It’s summer, and the school holidays are upon us.

I guess for a lot of us though, time is blurring into one. If you’re suffering a change in routine due to Covid-19 – I feel you! The only real difference for us will be (hopefully) more sun, and less school work set.

I’m not sure about you, but usually when the summer holidays are upon us, routines get a little crazy. We seem to either have a day of rushing about on the move, or a complete day in the house with a load of time to prep meals and bake. With Covid-19, there may be less days out than usual, less meals in restaurants, and just generally more excuses to stay home. Cooking together can be a great way to pass the time!

I’ve been looking for some great child-friendly recipes for the summer, to help keep my little girl nourished and energised while we take part in various activities. Making food is also a great activity to learn new skills. My daughter loves being in the kitchen, helping to make meals and treats. It also makes her more likely to eat the end result – a great way to get those veggies in!

Here are some of the great child-friendly recipes for summer I’ve found… do give them a try, and let your little one help out with the prep!

Savoury Vegan Meals for Kids

Cucumber Houmous Bites – 

How cute are these? The kids won’t be able to resist them… and neither could I! These bites make perfect appetizers or BBQ snacks. Thanks to Drive Me Hungry for this lovely addition.

Cucumber Houmous Bites

Mexican Pasta Salad – 

This lunch idea has only 7 ingredients, and takes 10 minutes to make, so great for a quick rustle-up. All of the recipes from ‘Strength and Sunshine’ are allergy-friendly, and this one has a great hit of protein too.

Air Fryer Popcorn Tofu

Air Fryer Popcorn Tofu –

Movie night, anyone? This one is a little more complex, but SO worth the effort! Just check out the finished result. The kids will go crazy for these and you can rest assured that they’re not full of oil and nasties. Thank you ‘V Nutrition’ for such a lovely snack.

Sweet Potato Gnocchi –

Sounds complex, but it only has 4 ingredients. This healthy recipe from ‘My Pure Plants’ is high in Vitamin A and very visually pleasing too – just check out that colour!

Ramen Noodle Salad – 

Another great dish from ‘V Nutrition’ is this fab noodle salad. No lettuce in sight, so less chance of the little ones turning their nose up at it! This lunch recipe is full of colour.

Buffalo Patty – 

I love how filling this burger looks! It’s healthy and holds together really well. Children would love to help with making the patties. You could even make bite-size versions for toddlers. Thank you to ‘The Vegan Gloss’.

Vegetarian Chilli

Vegetarian Chilli –

This dish is ideal for older kids who like a little spice. It’s also a great way to teach them a simple dinner recipe for when they become more independent – sob! Thanks to Ami Rose for this easy creation.

Snack Plates – 

Looking for something customizable? Snack plates make a great lunch or grazing platter for lazy craft afternoons in the house. Realistic Plant-Based Mama has some fab suggestions for what to include on them.

Macaroni Cheese – 

If your child is anything like mine, they love pasta and cheese. This easy recipe from your favourite vegan (me!) should be a hit with the whole family.

Macaroni Cheese

Sweet Vegan Dishes for Kids

Vegan Chocolate Popsicles – 

So summery! These frozen treats from ‘This Wife Cooks’ have only 3 ingredients, and include hidden tofu goodness. A perfect simple recipe to get the kids involved in.

Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookies

Chocolate Chip Chickpea Cookies –

Yes – chickpeas, and yes – they are still delicious! This recipe from ‘With Extra Veg’ is nut-free and oil-free, so they’re also ideal for taking to school in September. It’s also really fun getting your kids to say the name of this dessert quickly!

Vegan Blueberry Muffins – 

These muffins are easy on the eye, and have no added sugar – so are perfect for toddlers and baby-led weaning too! This pud from ‘Mrs Jones’s Kitchen’ is naturally sweet with no complex ingredients.

Lemon Poppy Seeds Pancakes – 

These look so good! Kids love putting the toppings on pancakes, creating faces and shapes, so it’s a great idea for a snack/activity to keep them occupied at the table for a while. Thank you to ‘Twenty-Something and Blooming’ for sharing this.

Lemon and Elderflower Ice Lollies

Lemon and Elderflower Ice Lollies – 

Fancy lollies for impressing guests over the summer! The little ones can help to make them, enjoy them… but they’re perfect for us grown-ups too! Huge thanks to ‘Vegan On Board’ for this refreshing treat we can all enjoy.

No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies – 

These gorgeous cookies from ‘A Baking Journey’ are genius! No oven required which means no burnt little fingers! There are only 4 ingredients needed, plus they’re also gluten-free.

Raw Fruit Cake – 

Looking for an impressive cake with plenty of nutrients, but not packed with refined sugar? We got you! This gorgeous fruit and nut cake from ‘Veronika Honestly’ ticks every box, without the unhealthy mum-guilt afterwards.

Peanut Butter Protein Balls – 

I’m loving these for a quick snack on the go – they’re deceptively filling! Alexis D Lee has created a great bitesize protein punch – but do remember to substitute the honey for maple syrup.

Looking for more summer holiday meal inspiration?

Do go and check out ‘The Fat Vegan Baby’ Facebook page. Chelsea posts many healthy meal ideas for children that are all vegan.

There are also two great vegan cookbooks for children that I would recommend – ‘The Help Yourself Cookbook for Kids‘ and ‘My First Vegan Cookbook‘.

Do you have a summery, child-friendly meal to offer? Let us know in the comments and share the love!

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