5 Kids' Meals (That Kids Can Help Make)
Today, Jules shares 5 kids' meals that kids can help make:
I always encourage my kids to help in the kitchen. It's good training for them (think eventual meal and snack time independence!). It offers a fun activity for us to do together. And it helps us get to a necessary end goal. Here are five tried and true household favorites that are easy to knock together, nutritious, and amenable to little helping hands.
1. Turkey and veggie spirals. Spread a tortilla with a thin layer of mayo or cream cheese. Top with cucumber, tomato, and pepper slices (or whatever veggies they will eat). Roll up tortilla, pressing down firmly as you go. Cut spiraled tortilla into chunks. *Kids can help with the spreading, layering, and rolling.
2. Waffle and fruit kebabs. Cut waffles into small circles using cookie cutters or use mini waffles. Make kebabs alternating waffles with strawberries, blueberries, and other favorite fruit. Serve with syrup. Breakfast of champions! *Kids can help cut the waffles with a cookie cutter and assemble kebabs. Just be sure to warn about sharp cookie cutter edges and pointy skewer ends.
3. Chicken nugget kebabs. Cut skinless chicken breast halves into 1-1/2 to 2-inch pieces. Roll chicken in bread crumbs or finely crushed corn flakes and shake off excess. Bake for about 15 minutes at 375 degrees until cooked through. Allow to cool and then assemble skewers, alternating chicken with tomatoes, avocado, pineapple, and cheese cubes. Serve plain or with condiments (e.g., ranch dressing, BBQ sauce). *Kids can help assemble skewers and lay out the condiments.
4. Fancy banana dogs. Peel banana and coat with honey. Spread your favorite natural peanut butter on one side of a toasted hot dog bun and jelly on other side. Quickly sauté banana in butter until it turns golden brown. Place banana on hot dog bun and serve. *Kids can help with the spreading and serving.
5. Sweet popcorn bars. OK, this one isn't exactly a meal but there are lots of good nutrients! Heat a 1/2 cup of honey in a large saucepan until it begins to simmer. Add 2/3 cup of creamy natural peanut butter (or almond butter) to the pan. In a separate bowl mix 1 cup of natural, low fat granola + 1/2 cup of peanuts + 1/2 cup dried cranberries. Add to peanut butter mixture. Stir well and mix in 3 cups of plain popcorn. Pour mixture into a square pan and press down with spatula and refrigerate for about 30 minutes. Remove and cut into squares. *Kids can help mix the dry and wet ingredients and press the mixture down with a spatula in the pan.
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