Summer break for stay-at-home moms means feeding the kids can take up a good portion of the day. To keep summer kids meals simple, I typically stick to a rotation of foods. However, that can get quite monotonous – to the point I might flip a table if I have to make another PB&J.
If at any time you find yourself feeling particularly table-flippy, work one of these ideas into your summer lunch schedules. Sometimes summer kids meals can be about enjoying the overall experience as much as enjoying the food.
Matinee Menu
Blah weekdays are reenergized with an at-home lunchtime matinee, complete with the food menu: popcorn, nachos, hotdogs, drink combos, and even candy. Make whichever theater foods, drinks, treats, and snacks you have on-hand, gather your plates, your kids, and watch a movie together on your *big screen.* If I’m feeling extra cute, I’ll rename the foods on-theme with our movie.
Leaning Tower of Sandwich
The Leaning Tower of Sandwich {an actual place} is the unhinged relative of the club sandwich. And like its namesake, the tower of Pisa, it’s not staying completely vertical. Think: Layers. But keep going. Though we are stacking this sandwich high, we’re not elevating a meal like the chefs do. We’re making it weird.
To make:
- Pull out every sandwich ingredient in your kitchen. Meats, cheeses, greens, condiments, spreads, breads. Allow two slices of bread per kid.
- Make a favorite sandwich between two slices of bread. Leave no ingredients behind. Then cut diagonally or vertically.
- Stack one half on the other, adding more toppings between the two innermost bread slices et voila! The tower.
- Add skewers to keep the Leaning Tower of Sandwich stacked, or let it fall to keep it silly.
Elevenses {aka Brunch}
In my world, I need no special occasion to enjoy Elevenses – what I have come to call Brunch. Any and every day of summer break can be special. And any meal that requires minimal thought and preparation is most certainly special. My kids enjoy breakfast foods at all times of day, and even with a first breakfast, they’d do it again at lunchtime. Sometimes we make animals or creatures with our foods. Our typical at-home brunch menu includes any combination of:
- Scrambled eggs
- Bacon or sausage
- Toast, waffles, or pancakes
- Fruit
- Smoothies
- Yogurt or chia pudding with granola
- Overnight oats
CharCUTErie
Emphasis on CUTE; not a schmancy charcuterie by any stretch. One of my kids’ favorite easy meals. While I call it a charcuterie, they know it as a “Mommy Lunchable.”
To make:
- Use a platter, cutting board, or large serving dish.
- On the dish, create rows of deli goodies: meats, cheeses, crackers, nuts, fruits, vegetables, dips, other finger foods.
- Serve it family-style and let the kids build their own plates.
Rocket Kebabs
Thankfully, these rockets require no science. To make: Grab some skewers and recreate a charcuterie in kebab form. Let the kids get as creative as they like sliding meats, cheeses, fruits, and veggies onto the skewers to build their rockets. Serve over a smoke cloud of mashed potatoes. Pro tip: A strawberry makes a great top for the rocket.
Mores Fun Ideas for Mealtime
Pick a fruit and vegetable of the week. At every grocery store visit, or once a week, have the kids pick one new fruit and one new vegetable to try. Go in alphabetical order, by color, or by produce family. Together, come up with ways to prepare the fruits and vegetables, and keep track of what you all like or dislike. Hopefully new favorites can be discovered.
Skip the plate. Surprise your kids with a plateless meal on parchment paper. It’s one of the simplest ways to make mealtime more engaging, if not used too often. My kids love the freedom of a large eating space, and I appreciate the cleanup!
