8 Kid Friendly Meal Ideas When Stuck In the House

While many of us parents are experiencing a new normal and spending more time indoors than ever before, we may find ourselves looking for recipes that the kiddos will enjoy three times a day. With schools being shutdown and distance learning now a huge thing amongst elementary through high school children, coming up with three meals a day for weeks on end can be a daunting task.

Don’t fret, my friends! I have come up with 8 Kid Friendly Meal Ideas When Stuck in the House, which will give you at least one meal idea for a week and a day!

These meals and recipes are fun, and I’ve made sure to include items for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. Some of them can even be used as a snack, too!

Checkout my list of 8 Kid Friendly Meal Ideas When Stuck in the House, and get them into your recipe rotation.

Mini Pizza Cups

At the end of the day I am tired, but I still love the smell of something cooking in the oven. Let’s be honest, pulling dinner out of the oven at the end of a ridiculous day really makes us feel like we have accomplished something, right? That is why I love these Mini Pizza Cups, because they are easy to assemble, bake, and eat. In fact you can make them in under 30 minutes, and in no time have the smell of fresh baked pizza coming from your kitchen.

The best part? No matter how picky your family members are, these can be customized for all tastes. Let kids assemble their own with their favorite ingredients, or create a variety so everyone can experience various tastes. These mini pizza cups offer so much to dinner time, and do it all in under thirty minutes. Are you ready to get started? Here is how to make your own Mini Pizza Cups!

A few things before we get started: You have TONS of flexibility here. You can find seasoned pizza crust as well as plain. Choose from any variety of pizza/pasta sauce. You can enjoy any kind of shredded cheese you wish, and of course your meat and veggie topping selection is endless. Do what works for you and for the tastes of your family.

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I love to add a side salad to these mini pizza cups and call it dinner. In under 30 minutes our kitchen smells like a pizzeria, everyone is happy, and since this is a one pan (or tin!) meal, dishes are a breeze. It really is an ideal midweek meal.

So put your chef’s hat on and give these mini pizza cups a try. They are an easy way to enjoy dinner as a family!

No Bake Apple Pie in a Jar

If you love the flavors of apple pie but hate the time it takes to prepare one, this no bake apple pie in a jar is for you. Not only can you make it in minutes, but you don’t even need to turn on the oven to do so. It is the perfect dessert, as you can make individual servings for everyone at your dinner table. Here is how to make your own no bake apple pie in a jar, a simple dessert the whole family is sure to love.

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How gorgeous is this dessert? Now just add a spoon and you are ready to serve. Kids will love assembling their own apple pie in a jar, and adults will love finding this dessert at the end of their meal. So the next time you don’t feel like firing up the oven, try this no bake apple pie in a jar instead. It is a fresh and fruity dessert perfect for any time of year!

Easy Vegetable Pie

At least one night a week we like to make a meatless dinner. Not only does it save us some money but it is also so much better for our bodies. An easy vegetable pie like this is the perfect midweek meal, and the best part is you can make it all in one pan, leaving little mess behind. Pair it with soup and you have an amazing meatless meal, filled with yummy vegetables and all of the flavors of a savory pie you love. Here is how to make your own easy kid-friendly vegetable pie!

Now, I love easy. Of course you can make your own pie crust, but this is a more convenient option for us. You can find frozen and ready to go pie crusts in your grocer’s freezer. Just thaw one out while you are prepping your fillings and it will be ready by the time you are set to fill it. Some people like to brush their shell with a little egg wash (egg yolk and a splash of water) before filling, but in this case I don’t think it is necessary.

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When you are ready to cut into your vegetable pie, you will notice the cheese on top acts like a top crust. The inside is the perfect medley of your favorite vegetables, cheese, and a little fluff provided by the biscuit mix and egg. Should you wish to make this ahead of time to bake later you always can, or, you can even make this pie and freeze it for later. It will do well either way and still come out amazing when you are ready to enjoy it.

Have some fun with vegetables. Give this easy vegetable pie recipe a try and see how fun a meatless meal can really be.

Frozen Yogurt Tarts

It can be hard to find ice cream treats that are low in sugar and fat, which is why these frozen yogurt tarts are a great alternative. Easy to make and low in sugar, they are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth while being stuck inside. You can make a large batch and keep them in the freezer for easy snacking, making them the perfect grab and go treat. Look at how to make your own frozen yogurt tarts, which may soon become your new favorite snack!

A few things you should know: You can use any kind of yogurt for this recipe, but Greek yogurt seems to work best. We chose a low sugar option, and you can use any flavor that interests you. When embellishing your treats, you have two options. You can do natural mint leaves as a garnish, or use a little gel icing to add some color. Kids may enjoy the icing event, while adults may prefer something more natural like the mint leaves.

