Christmas is a magical time of year, full of twinkling lights, festive decorations, and of course, delicious food. But if you’re a parent, planning a Christmas lunch for kids can feel overwhelming. What if they won’t eat it? Or if it’s too messy? Don’t worry, at Bentotsss, we’ve got you covered! From starters and mains to desserts and packed lunch options, these children’s Christmas food ideas are simple, festive, and perfect for making your little ones’ Christmas extra special, and with bento boxes for kids, you can keep everything organised and easy to serve.
Why These Ideas Work
When planning children’s Christmas food, it’s important to think about:
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Fun & festive: Christmas meals should look as magical as they taste.
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Kid-friendly flavours: Simple, familiar tastes go down best with little ones.
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Easy to prepare: Busy parents need quick, low-mess recipes or options that can be made in advance.
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Interactive: Kids love helping, so recipes that let them get involved are perfect.
Christmas Starters for Kids
Starting lunch with something light, fun, and colourful sets the tone for the meal.
1. Mini Bruschetta Christmas Trees
Use small bread slices as a base, topped with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Arrange them into a tree shape — fun, colourful, and perfect for kids to help assemble.
2. Veggie Reindeer Faces
Carrot sticks become antlers, cucumber slices make eyes, and a cherry tomato becomes the nose. Healthy, creative, and perfect for little hands.
3. Festive Mini Sausage Rolls
Bite-sized sausage rolls are perfect finger food and easy to share. Use star-shaped cutters for a festive touch.
Main Course Ideas
Here are some Christmas lunch ideas for kids that are tasty and manageable:
1. Turkey Mini Sliders
Use small rolls, turkey slices, cranberry sauce, and stuffing. These mini sandwiches are easy for little hands and bring all the classic Christmas flavours.
2. Pigs in Blankets Skewers
A British favourite! Wrap cocktail sausages in bacon, bake, and serve on short skewers. Kids love the novelty, and it’s a fun twist on a traditional dish.
3. Veggie Wellington Stars
Mini vegetarian Wellingtons with spinach, mushrooms, or nut roast make a colourful addition. Star-shaped pastry cutters add a festive look.
4. Christmas Lunch Wraps
Wraps filled with turkey, stuffing, a drizzle of gravy, and roasted vegetables are mess-free and portable — ideal for little hands.
Sides & