Feeding the kids you babysit can be tough with antsy toddlers and picky tweens running around the kitchen. And, calling up the pizza guy isn’t always the best solution.
The best way to prevent chaos ensuing while you’re preparing their meals is to get them involved in the cooking process. Here are a few kid-friendly recipes that are sure to keep the kids engaged.
Oatmeal
Photo courtesy of efoodsdirect.com
At first, oatmeal seems like a pretty boring dish. But for the morning babysitters who have to get kids ready out of the door quickly, it is great for saving time. Kids can have fun while getting creative with the toppings they choose like fruit, chocolate chips, peanut butter or even bacon.
Avocado Toast
Avocado toast is so versatile. It can be eaten for breakfast or as an after-school snack. Most importantly it provides for quick hands-on preparation. Kids can mash the avocado onto their toast and choose toppings to put on it (which are endless because everything goes with avocado). Adding tomatoes, strawberries or raisins is an easy way to sneak healthy food into your meal.
Any Fruit Dipped in Chocolate
Photo by Hannah Lin
Everyone loves to eat food dipped in chocolate. Give kids a healthier chocolatey snack and a reason to be excited about fruit. Have them dip bananas, strawberries or apples in chocolate and freeze them for a light snack or a secretly healthy dessert like this one.
Dunkaroo Dip
Photo by Aarthi Chezian
Bonding with the kids will be too easy with this delicious throwback to your childhood. This is a no-bake recipe with no knives. So grab a bowl, let the mini-chefs do all of the prep and enjoy. This recipe is super sweet so it would work best in smaller servings for kids.
Pasta Primavera
Photo by Lily Allen
This recipe truly is bae when it comes to introducing kids to veggies. Kids will love being able to choose the pasta and veggies to add in. Involving them in the process will make them 100 times less likely to have a break down over being served vegetables.
Baked Potatoes
Photo by Amanda Shulman
Baked potatoes are so quick and easy that the kids won’t have time to get restless with the cooking process. This is another versatile dish that lets you add anything you or the kids want. Add some cheese, bacon — or broccoli for a healthier option. White potatoes can even be swapped out for a sweet potato.
7. Pizzadillas
Photo by Trissa Gurney
Pizza or quesadillas? Sometimes you really can have it all and the kids will love that. To make this recipe more kid-friendly, have the kids prepare their pizzadillas on a plate before you put them in the pan because kids and stovetops do not mix well.
A Throwback Recipe
Gif by Samantha Ho
Have a moment of feeling super old when none of the kids know what foods you’re talking about recreating. It’s ok. They won’t forget after they taste how good your childhood was.
Homemade Lunchables
Photo by Lily Lou
Everyone loves Lunchables and making them is twice as fun as eating the candy at the end. The kids will love getting to choose their own ingredients. They’ll be the coolest kids on the block because their babysitter knows how to make Lunchables. Yaaass.
Grilled PB&J
Photo by Patrick Haney
And they said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Have the kids make regular PB&Js then throw them in a pan and make them amazing. Don’t let the kids get too close to the stove to keep it kid-friendly. This easy meal will taste a billion times better when it’s warmed. You might not be able to go back to the original peanut butter and jelly.
Spaghetti Squash
Photo by Chelsea Hawk
Sneak some squash into a classic spaghetti recipe. The kids can make the spaghetti with a fork. Too easy. And you’ll get brownie points with the kids’ parents for being so smart. Is that a raise I hear in the distance?
Cereal Snack Bars
Photo by Sharpay Zhang
Upgrade plain old cereal with marshmallow and sprinkles for a sweet snack after school. This recipe uses the microwave so the kids can help the whole process with proper supervision from their bomb babysitter of course.
Ants on a Log
Photo by Haley Durham
Some things never get old. Ants on a log are one of those things. The kids might like these so much that you’ll be making them every time you babysit, which will be great for you because ants on a log are the best snack ever.
Fun recipes can be a fun activity to do with the kids you babysit. And a nice meal can make kids forget that their parents are even away.