How to Cope with Feeding Kids This Summer Holiday

School is out, and if you’re a parent like me, you’re probably hearing “I’m hungry!” more times than you can count before noon. The summer holidays bring long, unstructured days—and with kids at home 24/7, feeding them suddenly feels like a full-time job. Between the constant snacking, the growing appetites, and the picky eating phases, it’s enough to wear anyone out. But don’t worry, I’ve got you.

Here are some realistic, budget-friendly, and sane ways to cope with feeding your kids this summer.

---

1. Create a Flexible Meal and Snack Schedule

Kids thrive on routine—even during the holidays. Setting designated times for breakfast, snacks, lunch, and dinner helps reduce the all-day grazing and “Mummy I’m hungry” complaints every 10 minutes.

A sample schedule might look like:

• 8:00 AM – Breakfast
• 10:30 AM – Snack
• 1:00 PM – Lunch
• 4:00 PM – Light snack (fruit or yoghurt)
• 6:30 PM – Dinner

It helps manage expectations and gives you structure to plan meals around.

---

2. Keep a Snack Station

Designate a shelf in the fridge or a section in the pantry for snacks. Fill it with pre-approved, portion-controlled options like:

• Boiled eggs
• Sliced fruits or cucumbers
• Popcorn
• Yoghurts
• Chin chin
• Crackers or biscuits
• Granola bars

That way, when they say they’re hungry between meals, they know where to go—and you’re not on snack duty all day.

---

3. Batch Cook and Freeze

Take one day a week to prep a few meals or snacks in bulk. Things like:

• Jollof rice
• Spaghetti sauce
• Meatballs
• Moi Moi
• Akara
• Pancakes
• Puff puff
• Chin-Chin
  These can be made ahead, frozen, and pulled out on busy or lazy days. You’ll thank yourself later.

---

4. Get the Kids Involved in the Kitchen

Turn meal prep into a summer activity. Let them help with simple tasks like:

• Mixing pancake batter
• Washing vegetables
• Rolling dough
• Assembling sandwiches

Not only does this make them feel useful, but they’re also more likely to eat what they helped make. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to teach life skills and even a bit of math (measuring ingredients!).

---

5. Rotate Easy Meal Ideas

It’s okay to repeat meals. Kids actually enjoy routine more than we think. Rotate a few simple favourites:

• Jollof Spaghetti + boiled egg + vegetables
• Toast + peanut butter + fruit
• Fried rice
• Yam and egg sauce
• Pap and akara
• Sweet potato fries and grilled chicken
  Keep a list of 10–15 go-to meals and rotate through them to reduce decision fatigue.

---

6. Don’t Stress About Perfection

Some days will be healthy, colourful, and Pinterest-worthy. Other days it’s bread and tea for dinner—and that’s fine. The goal is to feed your kids, not to run a gourmet restaurant. Give yourself grace.

---

7. Add Water to the Mix

With all the summer heat and activity, kids need hydration. Always have cold water or zobo/smoothies on hand. Sometimes when they say they’re hungry, they’re really just thirsty.

---

Feeding kids this summer doesn’t have to drain your energy or your wallet. With a bit of planning, a lot of grace, and plenty of snacks, you’ll get through it—one meal at a time.

And remember: the kids will survive if lunch is rice and plantain for the third time this week. You’re doing just fine.