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Best Breakfasts For Kids Before School

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Today we are going to talk about some of the best breakfasts for kids before school. We have all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but how many of you take the time to eat before the day begins? I have three little ones, two of which are in elementary school. Mornings are hectic and crazy, but one thing we do not miss is breakfast.

pancake platter with jars of jams and fresh cut pineapple for the best breakfasts for kids before school

Breakfast boosts brain power. It gives us the needed energy to sustain our bodies and ready our minds. It has been shown to increase test scores with improved concentration, and positively enhance our mood. Our children depend on us to teach them the importance of a balanced breakfast. I have some simple make-ahead ideas to always have good breakfast choices on hand. Just pop it in the toaster or the microwave and you’ll have a hot meal in minutes.

Some of the Best Breakfasts For Kids Before School are Made With Oats

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is one of the best and easiest breakfast foods you can have on hand. Make up a big pot and keep it in the refrigerator for a quick breakfast even on the busiest of days. There are countless recipes out there, but I like to keep it pretty simple. Oats, milk, mashed banana (for sweetness), and chia seeds with a dash of cinnamon, cardamom, and salt. Cook for around 7 minutes.

Let cool and store in a glass container. To serve, just spoon the amount you want into a bowl and thin it out with milk. Heat in the microwave. I always keep frozen fruit on hand. Frozen blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries sprinkled on top cool it down perfectly for those little mouths to enjoy. My kids love this for breakfast, and I know they are going to school with full bellies.

Overnight Oats

Overnight oats are also one of the best breakfasts for kids before school. This one they can help make themselves. The varieties are endless for this meal. Start off with pint-size mason jars (perfect size for kids). Fill 1/3 with steel-cut oats, 1/3 milk (any variety), and whatever else you like. I always like to add a dash of chia seeds which are highly nutritious. So many health benefits to eating ingredients that are full of antioxidants. These can be eaten in the morning or packed in a school lunch for a great nutritional meal. My son took the middle one for his lunch today.

3 varieties of overnight oats in mason jars
  • Chopped Pecans
  • Maple or Agave Syrup
  • Apple Pieces
  • Cinnamon

Granola and Yogurt

Granola is yet another way to eat oats in the morning. You can make your own batch of granola from scratch which is what I usually do. Saving time and money, you can make large batches to feed your whole household. Check out my recipe for cardamom spiced granola – yum!

Baked cardamom spiced granola

Purchasing your granola from the grocery store is also a great option, however, make sure you read the ingredients and especially look for the sugar/carbohydrate amounts. Store-bought granola tends to have a lot of sugar added. Making your own allows you to control the amount.

Plain Greek or homemade yogurts are nutritious and an easy choice for kids to decide on for breakfast before school. There is very little sugar in plain yogurt, top it with your favorite jams and sprinkle on some chia seeds. Add some stevia or powdered sugar for sweetness, and even a picky eater will enjoy it. See how I make homemade plain and vanilla yogurt here.

Eggs Are a Great Breakfast For Kids Before School

The famous scrambled egg. Eggs are packed with protein and unsaturated fats, in addition to antioxidants and vitamins. Cooking eggs doesn’t take long, however, on a busy morning having some already prepared is key. Scramble up a dozen eggs with some salt and pepper, let cool, and store in a glass container in the refrigerator.

In the morning, the kids can even dish their own out. The trick to warming them up in the microwave is using half power for 45-60 seconds, then they will heat evenly. Give your kids eggs for breakfast and their bellies will be happy until lunch! Serve with a side of white/wheat toast with jam to have a complete meal that everyone will enjoy. I make a bunch of simple fruit jams with little to no sugar- check it out here.

Toaster Foods For Breakfast Ideas Before School

With a little bit of prep work, you can have some tasty meals toasted up for breakfast before school. Pancakes, waffles, and breads all toast up warm for little ones to enjoy. Keep some fresh bread to make toast with any topping they want- fruit jams, peanut butter, or cinnamon sugar.

Keeping a well-stocked freezer saves time and lets your kids have a variety of foods to choose from. Make a large batch of your favorite pancakes (homemade ones are amazing) and flash-freeze them. Once frozen, stack them in a freezer bag. You can pop one in the toaster and have a hearty pancake breakfast. Keep freezer waffles stocked as well. Get creative with toppings. Real maple syrup or agave syrup are great choices.

Cereal for Breakfast

Cereal is a staple in many households including my own. It is easy and can be a great choice. Stocking the pantry with different cereals allows kids to make their own decisions. The varieties we stock for them are what’s important. Always read your labels. Select cereals without Fructose (high fructose corn syrup), make sure they don’t contain any artificial dyes and check the sugar content.

4 cereal bowls lined up with spoons
Honeynut Cheerios, Cheerios, Puffed Rice, and Honey Bunches of Oats

There are many kinds of cereal that can be a great choice but don’t be fooled by the brightly colored kids’ boxes. Stick with the more natural cereals that are high in fiber.

Always Room For a Muffin

I don’t know about you, but I am crazy about muffins. Chocolate chip muffins, Sour cream muffins, Pumpkin muffins, Chocolate banana muffins, and our favorite Peanut butter chocolate chip. A huge shout out to Sally’s Baking Addiction for fueling my muffin addiction. I recently tried her Healthier Chocolate Banana Muffins and I have to say I am a huge fan. They are full of gooey goodness that kids and adults would love! I used agave syrup and coconut oil in this recipe. Perfect for breakfast with a glass of milk or a yummy snack.

Wrapping Up

In the end, it is up to us to provide healthy and sustainable breakfast choices for our children. With a little bit of prep work here and there, a well-stocked freezer, and some fresh ideas, serving up the best breakfasts for kids before school is possible. Most of these are made ahead and just need to be warmed up. Older kids can even do it themselves. I am always looking for inspiration for more beneficial breakfast ideas. Please share any in the comment section below. As always, I hope I have inspired you.

Cheers,

Sarah

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6 Comments

  1. Oh such wonderful ideas!! Your children are learning at an early age the foods to eat to stay healthy. Kudos to you.

  2. I do believe oatmeal is a very understated food. It is one of the few things I can eat and maintain a really good supply of energy for quite some time. Thanks for this.

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