Did you know that once you become a parent you are responsible for feeding your kids? Like, at least three times a day? And that doesn’t even count the snacks! Providing healthy food for young kids (and adults) can be stressful. That’s why I’ve come up with easy toddler meal ideas that the whole family will love, plus four simple tips to prep and plan for stress-free mealtimes with young kids.

Planning Meals for Toddlers

1 – Make Dinner for the Whole Family

My first piece of advice is to feed your children whatever the rest of your family is having for dinner. The best way to avoid picky eaters is to expose kids to lots of flavors, textures, and foods at an early age. Besides, I don’t want to prepare multiple recipes for each meal.

Of course, you can modify the meal to make it toddler approved when necessary. But for the most part, both my three-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son eat what we eat each night.

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2 – Keep Toddler Lunches Simple

My daughter goes to morning preschool, and she’s always hungry when it’s over. I keep my toddler meal ideas for lunch simple so that I can feed her quickly.

I often plan enough for dinner to have leftovers for the next day’s lunch. But if there isn’t enough for that, I reach for healthy foods I know she’ll love.

3 – Breakfast Should Be Quick and Easy

For the most part, my daughter eats the same breakfast every day. Mornings are hectic, so limiting choices makes feeding the kids much easier. We experiment with new breakfast options on the weekends when time isn’t an issue. I suggest finding what works for you and sticking with it for busy weekday breakfasts.

4 – Use ezpz Plates and Bowls for Less Mess

Do you ever feel that moment of triumph for feeding your kids a healthy meal only to have all the air sucked out of you when they spill the entire plate on the floor? Or your toddler is chasing her plate with a spoon as it slides across the table knocking food everywhere? And don’t even get me started on the “my food is touching” whines…

We have solved many of these problems with ezpz plates and bowls. Created by a mom fed up with mealtime mess, these 100% toxin-free silicone mats provide suction and a stable base to promote safe and independent eating. This means they don’t spill and help your child meet developmental milestones. And I love that they are tested to ensure children of all abilities can use the ezpz products!

You’ll notice that all my sample meals are in either the Mini Mat or Happy Bowl. We love these products and it’s all we’ve used for years now. You must check out all ezpz’s feeding products for infants, toddlers, and little kids to make your mealtimes easier. Read on for 16 toddler meal ideas.

Read my review of ezpz products to see why I love them so much. 

Dinner Toddler Meal Ideas

As I mentioned earlier, dinner for your toddler, preschooler, or kid of any age should consist of whatever recipe the rest of the family is having. You’ll need to cut into smaller pieces any might tone down the spice level, but I recommend introducing your child to the flavors your family eats regularly. When your child eats a variety of foods as a toddler, they are less likely to be a picky eater later.

Below are examples of real meals I feed my preschooler regularly. I keep a fruit and/or vegetable in the mix that I know she’ll like, but otherwise she gets her version of what we are eating.

Pork Chops with Apples, Green Beans, Sweet Potatoes, Sliced Apples

I cut up the pork chop into small pieces and topped with cooked apples. Roasted sweet potatoes, green beans, and apple slices round out the meal. This meal came from an EveryPlate meal delivery kit and we shared a small portion with our kids. (Get $20 off your first EveryPlate box here.)

Fish, Roasted Root Vegetables, Sliced Apples

I tore this sauteed fish into small pieces, making sure to check for bones. Served with roasted root vegetables and apple slices.

Deconstructed Hamburger, Organic Shells and Cheese, Cucumbers, Sliced Apples

A full hamburger may be too big to bite for your toddler. So I deconstructed the burger into bite-sized pieces, including the bun. Served with small cucumbers, apple slices, and organic Annie’s Macaroni and Cheese with white cheddar shells.

Spaghetti, Baby Carrots, Sliced Apples

Classic spaghetti is less mess with minimal sauce and some Parmesan cheese. Be sure to cut the noodles into smaller pieces to make it easier to scoop with a fork. Served with baby carrots and sliced apples. Make sure your toddler can chew up crunchy foods before serving these raw.

Deconstructed Chicken Taco, Corn and Black Beans, Sliced Apples

While the rest of the family had chicken tacos, my preschool-aged daughter had seasoned chicken with shredded cheese and tomatoes. Corn and black beans and sliced apples work as sides. You’ll notice that I serve a lot of the same fruits over again. I like to buy in-season fruit and make sure my kids have at least one thing I know they’ll like at each meal.

