Tip #7,314 When you are bringing home a newborn, remember - you won't have time to cook! Pre-prepare batches of meals before baby is born that you can freeze and heat for quickly on the go! Parenting parenting + meal preparation + newborn + new mom + baby + Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #5,961 Save the tray from a kid's TV dinner. Refill with your child's favorites and freeze for a last minute meal. Parenting meal preparation + kids + reuse + Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #6,036 When making pizza as a family, let your children cut out shapes in the dough with cookie cutters and assemble the toppings onto the shapes. Parenting meal preparation + activities + kids + Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #5,978 Keep young children entertained while you cook by giving them their own drawer in the kitchen filled with utensils they can play with such as wooden spoons, whisks and plastic bowls. Parenting meal preparation + kitchen + kids + Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #4,993 If your children are picky eaters, get them involved in meal preparation. Children are more likely to eat food they help to prepare. Parenting meal preparation + kids + food + Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #4,885 During summer break, have each child be in charge of one meal a week. They will help decide on the food, make the grocery list and depending on age, also help prepare the meal. Parenting meal preparation + kids + food + summer + Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,563 • 15 people found helpful Have children help prepare meals. Give them more difficult tasks as they grow older. They will appreciate all they have learned once it is time to leave home. Parenting meal preparation + kitchen + kids + cooking + learning + Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,965 • 24 people found helpful • 1 List When involving your children in the food preparation process, bring everything down to their level so they can easily reach items. Also, use a larger bowl than necessary to help avoid spills when stirring ingredients together. Parenting meal preparation + kitchen + kids + cooking + Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,962 • 23 people found helpful • 1 List When preparing meals for your family, cook and serve foods in a variety of ways (grilled, baked, roasted, raw, etc.). Your children may find they actually like a food item cooked or served a certain way that they previously did not enjoy. Parenting meal preparation + kids + cooking + Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,982 • 22 people found helpful • 1 List Crank the tunes while cooking dinner as a family. Dinner prep dance parties increase serotonin and put everyone in a good mood before eating. It just might help get those Brussels sprouts eaten. Parenting meal preparation + kitchen + kids + cooking + family + Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,964 • 20 people found helpful • 1 List Encourage your children to help with food preparation. Young children can wash produce and stir ingredients together, while older children can measure ingredients and chop produce under close adult supervision. Children are more likely to try something new if they are involved making it. Parenting meal preparation + kids + cooking + Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,970 • 19 people found helpful • 1 List Avoid preparing separate “kid food” (chicken nuggets, hot dogs, etc.) and “adult food.” You are not a short order cook. Make one meal that everyone eats. The children will see the adults enjoying the meal and will learn to enjoy it themselves. Parenting meal preparation + kids + cooking + Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,976 • 18 people found helpful • 1 List Once your children are old enough to set the table, keep plates, bowls, cups, and utensils in a cupboard or drawer at their level so they can easily help out. Parenting meal preparation + kitchen + kids + chores + Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,975 • 18 people found helpful • 1 List Share family stories and memories when cooking favorite recipes with your children. Providing a history or tradition with the recipe will make eating the dish more special. Parenting meal preparation + communication + kids + family + Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,972 • 18 people found helpful • 1 List Use cookie cutters to make sandwiches, fruits and vegetable more fun for your children. A dinosaur shaped sandwich is way more fun than a regular sandwich. Parenting meal preparation + kids + Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,969 • 18 people found helpful • 1 List Make a salad more fun by allowing your children to pick their favorite meats, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and cheeses to add to it. Parenting meal preparation + kids + vegetables + salad + Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #3,978 • 16 people found helpful • 1 List When introducing new foods to your children, pair it with something they already like. Adding vegetables to pasta, rice, or casseroles make them seem less offensive. Parenting meal preparation + kids + food + Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #134 • 22 people found helpful To help prevent baby constipation when they start on solid food, include whole grains, prunes, peaches, pears apricots and grapes. Parenting meal preparation + new mom + baby + Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #1,086 • 15 people found helpful • 1 List Have family pizza night and let everyone make their own using a flour tortilla as the crust. Once assembled just pop them in the oven for a few minutes. Parenting meal preparation + activities + kids + family + Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send
Tip #2,573 • 14 people found helpful When making hot cereal for your children, add the milk and sugar before serving to limit the amount of sugar added. Parenting meal preparation + kids + breakfast + diet + Helpful... Share Share Tweet Send