Happy kids mean happy parents
May 26, 2010 2:01 PM Subscribe
I need a/some fun easy to prepare bbq appropriate food that the kids will love.
I am having a memorial day (friday) bbq and having the traditional burgers dogs cookout for the adults, but was hoping for a twist to keep the kiddos happy. ages 4-9. I know they will be happy with burgers and dogs, but i want to kick it up just a notch or two.
I have considered mini burgers (sliders) and corndogs, but i've got too many other plates in the air to brainstorm. surely this has been done before.
Thanks
I am having a memorial day (friday) bbq and having the traditional burgers dogs cookout for the adults, but was hoping for a twist to keep the kiddos happy. ages 4-9. I know they will be happy with burgers and dogs, but i want to kick it up just a notch or two.
I have considered mini burgers (sliders) and corndogs, but i've got too many other plates in the air to brainstorm. surely this has been done before.
Thanks
Just go see what the local grocery store has prepared and ready to grill. Usually there is an assortment of stuff. Also, the butchers can generally recommend stuff.
posted by jeffamaphone at 2:13 PM on May 26, 2010
posted by jeffamaphone at 2:13 PM on May 26, 2010
Have them put together their own kebabs! Put out trays of veggies, meat (if uncooked, have adults add the meat) and traditional stuff like hotdog pieces. In Minnesota you can put anything on a stick!
posted by ShadePlant at 2:13 PM on May 26, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by ShadePlant at 2:13 PM on May 26, 2010 [2 favorites]
Make a fruit pizza!
You can make the dough and cream cheese part the night before, and then slice some fresh fruit to go on top right before you serve it. It looks great, kids like the novelty of it, and though there's some sugar in the cream cheese, it's mostly whole grains and fresh fruit. Nom!
posted by BitterOldPunk at 2:16 PM on May 26, 2010
You can make the dough and cream cheese part the night before, and then slice some fresh fruit to go on top right before you serve it. It looks great, kids like the novelty of it, and though there's some sugar in the cream cheese, it's mostly whole grains and fresh fruit. Nom!
posted by BitterOldPunk at 2:16 PM on May 26, 2010
It's only one thing, but finger sausages stabbed with cocktail sticks on plates allways go down really well.
posted by sockpim at 2:18 PM on May 26, 2010
posted by sockpim at 2:18 PM on May 26, 2010
I know this isn't a grill item, but in my family, no picnic is complete without the glorious wonder that is Knox Blox!
posted by SamanthaK at 2:22 PM on May 26, 2010
posted by SamanthaK at 2:22 PM on May 26, 2010
Grilled corn on the cob is really tasty. Make a compound butter with some herbs and sprinkle with parm and it's even tastier.
Skewers are tasty as well as kid & bbq friendly. And fun to put together.
posted by DrGirlfriend at 2:28 PM on May 26, 2010
Skewers are tasty as well as kid & bbq friendly. And fun to put together.
posted by DrGirlfriend at 2:28 PM on May 26, 2010
Make sure you have some simple finger foods that are easy to snack on while waiting for the main meal, so the kiddos don't get cranky (olives, little pickles, carrot sticks, celery, grapes, melon slices, etc.).
posted by amyms at 2:35 PM on May 26, 2010
posted by amyms at 2:35 PM on May 26, 2010
Best answer: This is generally a boiling-not-grilling method, but make crazy wieners! Octopus, prawn, crab, another octopus and squid, you get the picture.
posted by Madamina at 2:38 PM on May 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Madamina at 2:38 PM on May 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Banana, slice single cut with knife along the inside from end to end, pull apart, put 3 squares of chocolate in the slash, wrap in foil, put on bbq, simple pud, tends to be popular in my experience. Can be prepped early if desired.
Maybe have something else for any diabetics if necessary?
posted by biffa at 2:42 PM on May 26, 2010
Maybe have something else for any diabetics if necessary?
posted by biffa at 2:42 PM on May 26, 2010
I was just coming here to post the octodog idea! Be warned that sufficiently young children will take one look at them and burst into frightened tears and you will have to pull all the legs off the dogs (and perhaps even eat the legs) to restore order, but what's not to like about that, hm? (heh)
posted by miss patrish at 3:49 PM on May 26, 2010
posted by miss patrish at 3:49 PM on May 26, 2010
Best answer: Kick the Can Ice Cream. That's just one version - google around for other options of flavors and containers.
You can get more ideas if you look for camping recipes from the boy/girl scouts - I know we used a lot of these when I was a leader... foil packets to make pineapple/poundcake desserts, hot dog on a stick wrapped in a pillsbury biscuit and held over the fire, s'mores (use choc-covered graham crackers - it's easier), dump cake/cobbler using cake mix and pie filling.
posted by CathyG at 4:08 PM on May 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
You can get more ideas if you look for camping recipes from the boy/girl scouts - I know we used a lot of these when I was a leader... foil packets to make pineapple/poundcake desserts, hot dog on a stick wrapped in a pillsbury biscuit and held over the fire, s'mores (use choc-covered graham crackers - it's easier), dump cake/cobbler using cake mix and pie filling.
posted by CathyG at 4:08 PM on May 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: grilled fruit. Seriously. It's heaven, and the flavors are, in some cases, radically different. The easiest one to go with is grilled pineapple. To start, toss a bunch of skewers in water, so they don't burn. The time it takes you to cut the pineapple should give them long enough to soak.
Get a whole pineapple or three, quarter them, cut out the hard innards, then slice the quarters side to side down to the husk (not through) then from top to bottom (again, not through). Finally, work the knife between the husk and the innards, and you'll have cubed chunks o pineapple. Thread them on a pair of skewers (so they don't spin around when you try to turn them). Recently, I coated them in a sauce of brown sugar, rum, powdered ginger, and melted butter, which went over well, or you can just douse them in bbq sauce. Grill until soft, maybe five minutes on a side. You can alternate with other firm fruit, like apples, pears, or melon. Absolutely delicious, and kids + fruit = fun.
posted by Ghidorah at 4:29 PM on May 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
Get a whole pineapple or three, quarter them, cut out the hard innards, then slice the quarters side to side down to the husk (not through) then from top to bottom (again, not through). Finally, work the knife between the husk and the innards, and you'll have cubed chunks o pineapple. Thread them on a pair of skewers (so they don't spin around when you try to turn them). Recently, I coated them in a sauce of brown sugar, rum, powdered ginger, and melted butter, which went over well, or you can just douse them in bbq sauce. Grill until soft, maybe five minutes on a side. You can alternate with other firm fruit, like apples, pears, or melon. Absolutely delicious, and kids + fruit = fun.
posted by Ghidorah at 4:29 PM on May 26, 2010 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: great ideas so far...thanks guys
posted by OHenryPacey at 10:19 PM on May 26, 2010
posted by OHenryPacey at 10:19 PM on May 26, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by inturnaround at 2:12 PM on May 26, 2010