The Kid-Friendly Weekly Meal Planner Template You Need!

One thing is for certain, 2020 is likely NOT the way you imagined your children to return to school. Whether they are partaking in full-time in person, hybrid, virtual, or you have opted to homeschool… the fact of the matter remains… uncertainty and unpredictably can lead to anxiety and increased stress. With that said, why not cut even a fraction of that unpredictability by taking control over even one aspect of your new routine- meal planning. My kid-friendly weekly meal planner template (available as a free printable) is exactly what you need! 

A Year of Firsts

2020 was supposed to a spark a year of first. The first time my oldest daughter would attend all-day school (specifically kindergarten). The first time my youngest daughter would attend 3 half-days a week school (specially preschool). And the first time this work from home mama would have uninterrupted work stretches since entering motherhood. Instead, we are experiencing a first we never thought we’d experience. For the first time, this mama will be assisting my kindergartner with a 5-day week virtual learning program, while simultaneously homeschooling my preschooler, and still trying to work from home (however, instead of uninterrupted, will full interruptions). [Insert deep breathing into a paper bag!]

Taking Back Control

Trying with all my might to to see the glass half full (after all, 2020 is blessing me with another year of having my babies at home (their childhoods really go WAY too fast)), I also new that things weren’t always going to be rainbows and puppies. I knew that wearing multiple hats on one head would prove to be rather difficult. I also knew that when I could take back control, I needed to!

Simple Idea/Big Impact

Then my sister-in-law (the master chef who helped me create amazing recipe posts in the past… see here, here, and here) came up with a brilliant idea as she too would be home working while leading her oldest child through virtual school and simultaneously caring for her toddler. She suggested the concept of creating a school menu, but for the home. In other words, a kid-friendly weekly meal planner template that could be filled in and structured for both the parent and child’s benefit. 

The idea is simple, but the impact is huge. Each week simply download and print my weekly meal planner template. Designed in a very simple black and white format, you won’t break the bank on diminishing your colored ink cartridge. Furthermore, your child can have fun coloring the template for an added activity. After printing, fill in the weekly meal planner for a daily breakfast, morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack. The evening meal is left off the planner to allow for last minute changes and to best replicate the meal plan of a school (no dinner at school). 

Meal Planning

Parents are encouraged to meal plan the weekend prior so that each day the guesswork is removed from the meal plan process throughout the busy weekdays. Furthermore, similar to how a meal plan would be executed at in-person school, your child is well aware of what is on the menu ahead of time (eliminating any arguments from your picky eaters). 

Below you will find a list of meal prep ideas. Simple, healthy, and to the point- similar to a school food plan. Feel free to use the exact suggestions, or add to your list based on your child’s interests!

Breakfast Suggestions

• Egg Cups
• Baked Oatmeal Cups
• Freezer Pancakes
• Freezer Waffles
• Cereal
• Smoothies
• Toast- PB + Banana + Honey, Avocado
• English Muffins
• Yogurt Parfaits
• Freezer Muffins

Lunch Suggestions

• Mac N’ Cheese
• Pesto Pasta with Chicken
• Grilled Cheese
• Soup + Crackers
• Nachos
• Quesadillas
• Naan Pizza
• Bagel Pizzas
• Rice and Beans Bowl
• Turkey Burgers
• Chicken Nuggests
• Ravioli
• Chicken Teriyaki
• Stir Fry
• Chicken and Lentils
• Corn Dog Muffins
• Turkey or Ham Pinwheels
• Egg Rolls
• PB&J
• Tacos
• Spaghetti
• Hot Dogs
• Breakfast for Lunch
• Chili
• Tuna Salad/Crackers or Tuna Sandwich
• Homemade Lunchables

Sides

• Crackers
• Sweet Potato Fries
• Baby Red Potatoes
• Applesauce
• String Cheese
• Hard Boiled Eggs
• Olives
• Pickles
• Roasted Veggies
• Raisins

Fruits & Veggies

• Veggies paired with Hummus
• Carrots
• Cucumbers
• Pepper Slices
• Tomatoes
• Snap Peas
• Green Beans
• Apples
• Bananas
• Melon
• Berries
• Clementines
• Peaches
• Pineapples
• Pears

Snacks

• • Fruit (with peanut butter or caramel/chocolate)
  • Protein Balls
  • Veggies + Hummus
  • Cheddar Bunnies
  • Fruit Snacks
  • Pouches (applesauce/yogurt)
  • Pretzels + PB/Hummus
  • String Cheese
  • Ants on a Log
  • Cereal/Granola Bar
  • Banana “Sushi”
  • Apple Sandwiches