In need of some good kids meals

[DeBora4BobbyL]

My GKs come over quite a bit and I get in a rut as to what to prepare for them for dinner. I've got breakfasts and lunches figured out. But, when it comes to the main meal, I am at a loss. I want meals that are nutritious. I've got chicken quesadillas, which I can sneak in healthy items. I also have flips, chicken nuggets that I can make myself, and mac and cheese that I can also make myself. These kids are used to eating out all the time, so they are very picky. Any ideas?

[blessedmomof04]

My kids are teenagers and now eat more kinds of foods. But some ideas that use to work for my picky kids besides the ones you listed. Was homemade pizzas. I also use to use Thomas English muffins for the crust. Each kid could make there own. We use to make pigs in the blanket. Those are the hot dogs and cresent rolls. I use to make wax beans and melt velvetta cheese over it. It was a way of getting them to eat veggies and not realize they were. I will keep thinking and bring back some other ideas.

[cat lover]

Here are a few ideas that might work for you.

Cheeseburgers
pickles
sliced tomatoes with their favorite dressing
ice cream

Meat balls and rice
carrot sticks
ice cream sundae
milk

broiled chicken
noodles
their favorite vegetable
pudding cup

roast beef in gravy
mashed potatos
stewed tomaotes
jello with whipped topping

cream of tomato soup
grilled cheese
celery sticks
slice of pie
milk

baked beans and hot dogs
fresh veggies & dip
chips
milk

mac and cheese
corn
cucumbers with salad dressing
pudding
milk


scrambled eggs with hot dogs
fried potatoes
green beans
carrot sticks
cookies

spaghetti with sauce
wedge of lettuce with dressing
pudding


egg salad sandwich
pickles
chips
cookies

bologna-cheese sandwich
banana
chocolate milk
raisins

salami-cream cheese rolls ups
carrot sticks with dip
cup cakes
milk

cheese eggs on toast (open face sandwich)
fruit ****tail
hot cocoa

chicken noodle soup
hot dog
pudding
milk

Hope some of this will give you some ideas!

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Thanks for the ideas so far. I have some of these ideas such as pigs in the blanket, mac and cheese, and pizza. Since their daddy works at a pizza place and that is all they eat when they are home, I have avoided feeding them pizza. I guess I could make them a cream sauce pizza instead of a red sauce pizza.

Other ideas that I have accumulated is fish sticks, putting diced spam or ham in the mac and cheese, and mini-hamburgers in dinner rolls and let them pile on their own stuff inside. My DGD is on a pineapple kick. I have chipotles, which I think would taste good on my burger with the pineapple.

Keep the ideas coming.

[Vrsherren]

How old are your grandkids? Are they old enough to help cook? My grandkids aquired included used to like to help cook.
Example:
Pigs in blanket
Grand style biscuits
beef hotdogs
cheddar cheese (sliced)
mustard ketchup

Press the biscuit, add slice of cheese, hot dog and wrap around sealing edges. I put them in the oven and they set the table. Then I take them out,they eat.

I usually have ranch dressing and carrot sticks or another veggie. They all like ranch dressing and will eat whatever they can dip in it.

As they have gotten older, we have moved on to pies, cakes, cookies and roast, chicken (in a crockpot too). Seems if they help cook it they loveto eat it.

[DeBora4BobbyL]

I have tried to get the kids to try the pigs in the blanket, but DGD said she has had them at school and they were yucky. I told her that most of the cafeteria food is yucky and that she should try Nana's Pigs in the Blanket. So, we are having them tomorrow night.

[VicRae]

Perhaps you could have them help make some
fruit Kabobs; strawberries, bananas, pineapple chunks, grapes, apples threaded on wooden skrewers. Serve with a creamy dip.
some precooked meat kabobs with Cheese and pineapple chunks, bell peppers largely chopped of different colors.
Fruit salads-Apples chopped, raisens, chopped celery and chopped walnuts with some whipped salad dressing.
Watermelon, honey dew, canaloupe, strawberries and grapes.
Or mix some of the fruits they like together.
Jello molded with fruit and whip creme topping
Mini pudding pies or dirt pudding cups.
Ice cream bars
Pita pockets with cubed meats and shredded lettuce with favorite dressings
Small submarine sandwiches with french fries. Make the sandwiches with Hot Dog buns.
Apple slices with carmel sauce.
Another sandwich is a Hot dog bun spread with peanut butter and use a peeled banana instead of the franks.
Hope these will help you with some creative ideas.
Vicky

[DeBora4BobbyL]

VicRae, I hadn't thought about Kabobs! I like that idea, whether fruit or meats and veggies. As long as there is a dip, I think the kids would enjoy it. LOL

It is the main dish that I am having the most problems with. I know they like practically all fruits and I know what veggies they like. It's the main dish that I struggle with. Tomorrow, we are trying pigs in the blanket even though DGD told me she's had them at school and didn't like them.

[lindaljh1]

My girls love:
spaghetti, garlic bread, and a salad or veggies dipped in ranch dressing

tacos, I let them add the lettuce, cheese, and tomato, served with refried beans which they love to put in their tacos.

home made burritos made with cheese and beans, with or without meat

toasted or grilled cheese and ham sandwiches with soup

chicken, fried or baked, with mashed potatoes and corn or green beans

Sloppy Joe's, hamburger cooked with tomato sauce and spices (Mexican or Italian) served on hamburger buns

Little meat loaves, they hate meatloaf but if I make them small they think it is a great treat, especially if I let them frost their loaf with ketchup

Chili goulash, heat 2 cans of chili, a can of corn, and a can of stewed tomatoes (put through a blender if they don't like tomatoes), serve with corn bread.

You can add shredded zucchini to spaghetti, chili, meatloaf, and soups for added nutrition that they can't taste.

My girls love baked potatoes, we add chili and cheese to make a meal or top with broccoli and cheese. Kids will eat anything if you melt cheese over it!

Love & Prayers,
Linda