Healthy and Nutritious Holiday Feast Ideas for Kids

It’s that time of year again! The holidays are here, and it can be hard to make sure the whole family is getting the nutrition they need. Kids are especially picky about their food, so you want to make sure the meals you serve them during the holiday season are both healthy and delicious. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite kid-friendly holiday feast ideas!

Veggie Skewers with Hummus Dip

Veggie skewers are a great way to get your kids eating their greens in a fun way. All you have to do is cut up your favorite vegetables into cubes (carrots, cucumbers, peppers, etc.) and stick them onto bamboo skewers. Serve them with hummus dip on the side for a nutritious snack or appetizer. Or you can be even more creative and make them look like Santa or the Grinch!

Baked Chicken Fingers

These tasty chicken fingers are an easy and healthy alternative to fried chicken nuggets. All you need is some boneless skinless chicken breasts sliced into strips, breadcrumbs and spices like garlic powder and paprika. Toss everything together in an egg wash and bake at 375 degrees until golden brown (165 degrees Fahrenheit). Serve them with tiny bowls of dip (plum sauce, BBQ or ranch) for little fingers to enjoy. 

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are packed full of vitamins and minerals, making them a nutritious addition to any meal. Simply cut your sweet potatoes into cubes, toss with olive oil and your favorite spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.), then roast in the oven at 350 degrees until tender. Or cut them into fries, pop them in the air fryer with some olive oil and lightly salt. These tasty treats will have even picky eaters coming back for seconds! 

Extra Tips

If you don’t want to create a separate menu- let’s be honest, one menu is more than enough- try these ideas instead:

• Name the menu items with a fun, kid-friendly theme. Try a Grinch theme with Roast Beast (roast beef), Who Mash (mashed potatoes) and Who Pudding (could be pudding, bread pudding or really any delicious dessert).
• Have the kids join in for some of the meal prep- washing potatoes, setting the table, making fancy name cards. Make them part of the team so they can be proud of their contributions.
• Have a few kid-friendly staples on hand- veggie tray, fresh rolls, fresh fruit so even the pickiest eaters will find a way to fill their plate.
• Get creative- strawberries can turn into Santa’s with a little slice and whipped cream, mashed potatoes can mold into snowman and sugar cookies can be pre-decorated or turned into a kid friendly activity while they wait.

We hope these holiday feast ideas give you some inspiration when it comes to feeding your family this festive season! Remember that it’s all about balance—try mixing up different types of protein, veggies, grains and fruits so that everyone gets all the nutrients they need without sacrificing flavour or nutrition.