Coming up with ideas for what to feed the kids from breakfast through dinner (and those snack times in between!) can feel like such a challenge. To help, here are 7 days worth of healthy kids meal ideas for some inspiration.

sample-day-of-kids-food-in-grid

Kids Meal Ideas

I know firsthand how it can often feel like you’re totally out of ideas for what to make the kids each day. The endlessness of feeding a family is real! Thankfully, I also know that simply seeing new ideas can help bust any of us out of a rut—so these seven sample days worth of kids meal ideas are here to help.

I’ve included a breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner for each day of a sample week. These are real meals and foods that I’ve served to my middle kiddo when she was two years old, so know that you may need to adjust the specifics of how a food is served or the serving size for your own child.

(You can also find some of my go-to shortcut toddler recipes here.)

TIP: I hope this is implied, but OF COURSE sub in similar prepared or purchased foods if and when you can’t make everything homemade.

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How to Plan Kids Meals Step-by-Step

Before we jump into the specifics of each meal, here are a few tips to keep in mind when it comes to planning out kids meals.

  1. Aim for variety over the course of the day and the week. Some days your kids may want more of one food group and that’s okay if you adjust what comes on days after to help balance their nutrition without forcing them to eat certain foods.
  2. Trust that your child knows their own hunger levels and don’t push extra bites if they truly aren’t hungry. (They’re the only ones in their bodies!)
  3. Stick to a set schedule of meal times and aim to avoid letting them graze in between. This is the best way to ensure that they’ll actually be hungry for meals. Adjust the schedule if the kids are consistently hungry before it’s time—or try an easy appetizer of raw fruits or veggies before dinner if that helps.
  4. Depending on where your kiddo is with growth, hunger, and activity level, they may need or want a bedtime snack. That’s okay as long as they aren’t skipping dinner to get to a snack they prefer. If that’s happening, make the bedtime snack super boring—like a banana! Or save the rest of their dinner and offer it to them if they say they’re hungry before bed.

TIP: Keep the personality of your child in mind and adjust any advice accordingly. Every kiddo is unique and may react differently to different scenarios. There’s no perfect here!

healthy kids meals in grid with 5 images

Kids Meal Ideas: Day 1

Swap in leftover homemade pancakes from the weekend or pick up a low sugar frozen waffle. I like Kashi or Vans brand.

TIP: Each day should include an iron-rich source to help kids get enough of that nutrient.

Recipes to Try

Favorite Banana Oatmeal Pancakes
Very ripe (with brown spots) bananas will give these Banana Oatmeal Pancakes the best flavor. Dice them up or serve whole, according to how the kids prefer to eat them.
Get the recipe
Oatmeal banana pancakes on plate with banana slices.
Easy Homemade Granola Bars
We like to have these granola bars as a snack or toddler breakfast with milk or a smoothie—and they're an excellent lunch box component too. You can make them plain or choose a flavor to add!
Get the recipe
stack-of-homemade-granola-bars
Favorite Pizza Rolls (with Spinach and Cheese)
Be sure to grease your pan well and roll the dough up fairly tightly around the fillings for best results. (But it's okay if they don't look perfect when they go into the pan!) 
Get the recipe
pizza-rolls-on-kids-plate
Strawberry Smoothie with Veggies
Make the simple base recipe or try one of the variations with a veggie and more nutrient-dense add-ins. All are delicious! Freeze the banana ahead of time.
Get the recipe
strawberry-smoothie-in-cups-on-counter
Easy Broccoli Pesto (for Pasta and Pizza)
This will likely make enough for two meals. You can freeze the leftovers for a future meal. (This recipe was updated to improve the taste and method in April 2019.)
Get the recipe
broccoli pesto on spaghetti in blue bowl with pink fork

healthy-kids-meals-day-2

Kids Meal Ideas: Day 2

Sub in yogurt with granola if that’s easier for you to pull together for breakfast. The muffins work well to make ahead and stash in the fridge to use throughout the week (and into the freezer for future weeks).

TIP: If your kiddo is hungrier for afternoon snack, add something else to go with the applesauce such as whole grain cereal, crackers, or a cheese stick.

