No Time For Flash Cards

preschool activities, preschool crafts, and preschool books.

  • Blog
  • About
    • Terms Of Use
    • Disclaimer
    • Holiday Gift Guide For Kids
    • Advertise
    • In The Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Bloglovin
  • Preschool Activities
  • crafts for kids
    Preschool Crafts
  • Preschool Books
  • sensory alphabet activity
    Letters & Numbers
  • For Teachers
  • Toddlers
  • Preschool
  • Kindergarten
  • Elementary

March 2, 2010 | 36 Comments

Homemade Kids Meal

Home Made Kids Meal

I don’t plan out my posts much more than a scrap paper or notebook page of brainstorms. This post was not planned at all. My son was under the weather and wouldn’t eat. I knew he needed to eat lunch and when I asked ” If you could have anything what would you eat?” his answer was “A Happy Meal” . I was not taking him to McDonald’s every time he is sick! . So instead we made one at home. Huge , huge success !  He was sick and not at all into doing anything but this would be a fun parent and child activity. I am sure this is a healthier option ( not by much… but it is organic) more importantly it’s a treat at home!

  1. Gather your ingredients and materials. You will need a paper bag, some markers, foil, containers, straw..whatever you need to package your food. Don’t forget a toy or prize as well! We played restaurant as well so I grabbed some money and a tray to complete the pretend play. Home Made Kids Meal
  2. Start by decorating the bag – I wish my son was feeling well enough to do it but instead he told me to make one with fish. Home Made Kids Meal
  3. Make your food! We made apple slices, chicken nuggets, ranch dip , and milk. Home Made Kids Meal
  4. Pack your meal up and don’t forget the prize,  I popped some Olympic stickers in for him. Home Made Kids Meal
  5. Take their order and their money! Home Made Kids Meal
  6. Dig in! Home Made Kids Meal
  7. He cleaned his plate and loved the stickers. Home Made Kids Meal

Books

Dinner At The Panda Palace

Dinner at the Panda Palace by Stephanie Calmenson is a great book. I grabbed it only because of the title but found a gem. My son and I both loved it and had a blast reading it. The story is about a restaurant and the people , or rather animals that come into the restaurant in ever enlarging groups. The text is rhyming and well written. My son loved counting each group that came in figuring out after a few that each group was one animal larger. It was a great opportunity to practice one to one correspondence as he counted one each page.  There was also a great message about there always being room for one more when all the chairs were taken and a mouse came knocking wondering if he could eat too!How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food

How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? by Jan Yolen is a book all about eating in the popular and well loved series of dinosaur books . My son loves these books, he likes that the dinosaurs always misbehave in such over the top ways before the reality of how they really behave, well mannered , listening to their parents and eating all thier food. What I like about this is that kids relate to the dinosaurs and I have never had one question why the parents are human. I like that children are encouraged to sit still and say please and thank you. What I don’t like is that the dinosaurs are encouraged to clean their plate, never drop anything and try everything put before them. I know some parents will love these rules but for our house it doesn’t work, we don’t encourage plate cleaning or force bites. The book still served a purpose, as my son said loudly ” I’m a boy I don’t have to eat everything, right?” and we had a good talk about eating.

Filed Under: Age Preschool, Age: Kindergarten, Age: Toddlers, Food Activities, Food Books, Pretend Play | 36 Comments

Like this post? Share it with a friend!

Become an Email Subscriber

Sign up above and receive all new No Time for Flashcards posts directly in your email inbox.

You may also like these posts

kids craftshttps://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2018/07/under-the-sea-theme-lesson-plans.htmlvalentine's day ideas for toddlers
Next Post: Number Match Game
Previous Post: Letter H Craft – Letter Of The Week

36 Comments

  1. Elisa says

    March 2, 2010 at 1:59 am

    Lovely idea! I’ll try it next time my son is at home!
    .-= Elisa´s last blog ..Inizio la settimana con un appello =-.

    to Elisa" aria-label='reply to this comment to Elisa'>reply to this comment
  2. EntertainingMom says

    March 2, 2010 at 2:25 am

    Alexander will LOVE this idea! I will have to do this on one of his half days…

    Also commenting for your letter of the week below. Love that too!
    .-= EntertainingMom´s last blog ..Pour, Pour me… No Wine tonight… =-.

    to EntertainingMom" aria-label='reply to this comment to EntertainingMom'>reply to this comment
  3. dana says

    March 2, 2010 at 4:25 am

    that is too funny!
    .-= dana´s last blog ..Takin’ the Plunge =-.

    to dana" aria-label='reply to this comment to dana'>reply to this comment
  4. Jessica says

    March 2, 2010 at 6:00 am

    This is another awesome idea!
    .-= Jessica´s last blog ..Free Museum Admission =-.

    to Jessica" aria-label='reply to this comment to Jessica'>reply to this comment
  5. CraftyRachel says

