Everything about our lives has changed this year. Luckily, there are a few things that can be controlled. One of those things is what we feed our children. If your little ones are anything like ours, then we’re sure they’re begging for their favorite foods — and by that we mean comfort foods! Hopefully it’s not just cheddar bunnies.. 

Many children are attending school virtually while their parents work from home. That’s why, for us, the name of the game is quick and easy. 

Pair these common comfort foods with fruits and vegetables between their Zoom classes and school work. We guarantee you’ll have a stress free, balanced meal. And if you're looking for some easy snacks for kids, check out our guide with recipes and ideas!

1. Macaroni and Cheese 

Do you know a child that doesn’t love macaroni and cheese? Buy some Easy Mac and you can have an entire meal for the children in under five minutes! Stir some steamed broccoli into the mix and add some apple slices on the side for a fun, fast and easy meal.

2. Pizza

Don’t feel guilty for pulling out the frozen foods when you’re in a hurry! Grab a frozen pizza and you’ll have lunch ready in under 15 minutes. Chop up some fresh fruit for the side and just like that, your children will have one of their favorite meals, fast and healthy!

3. Chicken legs

On your weekly grocery trip, buy a rotisserie chicken and pull the legs off. Pair the chicken legs with raw broccoli and ranch for a winning meal! Shred the rest of the chicken and put it in the fridge to help make faster meals later in the week. 

4. Quesadillas

Does your child beg for quesadillas? No problem. Throw the shredded chicken on a tortilla with cheese and cook it in a skillet for five minutes. Add some baby carrots and ranch for a happy child with a full stomach.  

5. Spaghetti

Spaghetti is another meal that you can make on the weekend. Simply store it in the refrigerator and microwave when your child is ready. Add some parmesan cheese to the top to make it extra yummy. To add in a serving of veggies, make your spaghetti with mushrooms, peppers, squash and onions. 

6. Hotdogs

Remember — fast and easy. That’s why hotdogs are in the mix. To make your child’s hotdog a little more exciting than just ketchup and mustard, follow this recipe for sliders with mango and pineapple salsa. Veggie hotdogs are available, too!

7. Cheeseburgers

What child doesn’t love a cheeseburger? Wait, wait — making a cheeseburger isn’t exactly fast. Whoops. Oh, but you know what is fast? Hamburger Helper. Don’t feel bad for using pre-packaged or frozen foods from time to time. Life is hard right now and sometimes we need to go with food that is quick and easy. 

8. Chicken nuggets

This is another time when you can turn to your freezer for lunch. Throw some chicken nuggets into the oven or microwave and pair with your child’s favorite sauce: honey mustard, barbeque, or even ranch. Add some fresh fruit or veggies for a little balance. 

9. Nachos

This recipe for skillet nachos will have your children asking for a second helping. Start out by browning your meat. Once that’s finished, stir in corn, rice, tomatoes, taco seasoning and a little salt. Cook and put on nacho chips with your favorite toppings. Think sour cream, shredded lettuce, and onions.

10. PB&J Sandwich

The holy grail of quick snacks. You can have the standard peanut butter and jelly sandwich ready in a few minutes. But if you want to make it even faster, grab an Uncrustable out of the fridge. Pair it with a banana if your child needs lunch while you’re on a video call. Make sure to turn off your camera first!

Sometimes you need a meal on the fly. With these options you’ll be able to keep your children full and happy during the week! They’ll be able to focus on school work, which means you’ll be able to focus on your work!