57 Delicious Kid-Friendly Dinner Ideas​ for 2025

Kid-friendly dinner ideas can feel few and far between. Whether the kids are picky, don’t like spices or have favorites they insist on returning to, making a dish that’s pleasing to kids of any age can be tricky. 

While the numbers vary across sample sizes and studies, scientists have found that about 8% to 50% of children between the ages of 2 and 11 years old are picky eaters, as reported by NIH. The cause of picky eating varies and can change over time.

The task of cooking can become even more challenging when trying to feed multiple kids or a whole family, who may have differing ideas on what to have for dinner. It can also be difficult to determine what to make for a weeknight meal after a long day of work. 

However, it doesn’t have to give you trouble every night. With plenty of options of dishes out there, you simply have to have a few kid-friendly dinner ideas​ in your repertoire. Having go-to recipes you know your kids and family will love ensures that a nightly meal is as simple and delicious as possible. 

Need a little inspiration? We’ve rounded up 57 kid-friendly dinner ideas​ to use this week.

Jump to Section

• Best Kid-Friendly Dinner Ideas for Picky Eaters
• Healthy Dinner Ideas for Kids
• Simple Kid-Friendly Dinner Ideas
• Cheap and Easy Dinner Ideas for Family
• Fun Saturday Family Dinner Ideas
• Kid-Friendly Dinner Ideas FAQs

Best Kid-Friendly Dinner Ideas for Picky Eaters

1. Baked Chicken Parmesan

Chicken parmesan is a favorite for many kids, including picky eaters. It’s easy to make with chicken breast, their favorite pasta sauce, noodles and a sprinkling of cheese. 

There are also many kid-friendly dinner ideas​ that twist this classic, like using chicken tenders or chicken nuggets for bite-sized chicken parms.

2. Chicken Sliders

Smaller portions can look a lot less daunting to picky eaters. Opt for grilled or fried chicken breast on slider buns. With these kid-friendly dinner ideas​, kids can also control the toppings, making it more like a dish they want to eat.

3. Sheet Pan Quesadillas

Quesadillas are one of the best kid-friendly dinner ideas for picky eaters because they can customize the ingredients inside. Allowing them to choose the cheese, vegetables and sauces for their quesadilla will make them excited to eat it.

4. Creamy Broccoli Pasta Bake

Kids who like mac and cheese or butter noodles will love a creamy, alfredo-inspired pasta bake. Adding broccoli to this kid-friendly dinner idea will also give kids the fiber and nutrients they need.

5. Sneaky Vegetable Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is one of the kid-friendly dinner ideas​. Picky eaters will often want bowl after bowl of the dish. You can add sneaky vegetables by chopping them finely and adding them to the sauce. Most kids won’t notice and they’ll get some essential nutrients.

6. Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

What's a good lazy dinner? Chicken pot pie is a comforting meal and easy to make. Using pre-made pie crust, you can fill it with chicken, cream and vegetables. Plus, with recognizable ingredients, picky eaters will enjoy it.

7. Lasagna Cups

Lasagna is already a well-loved meal but making it into cups is one of the best kid-friendly dinner ideas. It makes lasagna bite-sized, which is great for tiny hands.

8. Chicken and Dumplings

Lightly seasoned chicken paired with homemade biscuit dumplings will be a well-loved, kid-friendly dinner idea for picky eaters. It’s simple, hearty and filling, and it’s easily served with kid-friendly vegetables.

9. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

One of the most kid-friendly dinner ideas​ is grilled cheese. It’s an easy dinner to make when kids don’t want anything else. You can also add twists like vegetables, pizza sauce or pepperoni to mix things up.

10. Skillet Ham and Rice

Kid-friendly dinner ideas​ that are also one-pan are a parent’s dream. This skillet dish is made with rice, broth, vegetables and diced ham. Simple ingredients that taste good and go down easily.

11. Ham and Cheese Pockets

A heartier version of a ham and cheese sandwich, ham and cheese pockets are one of the most comforting, kid-friendly dinner ideas​. Puff pastry pockets filled with cheese and ham and baked until golden are a great handheld dinner.

