You always want to have some kid-friendly snacks on hand. You never know when your grandchildren are going to show up. They are seemingly always hungry! Cooking for your grandchildren doesn't have to be stressful; it can be downright fun. With a few recipes under your belt, you'll always have something on hand to feed your angels (or devils, we don’t judge here). Kids love simple, flavorful food with familiar ingredients. You won't win them over with a beef wellington or anything that features too many flavor profiles. Save anything too adult for the book club or your weekly bridge game. Read on for a breakdown of light snack ideas and easy dinners for hungry kiddos that will delight them!
Make sure you always check with their parents to make sure they don't have any allergies, as some of these recipes contain nuts or nut products. Many recipes, like pizza or quesadillas, can be customized depending on what your grandchildren like. If a topping isn't on the list, feel free to include it! Many adult toppings like mushrooms or green peppers won't appeal to little palettes but there's no reason that you can't make alterations to suit the adults in the group. Have fun with it and don't be afraid to experiment.
Snacks In A Snap
Kiddos love to munch on snacks while they're watching television or playing outside. You can make these ones in minutes, as long as you have some basic ingredients on hand. These very simple recipes are also great for surprise visits when you haven't had time to prepare.
Ants On A Log
You'll Need:
- Celery Sticks
- Peanut Butter
- Raisins
Simply cut the celery into kid sized bites. Spread the peanut butter on them. Top the sticks with raisins and you have Ants On A Log!
Homemade Trail Mix
You'll Need
- Mixed Nuts
- M&Ms
- Raisins
- Dried Banana Chips
- Anything Else You'd Like!
Use your imagination! Homemade Trail Mix is easy. All you need to do is mix together some yummy ingredients in a bowl and you're done.
Cheese And Crackers
You'll Need:
- Cheese
- Crackers
Slice the cheese and serve with crackers. This is not so much a recipe as a kid approved must have snack.
Dinners That Will Delight
When your grandchildren are over, the last thing you need is to be slaving away in the kitchen. These recipes can be made in a flash and are sure to satisfy even the pickiest appetite.
Quesadillas With All The Fixings
You'll Need:
- Tortillas
- Butter
- Blend of cheeses
- Chicken
- Ground Beef
- Tomato
- Lettuce
- Black Olives
- Salsa
- Sour Cream
Heat a pan on the burner and add some butter. When it's hot, put one tortilla in the pan and fill it with the fixings of your choice. Each quesadilla can be different. Butter the other tortilla and place it on the top. After a minute, flip it and brown the other side. Slice and serve with salsa and sour cream.
Pizza
You'll Need:
- Pizza dough
- Marinara spaghetti sauce
- Mozzarella cheese blend
- Pepperoni
- Crumbled sausage
- Green peppers
- Onions
- Olives
- Mushrooms
What kid doesn't love pizza! Preheat your oven to 375 and spread marinara sauce on your prepared dough. Sprinkle on your cheese and toppings and bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is brown and bubbly and the crust is crisp. Feel free to make your pizza half and half- half for the grandchildren and half for you!
Homemade Macaroni And Cheese
You'll Need:
- Cooked elbow pasta
- 4 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp flour
- 2 cups of milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 cups assorted cheeses (shredded)
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and mix your ingredients in a casserole dish. Choose the cheeses that the grandkids like the most. Make sure there's an extra layer of cheese on the top because it will get nice and crispy! Bake for 45 minutes.
Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup
You'll Need:
- Bread
- Butter
- Cheese slices
- Canned Tomato Soup
- Milk
Here's an easy one that's sure to please! Use the bread, butter and cheese slices to make grilled cheese sandwiches. While they're cooking, prepare your soup. Instead of adding water, add milk for a creamier consistency!
- Q: How do I know if my grandchildren will like the recipes in this article?
A: These recipes are all kid-tested, but if you're unsure, you should check with their parents to find out about any preferences. It's also important to make sure they don't have any allergies to nuts or nut products before serving certain snack recipes.
- Q: Will these recipes freeze well?
A: Homemade Macaroni And Cheese will freeze well but the others should be made the day of for the best results.
- Q: Can my grandchildren help me make these recipes?
A: Absolutely! Just take care of any chopping and flipping of quesadillas and sandwiches yourself. Kids can mix ingredients and make no-bake snacks, like trail mix or ants on a log.
- Q: Where do I get the ingredients?
A: Every recipe in this guide is very simple and the ingredients are at any supermarket.
- Q: Where can I get more recipe ideas?
A: Pinterest is a great place to look for recipe ideas, as are websites like Delish Kids.
- Q: Are these recipes appropriate for camping, or taking in the car?
A: Every snack is completely portable, but as the dinners are hot, it's best to eat them at home.
