Meal planning! UGH!!
Some moms cringe and others totally love doing it. I fall someplace in the middle – I enjoy meal planning when I have time to make the plan.
Try including kids in meal plans and prep and you might think it can get challenging. And it can, but with family meals as an anchor in your day, it is the perfect opportunity to laugh and learn together.
The idea of including kids in the kitchen can seem overwhelming. I might have even lost a reader or two…HA!
But hopefully not because I am going to show you some quick and easy ways to include your kids in meal plans and prep.
My family needs to eat 3 meals a day (most days anyway) and that means I need to have some sort of plan. Flying by the seat of my pants makes meal times so much more challenging. Girl has got to have a plan. In fact, one of my daughters asks me what’s for dinner pretty much every day! If I don’t have an answer she will quickly suggest we go out to eat. Nice try, sweetie.
As an uber planner, it isn’t too hard for me to get the plan going. The problem I run into, is that no matter what the mealtime or the meal is, there is usually one child who won’t eat it. What I discovered is that by getting their input and participation in the planning and prep they are open to new food ideas. Eureka!!
KITCHEN CHEF/HELPER
The first thing we implemented in our home was to set up a kitchen chef/helper rotation. Each child has one day of the week when they are included in the meal plans and preparation for that day. They get to select which meal they would like to cook for – usually lunch or dinner. Then they determine what they are going to make for the family.
It is a fun idea to get a personalized apron for the helper of the day. There are also some really cute chef coats and hats that will add to the responsibility.
MEAL PLANS
Weekends is when we set up our meal plans. Typically on Sunday, I will sit with our Family Menu and ask each child what meals they are considering for the coming week. One by one they sit with me and plan a complete meal.
Lunch or Dinner are the two meals that they can plan for. Since each child has their favorite meals, they often go to those first – like my 10 year old loves meatballs so it is his first pick. Here is where I get to help them by suggesting other meals and side options that I know they like or would enjoy making.
Since you know the family best, your input is critical since it helps each child to consider the likes of everyone. They begin trying to make meals with options that their family will enjoy and not just themselves. Great learning opportunity here!!
Together you get to choose a simple balanced meal and determine what items and ingredients will be needed. If you have time and feel ambitious, you can also calculate the cost of the meals. This is a great chance to give your kids a feel for creating and sticking to a budget.
Need some quick meal ideas?
Since learning goes hand-in-hand with cooking, try one of these books! Math, science, and just fun food prep is better with a book!
MEAL PREP
On their day to be the Kitchen Helper, they get to run the show from start to finish. When the time comes for their meal – lunch or dinner – they join you in the kitchen and get going. Mom’s role is to direct, instruct, and supervise while they do 75-90% of the preparation.
My older kids will do a bit more than the younger ones, but the meals they have selected are within their capacity to pretty much complete.
In addition to the planning and prepping, the child gets to:
- set the table
- provide drinks to the family
- serve the meal
- clean up!!
Teaching them to “clean as they cook” is a great skill that we definitely weave in. However, there is usually additional items to put away, clean off, wash, or toss.
Related Post: Easy Chore Card System Even Kids Love
The absolute greatest reward I see from including my kids in meal plans and prep is the compliments they give each other. As they are sitting at the table one child will tell the “chef” how great the meal is and that they did a great job. “Thank you’s” and “you’re welcome’s” fly around with them all showing gratitude. This is building tremendous confidence in them. All this while also learning the value of service.
Including kids in meal plans and prep is a simple way to grow family relationships. Around the table at mealtimes is where we bond, laugh and grow. Add in giving thanks to God for all we have, and that brings such great comfort and connection around a meal. Having the kids part of the meal process will give them healthy skills to last a lifetime.
This book “The Lifegiving Table: Nurturing Faith through Feasting, One Meal at a Time” by Sally Clarkson is a great resource to inspire family mealtimes.
Not sure what to make? Head to this post for simple ideas: 6 Quick Meals for Busy Nights!
Let me know how your plans and prep went!
How do you include your family in mealtimes? Do you have some simple meals that you keep pantry ingredients on hand for? Share your favorite go-to’s in the comments!!
Best,