12. Pepperoni Roll-Ups

Another of the best handheld, kid-friendly dinner ideas​ is pepperoni roll-ups. Inside is pepperoni, cheese and sauce rolled in between pizza dough. It’s a good option when you want to give kids a bit of a treat.

Healthy Dinner Ideas for Kids

13. Shrimp Fried Rice

A favorite for takeout, homemade shrimp fried rice can be one of the best healthy, kid-friendly dinner ideas. You can also swap the rice for quinoa to get good fiber and nutrients.

14. Grilled Meatball and Pepper Kebabs

This kid-friendly dinner idea will serve one of their favorite food in a new way. Add meatballs, peppers, onions and other veggies to a skewer before grilling it over a fire. A light glaze will make this a flavorful way for kids to get their veggies. 

15. Picadillo

Picadillo is a hearty meal with plenty of vegetables. It’s one of the best kid-friendly dinner ideas​ to introduce flavors from around the world. It featured minced tomatoes, olives and potatoes mixed in with ground beef.

16. White Bean Chili

White bean chili can be a one-pot meal, so it’s great for busy weeknights. Bowls of white bean chili are some of the best kid-friendly dinner ideas that’ll provide tons of protein and nutrients thanks to the beans and vegetables.

17. Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup is relatively easy to make with shredded chicken, broth, carrots and celery. It’s a great kid-friendly dinner idea for winter nights or when kids are sick.

18. Creamy Spinach Chicken

Grilled chicken breast is one of the best healthy, kid-friendly dinner ideas. Paired with a creamy sauce with fresh spinach mixed in, it’ll have tons of flavor as well as protein and nutrients.

19. Baked Orange Chicken

Get inspired by takeout and make a baked orange chicken. Cut the chicken breast into cubes and make a vibrant orange sauce and cook it all in the oven. It’s one of the best kid-friendly dinner ideas​ as a takeout replacement.

20. Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet

Ground turkey is a lean meat that’s a great base for kid-friendly dinner ideas​. And sweet potatoes are a good source of fiber, vitamins A , C and potassium. This meal comes together quickly in a skillet for a weeknight.

21. Chickpea Curry

If you’re looking for kid-friendly dinner ideas​ that have plenty of fiber, protein and essential vitamins, look no further than a chickpea curry. A sweet and spicy dish that incorporates some Indian flavors.

22. Pita Tacos

Pita is a lower-calorie bread option and can be a good source of fiber, especially when it’s made with whole wheat flour. Filled with grilled chicken, ground turkey or lean beef, topped with plenty of vegetables. Outside of dinner, pita tacos are also a healthy snack for kids.

23. Stuffed Peppers

Halve bell peppers and stuff them with quinoa, ground turkey, onions and garlic for a flavorful, kid-friendly dinner idea​. Since it bakes in the oven, it’s also a relatively hands-on recipe for weeknight meals.

Simple Kid-Friendly Dinner Ideas

24. Roasted Tomato Soup with Cheesy Crouton Topper

A roasted tomato soup with a cheesy crouton on top is reminiscent of a grilled cheese and tomato soup. This simple, kid-friendly dinner idea will put a twist on a favorite.

25. Dumpling Soup

This easy, kid-friendly dinner idea uses frozen dumplings in a savory broth. Plus, it goes from stove to bowl in just about ten minutes, so it’s a quick meal for weeknights.

26. Gnocchi Alfredo Bake

Gnocchi alfredo is one of the best kid-friendly dinner ideas​ to update mac and cheese. Kids will always want seconds of this creamy alfredo sauce.

27. Tater Tot Cowboy Casserole

Tater Tots are a favorite kids’ side and this kid-friendly dinner idea puts them front and center. Made creamy with mushroom soup and topped with sour cream, bacon and cheese, it’s a decadent meal for kids and adults.

28. Honey Garlic Chicken Bites

Bite-sized chicken with a flavorful honey garlic sauce will be one of the most delicious and simple kid-friendly dinner ideas. This also makes a great option for a snack.

29. Sloppy Joes

What kid doesn’t love sloppy joes? One of the easiest, kid-friendly dinner ideas​, this will be a meal to return to time and time again.

