Because calm evenings start way before 5 p.m.
Dear sweet momma,
If dinnertime feels like a full-on circus at your house — between tired toddlers, clingy preschoolers, and last-minute dinner decisions — you’re not alone.
But here’s a little truth I’ve learned the hard way about how to prep dinner early with kids:
The earlier you touch dinner, the calmer your whole evening feels.
Today, I’m sharing simple ways I prep dinner early — even with my little ones around — and how you can too. 🌿
This post is about how to prep dinner early with kids.
✨ 1. Think About Dinner at Breakfast
Before the day gets away from you, take two minutes over your morning coffee to ask:
“What’s for dinner tonight?”
When you’re learning how to prep dinner early with kids, just deciding early:
- Gives your brain a plan to work with
- Helps you defrost meat if needed
- Eases that 4 p.m. panic (“What am I even making?!”)
🌸 Quick tip: Keep a sticky note on the fridge or planner where you jot your dinner idea first thing.
✨ 2. Prep Tiny Pieces Throughout the Day
You don’t need a fancy plan to figure out how to prep dinner early with kids.
Instead, fit tiny steps into natural pauses:
- Morning: Defrost meat or chop veggies while your kids eat breakfast.
- Mid-morning: Mix marinade or seasonings during a quick play break.
- Nap time: Assemble a casserole, soup, or slow cooker meal if you can.
- After lunch: Set out pans, ingredients, or a sheet pan ready to go.
🌸 Quick tip: Even washing lettuce early makes dinnertime smoother.
✨ 3. Use Nap Time Wisely (Even 10 Minutes Helps)
If your little ones nap (or have quiet time), this is golden.
You don’t have to cook a whole meal — just move dinner one step forward.
When you’re wondering how to prep dinner early with kids around, remember:
- Brown the meat
- Mix a sauce
- Peel potatoes
- Pre-chop what you can
🌸 Quick tip: Aim for one small win during nap time. It all adds up.
✨ 4. Choose “Prep-Friendly” Meals
Certain dinners are made for prepping ahead when you have kids underfoot:
- Sheet pan meals (chop in the morning, bake at dinner)
- Slow cooker soups and stews
- Taco bars (brown meat earlier; reheat at dinner)
- Casseroles you can assemble during nap and bake later
🌸 Quick tip: If a meal sounds fussy, save it for the weekend. Weeknights are for simple wins.
✨ 5. Let the Little Ones “Help” (In Their Own Way)
If you want to know how to prep dinner early with kids and keep them busy, try inviting them to help:
- Give them a kid safe knife to cut soft veggies
- Let them stir, pour, or wash veggies
- Pull a stool over and let them chat with you
🌸 Quick tip: It’s okay if “helping” looks messy. You’re building memories, not a perfect kitchen.
💛 A Final Word for the Overwhelmed Momma
Dinner prep with littles will never be perfect.
Some nights you’ll eat peanut butter toast and carrot sticks.
That’s okay.
Learning how to prep dinner early with kids is about tiny rhythms — deciding early, prepping in small pockets, and keeping meals simple.
You’re not behind.
You’re building peace, one lovingly stirred pot at a time. 🌷
This post was all about how to prep dinner early with kids.
P.S. Need more simple homemaking rhythms?
Grab your free Overwhelmed Mom’s Survival Kit — packed with calming checklists, meal planning tips, and real-life encouragement for busy moms.
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