In our family we do our best to eat together at meal time. Our kids are still little so it isn’t as hard as it is for some families who have older children in after school activities. I know it won’t be long before that changes for my family as well. Still, I plan to attempt to have dinner together every night so that we have that time to connect as a family. That might mean that some nights we have take-out or a quick meal of chicken nuggets and mac n cheese. I’m okay with that.
Here are some tips to make mealtimes more fun can create lasting memories:
- Invite everyone to help prepare dinner together. Talk about your day while you’re working
- Let the kiddos pick out their favorite dinner, something you feel good about serving but that they will still enjoy. Dinner time is so much more enjoyable when the kids are happy with what is being served. I much prefer the fast and easy meal the kids love over spending more time on a meal they don’t like and makes meal time an unpleasant experience.
- Have the kids help set the table. My kids love helping out and it gives them something to do while I work on preparing the meal.
- Give the kids a pre-meal activity like coloring or playing play-doh. This is another one of my tricks for keeping them occupied, yet in the same room as I get dinner ready.
- During dinner we encourage our children to tell us about their day. We ask questions and prompt them to fill us in on how their day went.
What are some topics your family discusses at dinnertime? Since our kids, and probably most kids for that matter, tend to give one word answers, how do you encourage them to join in a more spirited conversation?
Here are some kid friendly meal time must-haves for busy families:
Perdue Chicken Nuggets
A classic kid favorite just got better with Perdue chicken nuggets! The nuggets, which come in Disney·Pixar Cars-inspired shapes, are a wholesome nutritious option for dinner that will excite the entire family.
SRP: $4.99-$6.99 at grocery stores nationwide
Method Hand Soap
Method’s Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse-inspired hand wash comes in unique containers shaped likeDisney’s most delightful power couple, and the foaming soap will leave the whole family feeling fresh and clean.
SRP: $4.49 at Target stores
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese is sure to disappear lightning fast when your kids get to enjoy it in funDisney·Pixar Cars character shapes like Lightning McQueen! The fun cheesy classic will have kids begging for more!
SRP: $1.19 at grocery stores nationwide
Campbell’s Soups
As the weather cools, treat your kids to a warm bowl of Campbell’s soup with their favorite Disney characters on the label..
SRP: $1.29 at Walmart and Kroger stores
Enter now for a chance to win this week’s featured products and for the ultimate grand prize – a trip for four to a special Disney Magic of Healthy Living event at a Disney resort! See the official rules for more details.
Disney Living has launched the D-Lightful Living campaign on their Disney Living Facebook page. Over a 12 week period they’ll post a weekly challenge for families to encourage them to live a healthy lifestyle. These challenges will feature simple tips and product suggestions to make it easy. You’ll be able to download a checklist that outlines all 12 weekly challenges to help you track your progress. You’ll also be able to participate in an online forum to share tips with one another. Last, but not least, visitors will be able to enter to win a weekly Disney-branded product prize package! Be sure to visit Disney Living on Facebook for all of the details.
Complimentary products were provided for this post and I am being compensated for my time as a Disney Brand Ambassador, however, all opinions expressed are my own. See Mommies With Cents disclosure policy for more details.