30. Salisbury Steak

Savory Salisbury steak will be a delicious, kid-friendly dinner idea. Topped with onions and served with mashed potatoes, it’ll be a classic and hearty dish.

31. Cheeseburger Casserole

Cheeseburgers are one of the favorite kid-friendly dinner ideas​, so cheeseburger casserole is sure to be their new favorite. Pasta with lean ground beef, heavy cream and cheese will bring all their favorite flavors to the plate.

32. Homemade Corn Dogs

Bring the flavors of the carnival to dinner ideas for kids. Homemade corn dogs are easy to make and fun to serve with a variety of condiments. They’ll love snacking on them while watching their favorite movies for kids.

33. Italian Subs

Loaded with pepperoni, salami, tomato, onions, lettuce and cheese, Italian subs make great kids' lunch ideas when served cold and delicious kid-friendly dinner ideas​ when warmed up in the oven.

34. Parmesan Fish Sticks

Fish sticks are a favorite kid-friendly dinner idea. When making homemade fish sticks, add a little Parmesan to the breading to add a slight cheesy and nutty flavor.

35. Baked Mac and Cheese

You’ll never go wrong with baked mac and cheese for dinner. Start this kid-friendly dinner idea on the stove and finish it in the oven to get it nice and gooey. This is a meal kids will definitely not skip.

Cheap and Easy Dinner Ideas for Family

36. Baked Rigatoni

After making baked rigatoni, it will quickly become one of the top 10 favorite kid meals. Filled with ground sausage, tomato sauce and ricotta cheese, it’s a hearty, filling and delicious kid-friendly dinner idea the whole family will love.

37. Classic Beef Chili

A classic beef chili is a hearty and easy weeknight dinner for a family. You can set up a topping bar with onions, cheese, oyster crackers and more so everyone can customize their dishes.

38. Toasted Chicken Tenders

You’ll be surprised how easy homemade chicken tenders are to make. Since they’re a favorite food of many kids, it’ll be a welcome kid-friendly dinner idea​. Plus, you can make a variety of sauces to dip or smother the tenders.

39. One-Pot Sausage Orzo

A one-pot orzo is one of the easiest kid-friendly dinner ideas​. The sausage makes it hearty, a little spinach adds a vibrant detail and a creamy sauce pulls it all together.

40. Honey Chili Chicken

A sweet and spicy honey chili sauce is easy to whip up with simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Crispy baked chicken topped with this sauce is one of the most delicious, cheap and easy dinner ideas for a family.

41. Cheese Ravioli

If you’re looking for easy weeknight dinners for family, you can’t go wrong with cheese ravioli. You can make your own or use a store-bought ravioli with a homemade tomato sauce and top it with a blend of cheeses.

42. Pizza Pancakes

Pizza and pancakes together will quickly become one of the best kid-friendly dinner ideas​. Add Italian seasoning, mozzarella cheese and pepperoni to pancake batter. Then, serve with marinara pizza sauce and another sprinkling of cheese.

43. Chicken and Rice Bowl

Chicken breast on top of fluffy rice are ingredients you probably have in your kitchen, so it makes a quick and inexpensive dinner idea for kids and families. You can add your own seasonings to make it a Chinese, Mexican or Indian dish.

44. Beef Ramen Noodles

Ramen noodles are a famously cheap meal and you can make them easily and inexpensively at home. Make a ramen noodle dish filled with vegetables and lean beef for a decadent, kid-friendly dinner idea inspired by a favorite snack.

45. Teriyaki Chicken

Homemade teriyaki sauce is easy to make with common pantry ingredients. Using chicken breasts or chicken tenders with this decadent sauce makes it a kid-friendly dinner idea.

46. Pasta e Fagioli Soup

Elbow noodles, cannellini beans and broth are the base of this hearty meal. The ingredients make it one of the best cheap and easy dinner ideas for a family.

Fun Saturday Family Dinner Ideas

47. French Onion Meatballs

Inspired by French onion soup, this will be one of the most savory dinner ideas for kids and adults. Caramelize onions to top meatballs along with creamy Gruyere cheese. 

48. Homemade Tortellini Soup

The time it takes to develop these flavors makes it ideal for a weekend night. With cheese tortellini and Italian sausage in a creamy tomato soup, this will easily become one of the top 10 favorite kid meals.

