POPSUGAR has joined Thrive Global [1] in celebration of Screen-Free Week [2], May 1-7, 2017. Check out our Digital Detox Challenge [3] and inspiration for offline activities like this post.
If your kids are old enough to boast entry-level kitchen skills, give them a challenge that's a step (or two) beyond slice-and-bake cookies. These 15 easy recipes were all selected with young chefs in mind, and some don't even require the oven or stove. From grab-and-go snacks to full-on family dinner ideas, there's plenty to choose from, and there's no better time than the start of a new school year to offer up some new responsibilities. Let the culinary capers begin!
Source: Thinkstock [4]
Cheesy Chicken Taquitos
The most fun part about these cheesy chicken taquitos [5] from Weelicious's Catherine McCord? Rolling 'em up!
Source: Weelicious [6]
Whole-Wheat Pizza Hand Pockets
Take a break from delivery with these healthier alternatives. Kids will love rolling and shaping their own pizza pockets [7].
Source: Food Network Kitchen [8]
Creamy Chicken Pasta
You won't believe how quickly this riff on creamy chicken alfredo [9] comes together (or that your kids can do it all on their own!).
Source: Flickr user mealmakeovermoms [10]
Easy Pizza Roll
Blogger Kim of Makin' It Mo' Better shares the pizza roll recipe [11] that her 10-year-old daughter has mastered.
Source: Flickr user reid-bee [12]
Summer Quinoa Fruit Salad
Here's one that even little kids can master — just cook up a batch of quinoa in advance and let them combine the ingredients. Paired with yogurt and fruit, the superfood makes for a healthy and wholesome Summer fruit salad [13].
Source: NurturMe [14]
Five-Ingredient Pasta Salad
Everything they need to make Gimme Some Oven's simple salad [15] is probably already in your pantry and fridge.
Source: Gimme Some Oven [16]
Roasted Turkey and Basil Cream Cheese Pinwheel Sandwiches
They'll wow the rest of the lunchroom crowd with these roasted turkey and basil cream cheese pinwheel sandwiches [17]. They're as much fun to make as they are to eat.
Source: Food Network Kitchen [18]
Broccoli Crunch Salad
Amanda Haas's broccoli crunch salad [19] requires just two steps — steaming the broccoli, and mixing it all up!
Source: Real Family Food [20]
Puffed Rice Snowballs
If they like Rice Krispies treats, they'll love Food Network Kitchen's puffed rice snowballs [21]. Parents will love that flaxseeds and sunflower seeds find a place alongside the mini marshmallows!
Source: Food Network Kitchen [22]
Oatmeal Cookie Smoothie
Food Network Kitchen's oatmeal cookie smoothie [23] makes a great on-the-go snack for those busy days of being back in school.
Source: Food Network Kitchen [24]
Pasta Salad Skewers
Kids love food-on-a-stick. These pasta salad skewers [25] are light and easy to make (added bonus if you can use basil from a backyard herb garden!).
Source: Cooking With My Kid [26]
No-Bake Granola Bars
Kids can stir, measure, mix, and press these no-bake granola bars [27] into shape. Just pop the chewy bars — full of toasted oats, nuts, coconut, raisins, cinnamon, and molasses — into the fridge for a bit to let them set, and you'll be snacking healthfully in no time.
Source: Kitchen Simplicity [28]
Awesome Asian Salad
Skip the oven! The Little Earthlings Blog's Asian salad [29] is fun for kids to put together and makes a great Summer lunch or light dinner.
Source: Flickr user merelymel [30]
Tangy Shrimp and Mango Salad
Switch things up tonight with a light, fresh shrimp and mango salad [31] — your kids will love whisking the dressing together and tossing in colorful slices of fruit.
Source: Flickr user s-awan [32]
Healthy Chicken Pot Popovers
Chicken pot pie gets a bad rap for its creamy, rich composition. But these lightened-up chicken pot popovers [33] are a kid-friendly and grown-up-friendly spin on the old-school classic.
Source: Food Network Kitchen [34]