6 Fun Summer Recipes to Try With Your Kids – Ranked From Least to Most Challenging

Summer is here and so are long, sunny days filled with endless energy from your kids. If you're juggling work, chores, and the kids being home from school, we have a fun, engaging, and productive solution — cooking together as a family!

Cooking is not only a great bonding activity, but it also helps kids develop independence, learn responsibility, and have a blast doing something creative. Below, we’ve curated six fun summer recipes to try with your kids — ranked by how many utensils you’ll need, whether heat is required, and how messy things might get. Bonus: most of these are beginner-friendly and absolutely delicious!

Nothing says summer like a refreshing cold salad! This one’s a breeze to make, and it's so simple your kids can take the lead. With juicy watermelon and salty feta, it's a flavor-packed combo that’s perfect for hot afternoons.

DIY Tip! Swap red wine vinegar for a mix of lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper. If you don’t have feta, curd cheese or cottage cheese works beautifully. Get the full recipe here.

Avocados are still trending — and for good reason. This easy and nutritious snack is perfect for little hands. Have fun mashing avocados, seasoning them, and adding your favorite toppings.

DIY Tip! Elevate it into a full breakfast by adding a fried egg or crispy bacon on top. Get the full recipe here.

Ready to level up? This microwave-friendly pasta recipe is great for kids who’ve mastered simpler dishes. It’s a safe way to learn how to cook pasta without using the stove.

DIY Tips

Get the full recipe here

Your kids might already love Ratatouille — the movie. Now it’s time to make the dish! This classic French vegetable medley is fun to assemble and super healthy.

Pro Parent Tip! This dish takes about an hour, so choose a day when your kids are patient or already interested in cooking.

Get the full recipe here.

Packed with veggies and flavor, this vegan-friendly recipe is a hit with both kids and adults. It involves stove-top cooking, so it’s a good chance to teach stovetop safety.

DIY Tip! No pineapple? Use peeled green apple chunks for a sweet, tart twist! Get the full recipe here

This is more than a recipe — it’s a day-long culinary adventure! From kneading dough to choosing toppings, kids can get hands-on with every step of the pizza-making process.

Pro Tips from DIY

Get the full recipe here

If you liked this list, we have an entire course dedicated to teaching kids recipes, and more importantly, how to use stove tops, ovens, and kitchen appliances responsibly. Check it out here: https://www.diy.org/courses/cook-for-yourself

Happy cooking, and enjoy your summer! With love, Shreya V. Team DIY

Start with no-heat recipes like Watermelon Salad or Avocado Toast. These are quick, safe, and require minimal supervision.

Yes — with proper instructions and precautions, kids can safely use a microwave. Always supervise them the first few times.

Most of these recipes are flexible and substitution-friendly! Don’t have feta? Use cottage cheese. No pineapple? Try green apples.

Start with simple lessons:

Yes! These recipes include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats — balanced meals that are also tasty and fun to make.