It’s officially back to school time! Back to teachers, homework, and the daily hustle and bustle!
The after-school routine doesn’t just include homework – there are also extracurricular activities such as sports, tutoring, and much more. With all of the activities back in full swing, it’s also time to start organizing the day – including dinnertime.
Both of my boys play competitive hockey, which means we are at an ice rink 5-6 times a week. Between the two of them, weeknights are hectic. So weeknight meals have to be quick, healthy and delicious.
There are often times we are having dinner super early, due to an early away game, and are eating by 4:30pm. Or we will end up having a late dinner after a game. That’s why most weeknight dinners have to be simple and easy.
Now that my boys are older, they can help in the kitchen too. And believe me, I take full advantage of that! Plus they like to get involved and are eager to learn how to cook.
One meal that everyone can help prepare together is Mexican. Nachos with cheese, salsa, and tacos are a great go-to weeknight meal that is simple and easy – as well as delicious!
While I get start cooking the meat on the stove top, the kids can shred the cheese, and cut the toppings – including lettuce and onions. I like to slice up some avocado, and chop up some cilantro and lime as well.
Throw all the toppings into a platter or individual bowls, and we’re done. That way, everyone can create their own hard or soft taco with Old El Paso Hard Soft kit, and make it just the way they like it.
If you’re really pressed for time, another trick for getting dinner on the table quickly is to precook the meat the day before. If you buy a whack of ground beef or turkey, use half for burgers one night, and half for Tacos the next.
If there are leftovers, have the kids pack them into containers to take to school for lunch the next day. Yummy tacos definitely beat having a boring sandwich at school!
How do you get your kids involved in the kitchen?
Disclosure: I’ve partnered with Old El Paso and as such receive perks and compensation for my participation. As always, the opinions expressed herein are my own.
19 Comments
I LOVE getting kids involved in the kitchen and helping!!! Looks like a deliciously simple recipe!
That looks great for dinner tonight. We are trying to get our little ones in the kitchen more but they end up being more then the way then helpful
My mom taught me to cook when I was very young and I still love it today. Being in the kitchen with her and learning how to turn ingredients into delicious meals are some of my favorite memories.
I find that foods like tacos, and other buildable things are a great way to get kids into the kitchen and out from in front of the tv. It is always more fun!! Looks like you guys had a blast!!
My kids loved putting their tacos together themselves. Putting out bowls of their favorites and letting them choose was so much better than doing it for them.
Tacos are our busy-night go to as well! We actually have them every tuesday because of soccer practice.
It’s important to have your kids involve in kitchen, me and my kids always had bonding and enjoying baking.
Cooking the beef ahead of time that way works for me! Tacos are a fun way to get kids in the kitchen.
This reminds me so much of the times when my kids are little. They used to be with me in the kitchen.
I will try this, I want my son to have enthusiasm in the kitchen. Although, he loves eating anything I cook.
I love tacos, good thing your son enjoyed this. I hope my son too, in the future!
Oooo nothing better than yummy tacos!!!! My duaghter loves to help out in the kitchen!
My hubby would love tacos so much and my two boys enjoyed to make a tacos.
I love tacos too! This is a good idea to involve the kids in preparing this amazing food. Awesome!!
I always love to involved both my kids in kitchen as well as in to any daily chores which could helpful for me so they could also learn some responsibility for their future. My kids love tacos so much which makes them spend extra time in kitchen anytime!
Tacos are always welcome here. I like to get the kids in the kitchen with me too.
I would usually bait my nephews into some promised fun activities and they see that as a fair deal. With that, I’m never alone in the kitchen, I also play a movie while they’re mixing flour and stuff.
I think kids like to help in the kitchen if they want what you’re preparing. My daughter likes to help in the kitchen too.
We have tacos all the time! I think it is my kids’ favorite meal of all!