It's almost September and time to get back into the same old routine — making lunches, packing bags and running out the door in the morning. To ease the stress of making lunches, you might want to consider getting your kids more involved in the process. You might think that's crazy, as it can sometimes feel like extra work to have kids "help" in the kitchen. But with practice, they'll learn, and those extra minutes spent explaining and cleaning up will pay off over time. Plus, kids are far more likely to eat something when they've had a hand in making it.
Pro tip: Getting a few child-appropriate tools can be really helpful. If you’re dealing with preschoolers, these awesome nylon knives are sharp enough to cut veggies but safe enough for small hands (with supervision). Give them a chopping board and start with something simple, such as hard-boiled eggs or cucumbers. You’ll be surprised how much pride they take in their work!
1. Garden veggie pasta salad
This colorful pasta salad is a real kid-pleaser. The recipe calls for a jar of store-bought dressing, but you can easily mix together a homemade dressing with your kids. (Learning how to make a simple French vinaigrette is a valuable life skill!) This delicious salad is packed with raw veggies that the kids can help chop.
2. Power pinwheels
Summer strawberries, fresh spinach and avocado might seem like a strange combination, but it works. It's also a great way to motivate your kids to eat raw spinach. This recipe doubles down on greens with a spinach wrap. The kids can help put it all together.
3. Better than sammies
Sure, your kid can probably make a sandwich, but these sandwich kabobs are much more fun to make and eat. Have your kids help you prep the components and then let them assemble their own sandwich kabob. Use lots of colorful tomatoes and greens to encourage them to eat more veggies.
4. Quick chicken delights
These loaded chicken tostadas with beans and guacamole are as easy to make as it gets. Your kids can help mash the avocado, grate the cheese and assemble all of the layers. It's also a great recipe to use up leftover grilled chicken.
5. Go Greek
These tasty pita pizzas are ready in minutes. They're made with healthy whole grain pitas and topped with hummus and chopped veggies. Ask the kids to help make the simple dressing, chop some of the veggies and assemble the pizzas.
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Editor’s note: This article was originally published in September 2019, and updated in August 2022.
