Free Downloadable Lunch and Snack Meal Planner
June 2022
Last reviewed: June 2022
About Kids Eat in Color
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
Inside: Preparing for a Fourth of July party? See our list of easy, healthy and fun 4th of July recipes for kids and families to plan your menu.
‘Tis the season for cookouts, picnics and barbecues. Whether you’re gathering a big group or just a few special friends, you’ll need some kid-friendly, summer recipes to help you plan your party menus.
With Independence Day right around the corner, check out this list of fun 4th of July recipes for kids and families. You’ll find something to please everyone in your house from picky eaters to those with healthy appetites. Get your grills ready and dig in!
In this article, we share the following Fourth of July recipes for kids, plus picky eating tips:
Serving picky eaters at family events
Breakfast recipes
Snack recipes
Appetizer and side recipes
Main course recipes
Dessert recipes
Need help with a picky eater that refuses to eat at parties? If you’re going to be serving your toddler a new Fourth of July recipe at your party, try to get your child to help you prepare it. Getting toddlers and picky eaters to touch, smell and interact with new foods when cooking can be a great, low-pressure way to expose kids to the foods.
Additionally, when introducing a new food to your selective eater, describe the food by its physical characteristics and in neutral, objective terms.
For instance, if you’re serving cilantro hummus at your 4th of July gathering and it’s a new dish for your child, you could say, “This hummus has cilantro in it. Cilantro is a green herb. Sometimes we eat cilantro in our tacos.”
Talking about food in this way helps your picky child learn about the food without feeling pressured to eat it. For more tips on talking to kids about food, see our “How to Talk” printable guide.
Download our free picky eater guide From Stress to Success to get more mealtime strategies for serving your picky eater.
If you’re planning a long day of Independence Day activities, you’ll need to start your children off with a hearty and filling breakfast. Here are some easy 4th of July recipes for kids to get your day started.
Need more ideas? Get more breakfast recipes for kids.
Good snacks are a must-have whether you’re hanging outside or partying indoors. Snacks help set the party mood–and the kids’ moods, too.
For more dip ideas, see our list of filling, protein-packed dips for kids.
Round out your main entrees with tasty sides and appetizers. These healthy 4th of July recipes for kids are fast, easy and refreshing. They’re perfect for eating outside with your family or for serving a crowd.
You can never have too many snack ideas! Read our guide to snacks for toddlers and kids.
For a picky-eater-approved 4th of July entree, make mini sliders with mini corn cakes and pulled pork. Or, serve kid-friendly sandwiches like our fish stick po’boy. For a meatless option, fire up the grill and heat up naan pizzas (or bake them in the oven).
Picky eater tip: If your toddler is still learning to like sliders, serve them deconstructed, with all the elements separated.
Shop our courses to learn more ways to feed toddlers and picky eaters.
You’ve got to end the festivities with something sweet. Close out your 4th of July party with some of these tasty desserts for kids and toddlers.
These family-fun Fourth of July recipes can assist in planning your party menu, but for help with daily and weekday meals, check out the Real Easy Weekdays meal plan. It teaches you how to easily and quickly plan breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for your busy family. Get your copy today!
About Kids Eat in Color
Created by experts, Kids Eat in Color is the leading resource for families seeking evidence-based information and strategies on child nutrition and feeding.
