5 Breakfasts Kids Can Make All By Themselves

The easiest way to teach your kids to start preparing meals for themselves is to let them make their own breakfast. Not only does this save you precious time in the kitchen on busy weekdays, but it also allows you extra time to sleep on weekends if your little ones are early risers!

If your kids have already mastered cereal-pouring and sandwich making, it's time for them to learn to actually cook! In my membership, Teach Your Kids to Cook, we start with the basics and work through techniques that allow your kids to prepare a meal from start to finish even if they've never cooked before. To learn more about my membership, click here.

These ideas are easy enough for young children to prepare themselves with only a few minutes of instruction the night before.

Peanut Butter Toast with Smashed Berries

Your child can use a toaster oven to toast two pieces of bread, a split English muffin or bagel. Spread each slice of bread or each half of the muffin or bagel with 1 Tablespoon peanut butter or your favorite nut butter. Smash a handful of blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or strawberries on a plate with the tines of a fork. Scrape half of the smashed berries onto each piece of toast. Optional, but kid approved: drizzle with maple syrup or dust with powdered sugar. We keep powdered sugar in a shaker for the kids to use. 

Build A Yogurt Parfait

Store single serving yogurt containers in your refrigerator on an easy to reach shelf. Then let your child build their own breakfast “sundae” by setting out toppings like nuts, granola, berries,  chocolate chips or shredded coconut.

Cereal

Cold cereal with milk is a childhood classic! To set your child up for success, purchase a half gallon of milk or even a smaller carton if necessary. Start as small as you think is best for you and your child. You want this to be an accomplishment that makes your child beam with pride! Store the milk on a shelf in the refrigerator your child can easily reach. Practice pouring the milk together a few times before your child pours alone.

Frozen Waffles or Pancakes

Pop two whole grain waffles or pancakes into the toaster.  Drizzle with syrup. Either set a banana out for your child to peel and eat along with the waffles or pancakes or let them slice the banana with a butter knife and arrange banana slices on top of the waffle or pancake before drizzling with syrup.

Tortilla Wrap

A savory twist on breakfast. Show your child how to spread a whole wheat tortilla with one tablespoon of hummus. Top with slices of deli turkey and spinach leaves. Roll up and eat.