Plan a kid-friendly cookout that the whole family will love. 5 easy tips from a nutritionist + mom of four, plus a simple menu and kid-approved drink ideas.
Planning a kid-friendly cookout this summer? Whether it’s a 4th of July party, a backyard birthday, or a random Tuesday when half the neighborhood ends up in your backyard, feeding a crowd of little ones (and their grown-ups) doesn’t have to be complicated.
I’ve hosted my share of cookouts as a registered dietitian and mom of four, and here’s what I’ve learned: the secret isn’t a perfect Pinterest spread. It’s a little planning and a few simple swaps that keep the kids happy AND allow you to really enjoy your own party. Here are my top 5 tips for kid-friendly cooking that’s easy.
An easy kid-friendly cooking menu
You don’t need a separate “kids menu” — that’s the beauty of a cookout. Set out a spread and let everyone make their own dish. (This is my same-dinner-different-dish approach in action: the same food, just cooked the way each kid likes it.) Here’s a simple recipe to get you started:
Core network (choice 1–2)
- Hamburger or turkey burger with toppings bar
- Hot dogs or chicken sausages — cut into “coins” for little hands
- Grilled chicken skewers
- Grilled cheese quesadillas for the discerning crowd
Easy sides
- Corn on the cob
- Pasta salad or a simple green salad
- Veggie Dip Cups — grab and go and a lot more fun
- Watermelon and a big bowl of fresh fruit
Fun for the kids
- Fruit kabobs or watermelon on a stick
- Make your own dessert station (let them decorate – the adults will too)
- Need more information? Take a moment and check out one of my favorite posts: 50 meal and snack ideas for kids
Soft drinks
- Water and flavored water, front and center on hot days
- A children’s “mocktail”: 100% juice or lemonade with frozen fruit ice cubes
5 Cooking Tips for Kids
1. Make recipes that appeal to both adults and children. Why make more work for yourself when it comes to cooking and cleaning? No need! So I look for easy recipes that I know both kids and adults will enjoy. Lately I’ve been getting a lot of our recipes from my friends at the Healthy Family Project. They have a new FREE e-cookbook, Simply Summer: 20 Fresh Cooking Favorites, filled with fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables! Even if you’re not hosting a summer cookout, you should download the cookbook and try PB&J Popsicles. It’s Joey’s new favorite!
2. Keep your yard stocked with toys. Children need entertainment beyond food. Yes, the kids will eat, but they’ll probably want to play more! From bubbles to soccer balls, hula hoops to sidewalk chalk, make sure your yard is full of toys. And just in case it rains, keep an episode of Paw Patrol or Daniel the Tiger on the deck. If everyone is crammed in, you might want a relaxing activity for the kids, and an episode of a TV show won’t hurt!
3. Create a special drink for the kids! This is basically a mock-tail, but it’s for kids! And your pregnant friends. I usually have 100% fruit juice with frozen berries that can be used as ice cubes. Or even better, you could make fruit ice cubes for water or lemonade! These are the discs I used below.
4. Ask parents about special dietary needs in advance. Chances are, if you have a friend whose child has a food allergy, they’ll let you know or suggest bringing something special. I am sensitive to this because we have family and friends with children who have nut allergies. But if there is someone new in the group, I always ask. The last thing you want is to have a child feel left out OR have to rush and make something extra at the last minute. You want to be able to enjoy the time you visit with your guests!
5. Do a food activity for the kids. There’s always the build-your-own ice cream bar, which is a favorite for adults and kids alike. Beyond dessert, you could have the kids make their own fruit kabobs, or better yet, pizza kabobs! We also had a build your own S’more Station which was fun for kids and adults alike! Click here for the kabob pizza recipe.
Oh, I just thought of another eating activity—which of course involves dessert. Kids could decorate their own cannoli cream pie cups! Find the recipe for the Cannoli Cream Pie Cups here.
Plan a kid-friendly cookout with these 5 simple steps! Notification to X
I’d love to hear how you please both kids and adults when planning a kid-friendly cookout!
Looking for more kid-friendly meal ideas? You may enjoy these posts:
Quick and easy dinner ideas for sports nights
3-ingredient dinner that kids will actually eat
Cooking is the easy part — it’s the dinners that make you. Get the free Dinner Theme Planner for 5pm again. Print it, hang it on the fridge and let the subjects decide.
→ Download our free dinner theme planner at 5 p.m
Feeding a family is a lot – and so is chasing your own nutritional goals in the middle of it. If you want one-on-one support from a registered dietitian dealing with the chaos of real family life, I’d love to help.
→ Make a nutritional consultation appointment with Katie Serbinski, MS, RDN
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