    March 2, 2010 at 6:10 am

    Fabulous idea! Sometimes it really is just about the presentation.
    .-= CraftyRachel´s last blog ..New Month, New ‘Do =-.

    to CraftyRachel" aria-label='reply to this comment to CraftyRachel'>reply to this comment
  6. Celeste says

    March 2, 2010 at 6:36 am

    This is such a cute idea. Both my kids will be home Friday I might have to try it. Thanks!
    .-= Celeste´s last blog ..Lost so far =-.

    to Celeste" aria-label='reply to this comment to Celeste'>reply to this comment
  7. Lindsay @ Bytes of Memory says

    March 2, 2010 at 7:22 am

    What a great way to encourage a sick kiddo to eat something! Also fun for a picnic or special treat!

    to Lindsay @ Bytes of Memory" aria-label='reply to this comment to Lindsay @ Bytes of Memory'>reply to this comment
  8. Michelle says

    March 2, 2010 at 7:34 am

    I agree, what a great idea! A special treat or for a picnic! How’d you do your chicken nuggets?

    to Michelle" aria-label='reply to this comment to Michelle'>reply to this comment
    • admin says

      March 2, 2010 at 8:01 am

      It’s totally all about the presentation! The nuggets are the dino ones – I cooked them in the oven and wrapped them in foil.

      to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment
  9. Jennifer says

    March 2, 2010 at 7:54 am

    This is such a cute idea! My son doesn’t really care about Happy Meals yet, but I’m sure that will change as he gets older. I think a lot of times it’s not the junk food that the kids want, it’s just the novelty of how it’s presented.
    .-= Jennifer´s last blog ..A good samaritan =-.

    to Jennifer" aria-label='reply to this comment to Jennifer'>reply to this comment
  10. Beverly says

    March 2, 2010 at 8:42 am

    love this idea. Noah loves that dino book!
    .-= Beverly´s last blog ..Please Spread the Word =-.

    to Beverly" aria-label='reply to this comment to Beverly'>reply to this comment
  11. Nikki says

    March 2, 2010 at 9:14 am

    My kids are going to be so thrilled when we do this! You are awesome. as usual.
    .-= Nikki´s last blog ..Good bye February! Hello March! =-.

    to Nikki" aria-label='reply to this comment to Nikki'>reply to this comment
  12. Tonya says

    March 2, 2010 at 11:21 am

    Very cute idea! My girls will love it.
    .-= Tonya´s last blog ..The Usborne Little Book of Flowers =-.

    to Tonya" aria-label='reply to this comment to Tonya'>reply to this comment
  13. Josie says

    March 2, 2010 at 11:34 am

    Playing resturaunt is my daughters favorite way to eat lunch. I never thought to make a happy meal though. We’re definitly going to try this one!

    to Josie" aria-label='reply to this comment to Josie'>reply to this comment
  14. familyofthree says

    March 2, 2010 at 12:58 pm

    This is such a sweet idea! I’m fairly new to your site and look forward to your ideas everyday!

    I hope your son feels better soon!

    to familyofthree" aria-label='reply to this comment to familyofthree'>reply to this comment
  15. Holly T. says

    March 2, 2010 at 1:40 pm

    This is an AWESOME idea!! Thanks so much for this site – you have the best ideas! I have recommended this site to all parents in my early childhood class and they are now fans, too. Thanks again!
    .-= Holly T.´s last blog ..Organizing Junkie’s 28-Day Challenge…completed. =-.

    to Holly T." aria-label='reply to this comment to Holly T.'>reply to this comment
  16. rori says

    March 2, 2010 at 1:40 pm

    I love how you even put the Please Recycle Sign on! I’m glad you brought up the point about the food in the dinosaurs bks, I had never thought of that!

    to rori" aria-label='reply to this comment to rori'>reply to this comment
  17. Sandi says

    March 2, 2010 at 1:47 pm

    That’s great! We did this once with Lunchables. My daughter saw some in the store and was begging to get one (I don’t have a clue how she knew what they were??) Anyway, they are WAY to expensive for me so I suggested we make one at home. I cut the ham and cheese into squares/circles and stacked them up next to a stack of Ritz crackers. She was thrilled and I saved a bunch of money.

    to Sandi" aria-label='reply to this comment to Sandi'>reply to this comment
    • admin says

      March 2, 2010 at 3:38 pm

      That’s a wonderful idea too!

      to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment
  18. Monica Lavoie says

    March 2, 2010 at 2:01 pm

    What a great idea, Thanks!

    to Monica Lavoie" aria-label='reply to this comment to Monica Lavoie'>reply to this comment
  19. Joyce @ Keeping Up With The Moys says

    March 2, 2010 at 2:46 pm

    How fun! Hope he’s feeling better.
    .-= Joyce @ Keeping Up With The Moys´s last blog ..Family Favorites: Animal Stories Collection =-.

    to Joyce @ Keeping Up With The Moys" aria-label='reply to this comment to Joyce @ Keeping Up With The Moys'>reply to this comment
  20. Sandy says

    March 2, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    I have to tell you how much I love this idea! In fact, I am picking Felicia up early from school on Friday, and I think I might surprise her with one. She will be so happy!
    .-= Sandy´s last blog ..The View From My Front Window =-.

    to Sandy" aria-label='reply to this comment to Sandy'>reply to this comment
  21. admin says

    March 2, 2010 at 4:26 pm

    Rori – I am sensitive to food things and I just went to a great presentation about healthy family eating and they really pushed hard for parents to eliminate the “no thank you” bite idea so it was fresh in my mind.