49. Create Your Own Pizza Night

Creating your own pizza is one of the most fun Saturday night family dinner ideas. Start with either homemade or store-bought crust and let everyone add their own sauce, cheese and toppings.

50. Creative Cheeseburgers

Cheeseburgers and fries are one of the best kid-friendly dinner ideas​ for a weekend night. Make your own cheeseburgers and get creative with flavors, seasonings and toppings. 

51. Pork Barbecue Sandwiches

Spending the day developing the flavors of pork will be well worth it for this kid-friendly dinner idea. Use your favorite barbecue sauce and pile it high on a bun to make a savory sandwich.

52. Cornflake Fried Chicken

Using seasoned cornflakes on chicken creates a crispy and crunchy crust. This kid-friendly dinner idea is great for tender and chicken wings alike. It’s an indulgent dish that you can serve on its own or with sauce.

53. Carbonara Pasta

Bring the flavors of your favorite Italian restaurant home. Savory pancetta on top of a creamy sauce makes this one of the best kid-friendly dinner ideas for kids with a more adventurous palate.

54. Boneless Buffalo Chicken Bites

Boneless chicken bites tossed in a classic buffalo sauce are a fun Saturday night family dinner idea for game night or movie night. Serve it with ranch or blue cheese for dipping.

55. Sausage and Spinach Calzones

You can use pizza dough to make calzones, so it’s a great hands-on, kid-friendly dinner idea. Stuffed with savory sauce, melty cheese and spinach, it’s a filling favorite. Don’t forget to serve a marinara sauce alongside for dipping.

56. Cheeseburger Cups

Cheeseburger cups use biscuits as a base, topped with ground beef and melty cheese. They’re a great handheld meal and a good option for kids’ birthday party foods. You can serve them with a variety of dipping sauces.

57. Loaded Baked Potatoes

You can’t go wrong with creating a baked potato bar. This is one of the most kid-friendly dinner ideas because they’ll get to add their own ingredients. Serve a variety of cheeses, ground beef, green onions, sour cream and more so everyone can craft their own creations.

Kid-Friendly Dinner Ideas FAQs

What To Cook for Fussy Kids?

Kids can be fussy and indecisive about food, which can cause some frustration for parents. They may like something one day and hate it the next. 

So, it’s always good to have a few kid-friendly dinner ideas​ you can make with ease. One of the best ways to get a fussy kid to eat is by building upon foods they already like.

Foods like sandwiches, fish sticks, chicken tenders, noodles and pizza, along with specific fruits and vegetables, are often the most common foods fussy and picky eaters will eat. 

You can also use these foods as a base and build on them with different spices and vegetables. Kids will love enjoying their favorite foods and parents will love getting their kids to eat dinner nightly.

What Can I Feed My Picky Kids for Dinner?

Finding foods that picky kids like to eat can feel like a major accomplishment, especially after some trial and error. While finding kid-friendly dinner ideas they love can take some time, it doesn’t have to be difficult.

There are many foods that even picky eaters like. Make meatball parmesan with tomato sauce and cheese on top for kids who like spaghetti and meatballs. 

Kids who like butter noodles may also like vegetable or chicken alfredo. You can also make their favorite dishes, like grilled cheese with some sneakily added vegetables.

What Are 10 Good Dinner Foods?

Need dinner ideas for kids and adults? Here are 10 good dinner foods everyone will love:

1. Chicken Parmesan

2. Lasagna

3. Tacos

4. Noodle stir-fry

5. Slow-cooker braised beef

6. Chilli con carne

7. Mac and cheese

8. Fried rice

9. Stuffed peppers

10. Fish and chips

Finding kid-friendly dinner ideas​ they love to eat doesn’t have to be a challenge every night. Serve them a few of their favorite dishes and then put a twist on them. Or stretch their palates with dishes inspired by world cuisine, or by introducing new spices or ingredients. 

Whether you have a picky or adventurous eater at the dinner table, these kid-friendly dinner ideas​ are sure to delight both kids and adults and have them asking for seconds. 

For even more things to try together, check out other experiences happening on Classpop!