking in bulk often leads to leftovers, which can be just as good as the original meal. reheated or repurposed into another dish. Leftover spaghetti sauce can easily become lasagna soup.

Show your child that this is a way to save time and money.

If you’re like most people, the thought of cooking meals for the week ahead can be daunting. After a long day at work, the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. Meal prepping can be a great way to save time and hassle during the week.

By cooking in bulk, you can make several meals at once and then store them in the fridge or freezer for later. Not only will this save you time, but it will also help you to eat healthier meals since you’ll be less likely to order takeout when you have a home-cooked meal already prepared.

And don’t worry – meal prepping doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with simple recipes that you can cook in advance and then build up from there. Before you know it, you’ll be a meal-prepping pro!

6. Planning ahead

Planning ahead with a realistic meal plans for kids will help you avoid the last minute rush to the grocery store or fast food restaurant.

Meal planning can be a helpful tool to avoid the dreaded last-minute decision of what to have for dinner.

It can be as simple as taking inventory of what you have on hand and creating a list of meal ideas for the week. Planning ahead can help you save time, money, and stress.

When you have a plan, you are less likely to make impulse purchases at the grocery store or resort to ordering take-out. You are also more likely to eat healthier meals when you take the time to plan ahead.

Tip: If you know you have an extra busy day, throw a meal into the slow cooker, try this crockpot chicken.

Meal planning can be a great way to ensure that you and your family always have something delicious and nutritious to eat.

Tip: Making appetizers are a fun way to get the kiddos to eat food and be a bit more adventurous. Here are some cucumber appetizers that are perfect.

Get them involved in the cooking process

When it comes to getting kids to eat their vegetables, one of the best things you can do is involve them in the cooking process.

Studies have shown that children are more likely to eat foods that they have helped to prepare.

In addition to being a fun activity, involving kids in cooking gives them a chance to learn about nutrition and develop important life skills.

If you’re looking for ways to get your kids to eat their veggies, start by involving them in the cooking process. who knows, you might just end up with a few new family recipes in the process.

Tip: Get everyone involved – assign each family member a night to cook dinner

Try not to stress out about it – meal planning can be a fun family activity

For many families, dinnertime is the only time of day when everyone is together. However, getting everyone to the table can be a challenge, especially if you’re short on time and ideas.

One way to make dinnertime more enjoyable (and less stressful) is to involve the whole family in meal planning.

Not only will this give everyone a chance to share their favorite dishes, but it will also help to teach kids about nutrition and where food comes from. Meal planning can be done online or in a notebook, and it’s a great way to ensure that you always have something delicious (and nutritious) on hand.

Plus, it’s a fun way for families to bond and spend time together. So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by mealtime, remember that involving the whole family can make it more enjoyable for everyone.

Tip: Try my simple meal planning course to help you get organized, plan better, and save money.

Keep it simple – choose recipes that have five ingredients or less

By choosing recipes that have five ingredients or less in the beginning of your journey, you can create a delicious and nutritious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

In addition, using fewer ingredients can help to keep your grocery bill down.

Not sure what to make?

There are plenty of great recipes that fit the bill. For example, try a simple vegetable soup made with carrots, celery, potatoes, and broth. Or, for a heartier meal, try grilled chicken breasts with a side of roasted vegetables. By keeping it simple, you can enjoy a delicious and stress-free meal.

Tip: It is ok to use more than 5 ingredients if the recipe can be cooked in less than 40 minutes.

Incorporate healthy choices

Add a salad or vegetable to each meal.

One simple way to make sure you’re getting the recommended daily amount of vegetables is to add a salad and another vegetable to each meal.

This doesn’t have to be a big production–a small side salad or even some sliced tomatoes or cucumbers on your sandwich can make a difference. And you don’t have to eat boring salads, either.

There are endless possibilities for dressing up your greens, from adding fruit or nuts to using interesting dressings or cheeses.

So, get creative and enjoy incorporating some healthy choices into your families diet!

Enjoy your home-cooked meals together!

One of the best things about cooking at home is that it gives you a chance to spend time with your family or friends.

It can be hard to find time to sit down and enjoy a meal together. But when you cook together, you can chat and catch up while you work.

And, of course, there’s nothing better than enjoying a delicious meal that you made yourself. Home-cooked meals are a great way to bond the family. And getting to know each other better.

So next time you’re looking for a way to spend some quality time with your loved ones, try cooking together. It’s a great way to bond and to enjoy some delicious food.

Let’s face it, cooking for kids can be a challenge. But by keeping things simple you are sure to create an enjoyable meal without spending hours over a hot stove!!

So next time mealtime rolls around, take a deep breath and relax – you’ve got this!