Recipes to Try

Overnight Oats with Yogurt and Berries
This overnight oats recipe makes two toddler-size breakfast portions (or 1 mama-size serving). Double it to make additional servings. 
Get the recipe
overnight-oats-with-yogurt-in-containers
Sweet Spinach Muffins with Banana
These healthy muffins taste like a delicious banana muffin, but with the added nutrition of a big handful of spinach. These store well, so you can make them ahead of time and pull them out of the fridge or freezer to serve.
Get the recipe
spinach banana muffins on pink plate
Easy Strawberry Applesauce
You can use any type of apple you like in this recipe.
Get the recipe
strawberry applesauce in white bowls
Favorite Vegetarian Lentil Soup
With a quick method and a variety of vegetables packed into the soup, this vegetarian Lentil Soup is a perfect weeknight family dinner—especially when you're craving comfort food.
Get the recipe
bowl of vegetarian lentil soup.
Easy Cornbread Muffins
Moist and nutritious, these healthy cornmeal muffins are an easy side, quick breakfast, or yummy snack.
Get the recipe
maple corn muffins

healthy-kids-meals-day-3

Kids Meal Ideas: Day 3

Add 1/2-1 cup of milk to each main meal if desired to round out the nutrients in the day. (It’s okay if your child doesn’t love or drink milk though. They just need 2-3 servings of dairy a day to meet their calcium needs.)

TIP: Sub in freezer waffles or toast for the French Toast if that’s easier for you!

Recipes to Try

Baked Banana French Toast Sticks
You can use any sliced bread that you like. I typically use whole grain or sourdough. You can also bake full slices of bread, then cut into sticks with kitchen scissors. See Notes for allergy-substitutions.
Get the recipe
baked-french-toast-sticks-on-plate-with-bananas
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Balls
These no-bake bites taste like a cross between oatmeal raisin and peanut butter cookie dough. I use natural creamy peanut butter (like the kind from Smuckers), and it works really well.
Get the recipe
peanut-butter-oatmeal-energy-balls
Healthy Strawberry Muffins
With fresh berries and a burst of lemon, these healthy Strawberry Muffins are a delicious and nutritious breakfast or snack to share with the kids.
Get the recipe
healthy strawberry muffins on cooling rack.
Easy Baked Chicken Tenders
These crispy Chicken Tenders are fast and versatile. To make these with panko breadcrumbs, use 1 cup and stir ¼ teaspoon salt into the flour before you dredge the chicken.
Get the recipe
crispy baked chicken tenders on white and blue plate
Easy Cheesy Rice (with Veggies!)
Choose one veggie to add from the flavor options below according to what you have on hand or what your family likes best.
Get the recipe
cheesy rice 4 ways with veggies

healthy-kids-meals-day-four

Kids Meal Ideas: Day 4

If you want to try a genius shortcut for the eggs, try cooking them in 30 seconds in the microwave!

TIP: I try to make veggies taste good to me before I serve them to my kids, so add seasoning, sauces, and dips as needed to make sure they are yummy!

Recipes to Try

How to Make Eggs in the Microwave
You can season the cooked egg with a little salt, butter or cheese if you’d like, but it’s very good as is. See the Note about the heat setting when cooking in a microwave.
Get the recipe
microwave-eggs-on-blue-kids-plate
Easy Cheese Crackers Recipe
Mix up this easy-to-work-with cracker dough, then let the kids help roll and cut their way to the yummiest homemade cheese crackers recipe. These crackers have whole grains and a delightfully crisp texture. So good!
Get the recipe
cheese-crackers-on-white-plates
Easy Beet Hummus
This brightly colored hummus is a delicious spread for crackers, toast, or sandwiches. Or it can be served as a dip. You can omit the tahini if needed for an allergy.
Get the recipe
beet hummus on blue plate with crackers
Vegetarian Quesadillas with Beans and Cheese
You can make as few or as many of these easy quesadillas as you like.
Get the recipe
cut up vegetarian quesadillas for kids on plate

healthy-kids-meals-day-five

Kids Meal Ideas: Day 5

You can make the oatmeal cups ahead, or try this Blueberry Baked Oatmeal that’s a great breakfast for the whole family.

TIP: Add a simple snack before bed if needed.

Recipes to Try

Baked Oatmeal Cups
Transform plain oats into a yummy and easy-to-eat finger food with this baked oatmeal cups recipe. You can double the recipe to make more if desired.
Get the recipe
baked-oatmeal-cups-on-plate
Healthy Breakfast Bars with Jam
Use Sunbutter to make these nut-free. You can cut these into smaller bars if desired. If you want them a little softer, serve them at room temperature rather than chilled.
Get the recipe
breakfast-bars-on-white-cutting-board
Easy Snack Dinner (to Share with the Kids!)
You can do a big family-style platter or individual ones for the kids depending on your preference. Add anything else that sounds appealing and know that the nutrition info will vary according to what you use.
Get the recipe
family-style-snack-plate
Favorite Mango Smoothie Recipe
This fresh Mango Smoothie is thin enough to drink through a straw and thick enough to eat with a spoon. And of course, it's super creamy!
Get the recipe
mango smoothie in cups lined up on counter
One-Pot Lentils and Rice
Serve this easy family meal with optional toppings according to what everyone likes.
Get the recipe
kids-bowl-lentils-and-rice

healthy kids meal sample day with 3 meals and 2 snacks

Kids Meal Ideas: Day 6

I like to make a batch of healthy muffins every week or so to make sure I always have some in the freezer for quick snacks.