Korean Beef, Jasmine Rice, Cucumbers, Strawberries

My daughter was adopted from China, so I love to add Asian flavors to our menu whenever I can. Though not Chinese, this Instant Pot Korean Beef from Eazy Peazy Mealz is delicious! I cut back on the red pepper flakes and some of the butter, but this is a favorite in our house. I often serve this with roasted broccoli, but this toddler meal has strawberries and cucumbers for sides.

Sloppy Joe Meat, Organic Mac and Cheese, Green Beans, Cucumber/Tomato Salad, Apple Slices

Sometimes you need a quick dinner and Manwich Sloppy Joe comes to the rescue. I use Annie’s Organic Macaroni and Cheese to make me feel a little better about my side choice and add green beans, apple slices, and cucumber tomato salad to round out the meal.

Rotisserie Chicken, Roll, Blueberries, Baby Carrots

Another super easy family meal idea is a rotisserie chicken from Costco (or Walmart, Kroger, or wherever you do grocery pickup), dinner rolls, blueberries, and baby carrots.

Deconstructed Taco Salad, Grapes, Cucumbers

This deconstructed taco salad includes ground turkey for the taco meat, shredded cheese, lettuce, grapes (cut to lessen choking hazard), and cucumbers. Confession time: I haven’t been able to get either of my kids to eat salads. But I keep introducing lettuce, even if on the side, in hopes that they’ll eventually like them. I don’t force them to eat foods they don’t like but do ask that they try a bite.

Lunch Meal Ideas for Toddlers

I often serve leftovers from dinner for lunch, but that isn’t always an option. Below are some quick and easy toddler meal ideas for lunch. These can be eaten at home or packed for preschool and daycare.

Tuna, Crackers, Corn and Black Beans, Baby Carrots

Both of my children love tuna right out of the pouch. It makes for a cheap and easy toddler lunch served with crackers, leftover corn and black beans, and baby carrots.

Ham and Cheese Sandwich, Baby Carrots, Grapes

My three-year-old daughter is more likely to eat a sandwich when I toast the bread. She usually ends up eating the ham and cheese separately, which is okay with me. This one is served with grapes and baby carrots.

Turkey Breast, Veggie Straws, Raspberries and Blueberries, Cucumbers

Most of the time I abandon the sandwich completely and just tear up lunch meat. This is turkey breast (I always get the kind with no added nitrates/nitrites), Veggie Straws, blueberries and raspberries, and cucumbers.

Cheese, Crackers, Raspberries, Baby Carrots

Cheese and crackers may be my preschooler’s favorite lunch. I included raspberries and baby carrots for this one.

Chicken Nuggets, Organic Mac and Cheese, Baby Carrots, Clementines

Occasionally, I’ll indulge in a favorite meal of toddlers everywhere. Even picky eaters can’t resist chicken nuggets and mac and cheese! I try to find the healthiest version I can of each of these staples. Then I’ll add a fruit like clementines and baby carrots as a vegetable.

Breakfast Toddler Meal Ideas

We keep breakfast simple for my toddler. Right now she’s on an oatmeal kick, but we do occasionally mix in whole-grain waffles. We love the ezpz Happy Bowls for no-spill breakfasts!

Oatmeal with Sliced Apples

Maple and Brown Sugar Quaker Instant Oatmeal is by far my daughter’s favorite breakfast. It is quick and easy, and it gives her great practice using a spoon. We add milk to make it creamier and include a fruit side like apple slices.

Whole Grain Protein Waffles with Blueberries

I just discovered that Costco has frozen Kodiak Cakes Whole Grain Protein Waffles, so these have made an appearance in my toddler’s breakfast (and mine!). Serve them plain with fruit like blueberries. If you don’t live near a Costco, you can always make these yourself with the Kodiak dry mixes.

What tips and recipes do you have for your toddlers and preschoolers? I’d love to hear more in the comments below!

Don’t miss these other great posts:

The Meal-Time Hack New Parents Love – An ezpz Review

Who Does Grocery Pickup Best – Walmart vs. Kroger

9 Best Mom Hacks You Need to Know Now

10 Best Developmental Toys for Young Children

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