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Just think of all the possibilities you have with this recipe! You can use any kind of yogurt you wish, any kind of fruit you wish, and embellish with an assortment of herbs, candy sprinkles, or even flowers.

Head to the kitchen and give these frozen yogurt tarts a try. They are a sweet and healthy way to enjoy a treat!

Open Faced Tuna Melt

When you think of a tuna melt you might not think of anything exceptionally tasty or fancy, but I am here to tell you this open face tuna melt is anything but boring. Using a couple of ingredients you already have on hand you can make this open face tuna melt up too, perfect for a mid week lunch or even a light dinner. Dress this open face tuna melt up or down as you wish, creating a sandwich that is full of flavor and even convenience. Here is how you can make an open face tuna melt of your own.

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As you can see you have some flexibility with this recipe. If there are ingredients you aren’t fond of feel free to swap them out. Not a provolone cheese fan? White cheddar and even mozzarella would work just as well for this recipe. If you want to cut calories, you can always opt for a light or fat free mayo, as well as a reduced fat cheese.

Remove your open face tuna melt from the heat and serve with a side such as pretzels, pickles, or even a fresh salad. Your open face tuna sandwich is best enjoyed warm!

Gather your ingredients and give this simple open face tuna sandwich a try. As you can see, it is anything but boring!

  Citrus and Berry Pops

Have you ever looked at the ingredients on a package of ice pops? They are typically full of not just sugar but corn syrup and artificial coloring too. Luckily, you do have healthier options when it comes to ice pops. Making your own ice pops is a cinch, and a great way to cool down during the summer. All you need are a few fresh ingredients, and in just a few hours you have ice pops you can feel good about eating. Check out these Citrus and Berry Ice Pops below, and see if this isn’t a recipe you need to try!

Rinse all of your produce well and remove all stems/greenery. We used strawberries and blueberries for this recipe, but you can use other berries of your choice as well. Blackberries, raspberries, and even seedless cherries would all work as well. As far as the ice pop mold goes, you can find these just about anywhere household goods are sold. There are all sorts of varieties on Amazon as well, in various shapes and sizes so you can really get creative if you wish.

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These citrus and berry ice pops are the ideal snack because they are full of Vitamin C, antioxidants, and other vitamins and nutrients. They are a healthier alternative to sugar filled ice pops, and just as good!

Give this recipe for Citrus and Berry Ice Pops a try and see how sweet snacking can be!

Crispy Tuscan Chicken

If there is one thing I love about chicken it is that you can buy it cheap. You can get quality boneless/skinless cuts at a great sale price and turn it into just about anything. One of my favorite ways to use chicken cutlets is to make this Crispy Tuscan Chicken. It looks fancy but is fast and easy, perfect for a midweek meal even if you are crunched for time. If you are always looking for a new way to prepare chicken, check out how to make your own Crispy Tuscan Chicken like you see here. It is a meal the whole family will rave over!

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People are often times confused when it comes to olive oil. While most people grab extra virgin, what you really want for cooking meat is regular olive oil. Your EVOO is ideal for salads and vegetables where you need a lighter oil, but regular olive oil is best for cooking meat in like this. Just choose a quality brand of olive oil and remember a little goes a long way!

Fruity Kale Breakfast Smoothie

Here is some important advice: tell you kids not to be afraid of kale. You may have heard that kale is a superfood, that it is packed with vitamins and minerals, and that it can do wonders for your health. All of this is true, making kale a food you should add to your menu a few times a week. One of my favorite ways to use kale is in this Fruity Kale Smoothie, a quick and easy smoothie for you and the kiddos.

Look at how to make your own fruity kale smoothie, so you can enjoy all of the health benefits that eating fresh kale have to offer!

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Let’s chat real quick about kale. You can find fresh kale bunches at most grocery stores and farmer’s markets. You will find it in the leafy greens section by your lettuce, swiss chard, and cabbage. If you don’t care for some of the fruits listed above, you can substitute them with another fruit of similar size.

Your fruity kale smoothie is now ready to be enjoyed. It should be served right away. If you wish to drink it later, you can pour the mixture into ice cube trays. Then, simply remove the cubes and place them back into the blender when you are ready to enjoy your smoothie.

Give this kid-approved fruity kale smoothie a try. It makes the perfect back to school breakfast or is a great way to fuel your weekends if you are a weekend warrior with a huge to do list! Give it a try, and see what the power of kale can do for you!

I hope you’ve found my 8 Kid Friendly Meal Ideas useful for this new way of life we are having to adapt to. Try them out, and see how much your kiddos enjoy them!