Say goodbye to summer meal planning stress with these easy kid-friendly and healthy meal ideas!
Summer is a time for fun in the sun, but it can also be a time of stress, especially when it comes to meal planning. With the kids out of school, there's no need to worry about packing lunches, but that doesn't mean you're off the hook for meal planning. The good news is that there are plenty of easy and healthy summer meals for kids that will make meal planning a breeze. Read on for some easy kid-friendly meal ideas (and recipes) that are perfect for summer.
Opting for summer kid-friendly meal ideas
There are so many benefits to providing your kids with easy and healthy summer meals. Firstly, healthy meals can help keep your kids energized and active throughout the day. Secondly, by providing your kids with healthy meals, you can help them develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime. Finally, by planning easy and healthy meals, you can save yourself time and stress in the long run, and who doesn't want that!
When it comes to summer meals for kids, it's important to keep in mind that kids are more likely to eat healthy foods if they're presented in a fun and creative way. This is especially true for picky eaters, who may be more willing to try new foods if they're presented in a way that's visually appealing. By taking the time to plan fun and creative meals, you can ensure that your kids are eating healthy foods that they actually enjoy.
Creative summer lunch ideas for kids
If you're looking for something a little more creative than sandwiches and salads, there are plenty of fun and healthy summer lunch ideas for kids. Fruit skewers (AKA fruit fun on a stick) are a great option and can be made with all sorts of colorful fruits, like strawberries, pineapple, and kiwi. Veggie cups are another fun option and can be filled with all sorts of colorful veggies, like carrots, cherry tomatoes, mini bell pepper slices, and cucumbers. DIY 'lunchables' are also a hit with kids and can be made with whole grain crackers, lean protein, cheese, and veggies.
Quick and easy lunch ideas for kids
Sandwiches, salads, and wraps are all great options for quick and easy summer lunches for kids. They're easy to prepare, can be made in advance, and are perfect for packing up and taking on the go. When it comes to sandwiches, try using whole grain bread and filling them with plenty of veggies and lean protein. For salads, mix up your greens and add plenty of colorful veggies, like tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, and bell peppers. Wraps are also a great option and can be filled with all sorts of healthy ingredients, like grilled chicken, avocado, and hummus.
Kid-friendly summer dinner ideas
When it comes to summer dinner ideas for kids, it's important to keep things simple and flavorful. Grilled chicken is always a hit with kids and can be served with a side of grilled veggies and a whole grain roll. Pasta salads are also a great option and can be made with plenty of colorful veggies and lean protein. Tacos are another kid-friendly option and can be made with all sorts of healthy ingredients and different variations like grilled fish, avocado, and salsa.
Healthy summer dinners for families
If you're looking for easy, healthy summer dinners for the whole family, there are plenty of options to choose from. Start with a lean protein like grilled chicken or fish, or turkey burgers, and serve with a side of roasted veggies and quinoa or brown rice. Roasted vegetables are such a tasty option and can be seasoned with all sorts of flavorful herbs and spices. Rice or quinoa bowls are another healthy option and can be filled with, you guessed it, a variety of colorful veggies, lean protein, and healthy fats.
Easy summer recipes for kids
Summer is a great time to get creative in the kitchen and there are plenty of easy summer recipes for kids to try. Smoothie bowls are a fun and healthy option and can be made with all sorts of colorful fruits and veggies. Frozen fruit pops are also a hit with kids and can be super healthy when made with fresh fruit and yogurt. Homemade pizza is another fun option and can be made with whole grain crust, plenty of veggies, and lean protein.
Kid-friendly summer party food ideas
If you're planning a summer party for kids, it's important to have plenty of healthy and kid-friendly food options on hand. Fruit kabobs are a fun and colorful option and can be made with any fruits of your choice. Mini sliders are another hit with kids and can be made with lean protein and plenty of veggies. Veggie dip cups are also a great option and can be filled with all sorts of colorful veggies and healthy dips like hummus or tzatziki.
Tips for meal planning ideas and meal prep for stress-free summer lunches and dinners
Meal planning and meal prep are key to stress-free summer lunches and dinners. By taking the time to plan out your meals for the week, you can save yourself time and stress in the long run. Make sure to plan meals that are easy to prepare and can be made in advance. Use leftovers to create new meals throughout the week and try to incorporate plenty of healthy and colorful veggies into your meals.
Final thoughts on easy kid-friendly summer meals
Summer meal planning doesn't have to be stressful. With these easy kid-friendly meal planning ideas, you can ensure that your kids are eating healthy foods that they actually enjoy. By taking the time to plan fun and creative meals, you can help your kids develop healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime. So say goodbye to summer meal planning stress and hello to stress-free summer meals!
Tropical Fruit Salsa & Grilled Chicken Salad - 2 Simple Summer Recipes
Liven up your next family barbeque with one of these yummy simple summer recipes! Both are easy to make, healthy, and wonderfully delicious! Enlist the help of your adventurous or picky eater to chop up the ingredients with a kid-friendly knife and supervision.
Simple Summer Recipe #1: Tropical Fruit Salsa
Give an all-time favorite a tropical twist with this quick and scrumptious salsa. Serves 4.
Ingredients:
1 cup pineapple
1 medium mango
3/4 cup strawberries
2 medium kiwi
¼ cup coconut flakes
1 Tablespoon fresh mint
1 medium lime
Instructions:
Chop the pineapple, mango, strawberries, kiwi, and mint.
Juice the lime.
In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients together, mixing well with a spoon.
Serve with baked pita chips or your favorite snack chip.
You can refrigerate any leftover salsa in a sealed container for up to two days. This salsa also tastes great served over cooked chicken or seafood.
Simple Summer Recipe #2: Refreshing Grilled Chicken Salad
This is no ordinary grilled chicken salad! Packed with nutrition, this light and healthy salad is sure to please. Serves 4.
Ingredients:
½ cup lime juice
2 Tablespoons honey
4 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 4 ounces each)
6 cups spring mix salad greens
2 cups cubed, seedless watermelon
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 medium sweet yellow pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/3 cup chopped, toasted walnuts
Instructions:
In a small bowl, combine the lime juice, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Pour 1/3 cup of the combined mixture into a gallon-size zipper plastic bag, then add the chicken.
Seal the bag and coat the chicken, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Cover and refrigerate the remaining mixture to be used as the dressing.
Drain the marinated chicken and discard the marinade.
Grill the chicken, or broil it in the oven for about 4-7 minutes on each side, until a meat thermometer reaches 170 degrees.
In a large bowl, combine the salad greens, watermelon, blueberries, and yellow pepper.
Add the reserved dressing and toss all to coat.
Slice the chicken and serve with the salad.
Sprinkle each salad plate with about 4 teaspoons of toasted walnuts.
Recipes are courtesy of superhealthykids.com and Taste of Home.
For more fun and healthy kid-friendly recipes, check out these posts:
Looking for some useful, professional tips to help get your picky eater on board? Check out Build A Better Eater - my short parent guide to turning your picky eater into a Brave Taster! Available now on Amazon
All blog content shared through HealthSmart! Kids is for informational purposes only and not to be construed as medical advice. Always talk with your qualified health care provider for managing your health care needs.
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