Dinner with kids--help!

sjh's mom

We are having a family over with little kids (3 and 2), so the kids are likely picky.  I was originally going to make homemade pizza, but I don't have a pizza stone and have never actually tried to make homemade pizza.  Any other ideas that would appeal to adults and picky little kids? Thanks!

destinationAZ

pasta or roasted chicken

Magdala9

Grilled cheese...american cheese for the kids, gourmet cheeses for the adults with sliced apples and chips. 

candreco

Pasta is a pretty good bet, just toss some with some olive oil or butter and parmesan if they don't like whatever sauce you're using (shapes like penne or rotini are much easier for preschoolers to manage than spaghetti or linguine).  Mac n cheese would work too, reserving some plain before mixing in some grown up additions like bacon and caramelized onions.

Don't necessarily assume the kids are picky though, I know a lot of 2-3 year olds (including my own) that will eat a pretty big variety, and try new things.  Maybe check with the parents first to see if there's something the kids specifically like/don't like.

FayeD

Make the pizza. The kids can have theirs cut to eat with a fork if they need.

nestinginjapan

First I wouldn't assume they're picky unless the parents warned you. My DS is almost 2 and pretty much eats anything, except for peppers and mushrooms. Pizza is still a good idea. You could make pita or bagel pizzas on a cookie sheet. That would definitely be kid-friendly!

MrsWindyCity

candreco:

Pasta is a pretty good bet, just toss some with some olive oil or butter and parmesan if they don't like whatever sauce you're using (shapes like penne or rotini are much easier for preschoolers to manage than spaghetti or linguine).  Mac n cheese would work too, reserving some plain before mixing in some grown up additions like bacon and caramelized onions.

Don't necessarily assume the kids are picky though, I know a lot of 2-3 year olds (including my own) that will eat a pretty big variety, and try new things.  Maybe check with the parents first to see if there's something the kids specifically like/don't like.

Ditto. I wouldn't assume they were picky, but I would call the parents if you want to be sure. That said, some sort of pasta seems to be a surefire hit for pretty much any age.  

0225eiluj

You don't need a pizza stone to make pizza.  When we have little ones visit, we often do make your own pizzas.  You can use pre-made dough (like in the biscuit cans from the fridge section), preshape it into roughly 5-6" circles, put them on a cookie sheet, everyone can add their own toppings, then bake till bubbly.  Picky or not, they can do whatever they want.

Dragonfly08

I have a stone and still don't use it for pizza...mine turns out just fine on any of the metal baking sheets I do use.  Once you have dough, which you can buy premade, it's pretty easy.

Other than that, chicken usually works.  Yes, little kids eat chicken that isn't breaded and fried (at least, mine do).  Small rolls so they can make sliders of them help, as do sides of kid-friendly veggies like carrot sticks, broccoli, homemade sweet potato fries etc. with ranch dressing for dipping.