Vacation Bible School Menu Ideas

Sharing is caring!

If you are helping to plan vacation bible school this summer, food ideas can be hard to come up with. You have to find things that kids will like, as well as ideas that are easy on the food budget and easy to clean up.

Here are some great Vacation Bible School Menu Ideas.

What does it mean to meal plan?

Meal planning is an essential part of a well-balanced and healthy lifestyle. This practice involves planning out your meals and snacks for the week ahead of time, making a grocery list, and prepping some meals in advance.

Meal planning not only saves time and money but also helps you make healthier choices when it comes to your food intake.

By planning out your meals, you have better control over portion sizes, ingredients, and overall nutrition. Additionally, meal planning allows you to reduce food waste by using up ingredients before they go bad.

Overall, meal planning is an effective way to streamline your eating habits and ensure that you are consuming a diverse range of healthy foods.

How do I teach kids the importance of the food pyramid?

Developing healthy eating habits at a young age is an essential step towards leading a long, healthy life. Educating kids about the importance of the food pyramid is a great starting point.

The food pyramid is a simple visual tool that helps us understand the recommended daily intake of different food groups to meet our nutritional needs.

To teach kids about the food pyramid, you can use games, model meals that adhere to the pyramid, and involve them in meal planning. Keeping it simple and relatable can help them understand the connection between the food pyramid and their overall health.

Encouraging kids to eat a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, will lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits.

What are good drink ideas for kids?

When it comes to finding good drink ideas for kids, it’s important to consider their health and well-being.

One great option is to offer them water, which is essential for keeping them hydrated throughout the day.

Another option is to make smoothies using fruits and vegetables, which provide important nutrients and vitamins.

Additionally, low-sugar fruit juices can be a tasty treat, but it’s important to read the labels and choose ones with limited added sugar.

Lastly, flavored milk or unsweetened almond milk can be a great choice for kids who love a creamy, flavorful drink.

No matter what choices are made, it’s important to monitor the amount of sugar and artificial ingredients in their drinks to ensure good health.

 

How can I have kids help with cooking meals and snacks?

Cooking is a great way to bond with children and to equip them with life-long skills. Involving kids in meal preparation also sets the stage for healthier eating habits and fosters a sense of responsibility.

Engaging young kids in meal preparation can be as simple as asking them to rinse the vegetables or measuring out ingredients.

As they get older, kids can take on more complex tasks like chopping vegetables or even assisting with meal planning and grocery shopping. For picky eaters, encouraging them to help cook a dish can make them more willing to try new foods.

By making meal preparation a family affair, you can turn a tedious chore into a fun activity that everyone can enjoy.

What are good ways to let kids prep for dinner and snacks?

When it comes to preparing dinner and snacks, getting your kids involved can be an excellent way to teach them valuable life skills and help them develop a love for cooking.

Start with simple tasks like washing fruits and vegetables, measuring out ingredients, or mixing ingredients together.

Over time, you can gradually increase the complexity of the tasks and let your kids take more control over the process. Encourage them to choose recipes they want to try and offer guidance on how to follow them step-by-step.

By empowering kids to take ownership of meal prep, they can feel proud of their accomplishments and develop an appreciation for healthy, homemade food.

Not to mention, it’s a great opportunity for quality time spent together.

How can I make meal times fun?

Meal times can sometimes be a mundane routine that many individuals find repetitive and boring. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. You can make meal times fun by getting creative.

Simple tricks could be mixing things up by bringing in some variety whether that means trying out different recipes, including colorful fruits and vegetables, or experimenting with new spices and seasonings.

You could also involve loved ones by inviting friends or family over for a meal and bringing everyone together to chat and enjoy each other’s company while eating.

Another way to rejuvenate meal times is by changing the atmosphere, whether it’s moving from the dining table to a picnic on the patio or a themed dinner party to make things a little more interesting.

By keeping your meal times exciting and enjoyable, you’ll look forward to them every day!

Vacation Bible School Menu Ideas: Breakfast

Carrot Cake Muffins – Easy breakfast idea in an “easy for kids to hold” form!  No utensils required.

Fruit/Yogurt/Granola Bar – Fun breakfast idea where the kids can make their own yogurt parfait. Create a yogurt bar with fresh fruit and granola and provide the kids cups to fill and create their own breakfast.

Cold Cereal Bar – Create a bar with a few different healthy cold cereal options. Either the big boxes that the kids can pour themselves, or purchase the smaller boxes so each child gets their own. Be sure to provide a few different milk options in case some are lactose intolerant.

English Muffin Egg Pizza – Create little breakfast pizzas. Kids love any kinds of pizza. 🙂

Bagel and Cream Cheese – Create a bagel bar with various types of bagels and a couple toasters. Provide toppings such as different flavors of cream cheese and peanut butter.

Chocolate Croissant – You’ll be hard pressed to find a child who doesn’t like chocolate.

 

Vacation Bible School Menu Ideas: Snacks

Easy Cheesecake – Mix equal parts jam and cream cheese and spread on a section of a graham cracker. Yum!

Jello or Pudding cups – Kids can grab a cup and a spoon and they are set.

Healthy Whoopie Pies – This yummy snack but a healthier option.

Fruit or Applesauce cups – A healthy option and one that is so easy to serve and clean up. Make sure to have a little variety for the picky eaters.

Raw vegetable tray with dip – Set out trays filled with a few types of fresh veggies. Serve with a dip like ranch. Kids love to dip their food.

Trail Mix – Great choice if they are taking their snack outside. Have pre-filled cups or baggies filled with trail mix ready for them to grab and go.

Fresh Fruit – Create trays with a few different types of fresh fruit. Let the kids make their own fruit salad in a cup.

Shop My Printables

These printables are great for meal planning and organizing! Simply click the image to check out my shop products!

Vacation Bible School Menu Ideas:  Lunches

Any of the below ideas can be served with applesauce cups, fruits cups, bags of carrot stick, pickles, chips or other healthy side options that are also easy to clean up.

Tacos on the Go – Get a small bag of Fritos Corn Chips or Doritos for each child. Set out bowls filled with one scoop of ground beef with taco seasoning. Then have a small bar filled with lettuce, cheese and other toppings for the kids to choose their own. They can top their taco creation with their bag of chips.

Crescent Hot Dogs – Wrap a hot dog in a crescent roll and bake for about 15 mins at 375 degrees. You can add cheese to some and leave some without and let the kids choose.

English Muffin Mini Pizzas – Spread pizza sauce on half an english muffin. Top with cheese, pepperoni and whatever else you may want. Bake for about 15 mins at 37 degrees.

Sandwich Bar – Create trays of meats and cheeses and let the kids create their own sandwiches on rolls.

Sloppy Joes – Make a large batch of sloppy Joe and serve to kids on rolls.

Quesadillas – These can be made ahead of time and kept warm in the oven or someone could be cooking them as the kids go through the line. Cheese is a good option or you could also make some with chicken. Serve with salsa.

Grilled Cheese – These can be also made ahead of time and kept warm in the oven, or be cooking them as kids come through the line.

Chicken Nuggets and Fries – Easy to make and always a crowd pleaser. Be sure to have ketchup and ranch for dipping!

Sharing is caring!