“What’s for dinner?” My older sister dreaded hearing that question every day at 4 p.m. Although a professional organizer, she rarely made meal plans for her family of 5. She just didn’t enjoy cooking at all. Eventually, it became a running (lighthearted) joke among her kids. They’d ask just to hear her groan and say, “I have no idea.” My sister wanted to make dinnertime easy and fun for her family, so she eventually let them take the lead on certain nights.
For many moms, dinnertime can feel like a stressful scramble at the end of an already long day. However, with a small amount of planning, you can turn it into a fun, family-centered routine instead of a dreaded chore. Bring some well-deserved ease back into your evenings with these 4 ways to make dinnertime enjoyable for everyone!
1. Give your dinner a theme.
Did someone say Taco Tuesday? Bring on the chips and salsa! Theme nights can become something the whole family looks forward to each week. By choosing a different theme each week—like Taco Tuesday or Sushi Saturday—you can turn an ordinary meal into a fun experience. Kids will love getting involved in the theme, whether it’s dressing up, decorating the table, or helping to cook.
Take it further by exploring cultural themes, like “Fiesta Night” for Mexican cuisine or a “Paris café” vibe for French-inspired dishes. Not only does it spice up the dinner routine, but it also gives kids a chance to learn about different foods, cultures, and even a few cooking skills along the way. And, hey, don’t forget about Cereal Sunday! (That’s my personal favorite.)
2. Get the conversation flowing.
Research published in the Canadian Family Physicians Journal shows that regular family meals boost children’s mental and emotional well-being. But it’s not just the act of eating together. It’s also the quality of conversation that takes place at the table. Conversation starters can give you the questions to ask to get your kids to respond with more than one-word replies.
Conversation jars or cards (like the 74 Conversation Starters printable) add a sense of fun and anticipation,
turning dinner into an opportunity for everyone in your family to connect, share their thoughts, laugh, and discover something new about each other.
3. Build your own creation.
Setting up a “make-your-own” station with options like mini pizzas, tacos, ramen noodles, or loaded baked potatoes puts the power in each family member’s hands to customize their plate. Kids love the chance to get creative and choose their toppings, from veggies to sauces to extras like “shakey” cheese or sliced olives. This setup makes dinner interactive and encourages picky eaters to try new things since they’re in control of what goes on their plates. Plus, the DIY bar is easy to prep and keeps the cleanup minimal, making it a win-win for both you and your kids!
4. Pick a chef du jour.
We watch a lot of Kids Baking Championships and MasterChef Junior episodes at home. Those programs opened our kids’ eyes to what they, too, could do at a young age. We made it a routine to put them in charge of dinner every week or two. Letting each child take turns as the “Chef of the Night” transformed dinnertime into a source of excitement and pride.
This idea is all about giving your child ownership over the meal by allowing her to help plan the menu, prepare ingredients, and even present the dishes with her creative flair. You could start by letting her pick a simple recipe or choose sides and toppings for the main dish. Or put your child in charge of making dessert! As chef, she might also make a fun menu for the table or help decorate with napkins and placemats. Not only does this make dinnertime feel like an event, but it also builds your child’s confidence and teaches her valuable cooking skills.
How do you make dinnertime fun?