TIP: You can quickly cut up noodles for kids with a pair of kitchen shears.

Recipes to Try

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal with Raisins
You can double this recipe to make a larger batch to warm up and serve throughout the week.
Get the recipe
apple-oatmeal-in-white-bowls
Sugar-Free Banana Muffins
Be sure to use very ripe bananas (with lots of brown spots!) for the best flavor and natural sweetness. (I updated this recipe December 2020 to ensure the most reliable results. The original version of this recipe is the “Egg-free” option in the Notes if you loved that. In the main recipe, I reduced the oil, added an egg, increased the baking soda a smidge, and reduced the baking time. They’re great!)
Get the recipe
sugar-free-banana-muffins-on-pink-towel
Veggie Grilled Cheese Sandwich (to Share with the Kids)
With just 4 ingredients, including a veggie that blends right in, this Veggie Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a yummy kids lunch to share. It packs extra nutrition in the filling, yet only takes a few minutes to make. Such a great easy meal!
Get the recipe
veggie-grilled-cheese-on-plate
20-Minute Stir Fry Noodles
Try this quick family dinner the next time you're craving fresh comfort food—and want to please the entire family! You can add a protein to this dish if you'd like. See the Notes for options.
Get the recipe
stir fry noodles with vegetables

healthy-kids-meals-day-7

Kids Meal Ideas: Day 7

Green smoothies are a great way to add a lot of nutrients to a snack. Serve it in a cup or a reusable pouch.

TIP: Add a side of fruit to dinner if needed/preferred.

Recipes to Try

Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
You can use peanut butter, almond butter, or Sunbutter in this recipe. Choose creamy unsweetened if possible.
Get the recipe
breakfast-cookies-on-white-plate
Simple Green Smoothie
Frozen bananas give the smoothie a creamy, naturally sweet base, though you can make this with a fresh banana as long as the other fruit is frozen. It’s easy to add whatever berries or fruit you have on hand, so customize it for your kiddo. 
Get the recipe
green-smoothie-in-glass
How to Make Kids Salad (They’ll Actually Want to Eat)
Here’s a look at basic templates for making kid-friendly salads. Pick and choose the ingredients you like! (Nutrition info will vary according to the ingredients you use.)
Get the recipe
kids-salad-on-white-plate
Chocolate Protein Muffins (With Veggies!)
These simple blender muffins pack a serious nutrition punch and are dairy-free, with a nut-free option. I prefer the flavor of these once they are fully cooled and chilled in the fridge.
Get the recipe
healthy chocolate muffins cooling on wire rack
Easy Instant Pot Butter Chicken
Forget takeout—deliver this popular Indian dish to your table instead. Shredded chicken thighs are coated in a rich, buttery sauce with hints of tomatoes, ginger, and garam masala—a messy but very flavorful finger food. Adapted from The Multi-Cooker Baby Food Cookbook.
Get the recipe
instant-pot-butter-chicken

Sample Kids Meal Plan

If you’re struggling with when to offer foods and how to time them around activities and snacks, this sample schedule and meal plan will help to give you some ideas.

Tips for Making Family Meals Work for Everyone

Learn more about my overall approach to feeding kids—yet serve the same meal to everyone at the table—in this post on the Division of Responsibility. 

happy-family-meals-spiral-bound

Happy Family Meals

My full service meal planning system, Happy Family Meals, is here to take some of the work out of feeding your family. It’s an easy to use 4-week meal plan with menus, grocery lists, and helpful hints.

It contains weekly menus built on “themes” so you can easily make your own meal plans in future weeks. It’s so helpful for streamlining family meals.

Related Recipes


I’d love to hear what your toddler’s favorite meal is right now—or which meal gives you the biggest trouble!

This post was first published August 2018.

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Comments

  1. the Kid’s salad is good! really helps nutrition. and the other recipes too, tried them yesterday especially the muffins. it’s so good!

  2. I know this is for little kids but I love making these recipes. I am 12 and sometimes I cant decide what to eat, so I look at this. I enjoy making the recipes they are very good and fun to make! Its fun to look and see what you are going to eat today! You should make a month of teen recipes!

  3. I like how you mentioned that it can be challenging to figure out what to feed your kids from breakfast to dinner. My wife is thinking of getting kids healthy eating habit books because she’s considering changing what our children eat so they’ll make healthier food choices throughout their childhood. I think it’s a good idea for my wife to consider buying books from a reputable author that can help teach us what to feed our children to help them grow strong and healthy.