After a long day of work or carting the kids to school, their respective activities, and then home for the night, we often wish that dinner would just magically make itself. And while there's no spell that we're aware of that will make this happen, your slow cooker — or Instant Pot, if that's more of your jam — is the next best thing. From delicious sloppy joes that melt in your mouth to homemade chicken soup that's sure to warm the soul, these recipes are both easy to make and completely kid-approved. Scroll through to get a look at some of our favorite creations!
There's nothing better than a warm bowl of the good stuff — aka Creamy Chicken and Rice — that packs in major flavor without taking forever to make.
Getting your kids to chow down on this nutrient-packed Vegetable Beef Soup will be a breeze! Isn't it colorful?!
A hearty bowl of classic Chicken and Rice Soup will keep their bellies full all night long.
Put an Asian-inspired twist on your squad's next dinner date with a hearty plate of Orange Chicken.
I'm an absolute sucker for a French Dip Slider, and we're willing to hedge a bet your little ones will be, too.
Our mouths are watering just looking at this delicious bowl of Lasagna Soup. All parents need to do is pass the cheese. Yum!
Yes, there are some hidden veggies in this bowl of Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese, but hey, you gotta get the kids to eat 'em somehow, right?
Is there anything more kid-friendly — and, er, messy — than a Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joe? We don't think so.
There are few things more comforting than a giant bowl of Mashed Potatoes on a chilly night.
Take your grandma's recipe up a few notches with a Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup that puts a heartier spin on a classic.
Grab a few rolls and slather a generous helping of BBQ Pulled Pork on them for a quick dinner your children will gobble up in minutes.
Who wants regular soup when you can chow down on a big bowl of Taco Chili? All you need is some sour cream and a few tortilla chips to top the recipe off.
A tried-and-true kid-pleaser, this Granny's Classic Beef and Noodles is a great options for families all year long.
Kids who don't mind a little spice in life will love digging into this bowl of Cashew Chicken. Just add some quick rice and you're good to go.
A crowd favorite for decades, this Chicken Pot Pie Soup is surprisingly easy to whip together when you have a slow cooker on-hand.
A superrich, filling plate of Cheesy Stuffing Chicken is seriously making our mouths water just looking at it!
Set up topping stations and go to town making these child-friendly Chicken Tacos in a jiffy. Who doesn't love tacos?!
This out-of-the-box Cheeseburger Soup puts your little one's favorite food in an entirely new format. Bonus points for creativity!