Snack Trays for Dinner The New Approach to Getting Our Kids to Eat Dinner

 

Yes, you read that right, try giving your kids snack trays for dinner! Let me explain! No please don’t give them cookies, chips, and all the junk!

Over the summer, we adopted snack trays into our life! After breakfast, I will make each kid a snack tray. I fill it with something sweet, some form of chips or pretzels, and then a mixture of fruits and veggies or yogurt, simply whatever I have on hand and what time of day it is. This does two things for me as a bonus mom that makes snack trays a game-changer for our home:

1. They don’t come to me 2,328,378 times a day asking for snacks or crying they are hungry. They know if they want actual food they ask for that exactly and if they want more snacks, they have to make a happy (empty) snack tray.
2. After introducing snack trays, the kids started eating better! They have more healthy options in front of them and since Dad or I are not there hovering over them, they don’t feel any pressure and actually try the fruits AND then they eat them! (insert mind blown here) LOL.

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Snack trays are fun to my kids so naturally they enjoy trying what I give them! So yeah all that is fantastic but what do I mean for dinner? I would get a snack tray that has many sections or even use a muffin tin! Now whatever it is you are having for dinner, make it into a snack tray! Example: shredded chicken, slice cheese of choice, green beans, noodles, pretzel sticks, apple sauce, strawberries, and a FEW Oreos. This gives the kids an opportunity to eat all the foods in front of them, they have a healthy variety for all their food groups, and just a couple of small portions of food they like so they think they won LOL.

Now, let’s dive into how you can transform your regular dinner menu into an exciting snack tray feast for your kids. The idea is simple but revolutionary — taking the usual dinner components and presenting them in a fun, approachable way. This method not only makes dinner time more enjoyable but also encourages kids to try a variety of foods.

The Art of Assembling the Perfect Dinner Snack Tray

1. Balance is Key: Aim for a mix of protein, vegetables, fruits, grains, and dairy. This ensures a nutritious meal while keeping it fun.
2. Small Portions, Big Variety: Instead of large servings, offer smaller, bite-sized portions of different foods. It’s less intimidating and more appealing to children.
3. Colorful and Creative: Kids love colors! Arrange the tray with a variety of colorful foods. The more vibrant, the better.
4. Include Their Favorites: While introducing new foods, make sure to include a couple of their favorites. It makes the tray more inviting.

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Sample Snack Tray Ideas

• The Classic: Grilled chicken pieces, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, cubes of cheese, whole grain crackers, and a few grapes.
• Breakfast for Dinner: Mini pancakes, scrambled eggs, a few strawberries, yogurt, and a sprinkle of granola.
• Italian Fiesta: Small meatballs, mozzarella sticks, cherry tomatoes, a few olives, breadsticks, and a small cup of marinara sauce.

Tips for Success with Dinner Snack Trays

• Let Them Help: Involving kids in the preparation can increase their interest in eating. Let them place items on their tray.
• Theme Nights: Create themed snack trays, like a ‘Mexican Night’ with tacos and guacamole or a ‘Picnic Night’ with sandwich squares and fruit skewers.
• The Element of Surprise: Occasionally, include a new or unexpected item on the tray to pique their curiosity. This is how we get snack trays to really shine!

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Addressing Picky Eaters

Snack trays can be a game-changer for picky eaters. The variety and the control they have over their eating can make them more open to trying new foods. If they don’t like something, it’s just a small portion, so it’s less of a big deal. And seeing their favorite foods right next to new ones can encourage them to venture out of their comfort zone.

The Bigger Picture: Teaching Healthy Eating Habits

This approach to dinner is not just about making mealtime fun. It’s an excellent opportunity to teach kids (and ourselves) about balanced eating in a way that’s engaging and healthier. It allows children to learn to make healthy choices independently and understand portion control naturally. And it teaches us how to cook balanced meals!

To Recap Why Snack Trays Work:

• Variety and Choice: Kids enjoy the sense of control and choice over what they eat from their tray.
• Exploration Without Pressure: The casual nature of snack trays encourages kids to explore new foods without the pressure of a formal meal setting.
• Fun and Engagement: Turning mealtime into a fun, interactive experience can change the way kids think about food.

To sum up my point, adopting snack trays for dinner can transform your family’s mealtime into a delightful, stress-free experience that both parents and kids will love. It’s a simple yet effective way to encourage healthy eating habits, reduce the struggles of picky eating, and inject a bit of fun into everyday meals.

So, next time you’re planning dinner, grab a muffin tin or a sectioned tray and get creative! You’ll be amazed at how something so simple can make such a big difference in how your kids eat! And if anything, the simple joy we get from seeing the confusion on our kid’s face is hilarious the first time we hand them a snack tray LOL!

For more insights on budget-friendly dinner ideas, easy dinner recipes, meal plans, and the myriad of health benefits offered by natural foods, don’t forget to follow Homemaker Recipes. We’re here to help busy moms, health enthusiasts, and everyone in between discover the joys and benefits of home cooking! Home is where the best things are made!

Click here to get over 500 easy family dinner ideas at your fingertips!