Cooking with kids can be chaotic and messy. Still, it’s rewarding to pour effort into something the whole family can enjoy. Here are five fun meal ideas that both parents and kids will love to make and eat!

Kabobs

Provided that children are old enough not to poke themselves with the sticks, kabobs of any sort are fun to create and cook as necessary. There is no right or wrong way to assemble them, so kids can use their imaginations, and parents can encourage kids to try new foods by combining them on kabobs with beloved mainstays.

Meat kabobs can include a variety of meat and seafood ingredients or just one protein.

Fruit kabobs dipped in yogurt are a healthy, no-cook alternative.

English Muffin Pizzas

English muffin pizzas are super simple to create and a great way to give children more hands-on experience in the kitchen. Sauces, cheeses, meats, and vegetables are the condiments added to customize them. Pop them in the toaster oven for ten minutes, and enjoy some tasty homemade personal pizzas!

Tacos

Parents cook the meat and allow the kids to do the rest. Kids could choose soft flour tacos or hard tacos, then fill those casings with tomatoes, onions, cheese, avocado, sour cream, salsa, corn, and black beans. It’s fun for children to try all sorts of combinations! 

Brookies (also known as Brownie Cookies)

If you have brownie mix and cookie dough lying around your house, kids can make brookies. Add a spoonful of brownie mix and a chunk of cookie dough to the muffin liner and bake. Again, creativity is welcomed here—the cookie dough can be any flavor, and it can go on the bottom or the top after the prepared brownie mix is spooned into the muffin tin.

No-Bake Peanutty Oat Treats

This recipe is a kid-favorite, courtesy of Quaker Oats Canada.

Peanut butter and oats are the main ingredients, but beyond that, it’s all about imagination! This recipe can additionally include dried cranberries, raisins, coconut, chocolate chips, and even healthy ingredients like wheat germ or flaxseed. Different varieties of peanut butter can also be used; chunky, creamy, or natural. Almond butter works, too!

Much like Play-doh, after the ingredients are mixed, kids can get their hands in the bowl and form the cookie balls. It’s hands-on fun that will have your kids feeling like chefs!