    I still really love the series of books but this one will remain a library one, we own a few of the others.

    to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment
  22. Brian MacDonald says

    March 2, 2010 at 5:13 pm

    The “How Do Dinosaurs…” books are all great. Rhymes, great art, a nice message, and learning how to pronounce dinosaur names!
    .-= Brian MacDonald´s last blog ..Anatomy of “No Time for Flash Cards” (Episode 98) =-.

    to Brian MacDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Brian MacDonald'>reply to this comment
    • admin says

      March 2, 2010 at 5:42 pm

      I have such a hard time with the dinosaur names! My son is a pro though, our favorite book in the series is “How do dinosaurs say goodnight.”

      to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment
  23. Lexi says

    March 2, 2010 at 5:31 pm

    Love the Quatchi stickers 🙂

    to Lexi" aria-label='reply to this comment to Lexi'>reply to this comment
    • admin says

      March 2, 2010 at 5:44 pm

      Quatchi is a big deal here! My son has a zipper pull from the Olympics that he makes me put on all his zippers . Loved seeing all the billboards and buss signs with him, he would scream ” Mama look it’s Quatchi!! He’s on a bus , that bus , he’s on it with Miga!!” . I saw a Quatchi backpack at Save on and if my husband hadn’t been there to talk me out of it my son would have yet another backpack 😉

      to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment
  24. Jen says

    March 2, 2010 at 9:08 pm

    What a great idea to make lunch time fun! Hope you are feeling well with your pregnancy. My little guy is already 2 months old! I look forward to doing all of these fun preschool activities with him when he gets older. We read Dr. Suess today!
    🙂

    Jen
    .-= Jen´s last blog ..Happy Birthday, Dr. Suess! =-.

    to Jen" aria-label='reply to this comment to Jen'>reply to this comment
  25. Heather - Dollar Store Crafts says

    March 2, 2010 at 9:34 pm

    Fun idea! My boys would love it.
    .-= Heather – Dollar Store Crafts´s last blog ..Transform Valentine Hearts into Shamrocks =-.

    to Heather - Dollar Store Crafts" aria-label='reply to this comment to Heather - Dollar Store Crafts'>reply to this comment
  26. admin says

    March 2, 2010 at 10:56 pm

    Jen – 2 months already? Congrats! How is having a little man after 2 girls? I am excited and doing well. Thank you!

    to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment
  27. Shannon says

    March 3, 2010 at 6:51 am

    That’s a great idea!!

    to Shannon" aria-label='reply to this comment to Shannon'>reply to this comment
  28. Rachel says

    March 3, 2010 at 11:50 am

    You even made him pay for it! Awesome! I bet he had a blast!
    .-= Rachel´s last blog ..Magnetic Words: Great Way to Teach Site Words to Preschoolers =-.

    to Rachel" aria-label='reply to this comment to Rachel'>reply to this comment
  29. Molly says

    March 5, 2010 at 4:24 am

    What a GREAT idea!!!! I am SO doing this.
    .-= Molly´s last blog ..Craft with me 1, 2, 3…..Celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday! =-.

    to Molly" aria-label='reply to this comment to Molly'>reply to this comment
  30. Mandy says

    March 5, 2010 at 1:19 pm

    The homemade Happy Meal is such a great idea! I’m definitely going to give it a try! Thanks for posting!

    to Mandy" aria-label='reply to this comment to Mandy'>reply to this comment
  31. Paula says

    March 5, 2010 at 6:15 pm

    I love that idea!! We’re going to be doing dinners in the car on Monday nights and I think I may make them little take out dinners in a bag! FUN!
    .-= Paula´s last blog ..Frugal Friday =-.

    to Paula" aria-label='reply to this comment to Paula'>reply to this comment
  32. Christie says

    March 7, 2010 at 9:33 am

    I love this idea but what I am really writing about it the tray. Can you tell me where you found it. I live in Alaska and where I live it’s hard to find cool stuff. I love the trays and my little one would love them for so many things. Thanks a bunch

    to Christie" aria-label='reply to this comment to Christie'>reply to this comment

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search For Activities

Now In Paperback!

Buy NOW

All Activities

Become an Email Subscriber

Sign up above and receive all new No Time for Flash Cards posts directly in your email inbox.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Bloglovin

Copyright © 2008-2023 • No Time For Flash Cards - ACM Media LLC • Site Design by Emily White Designs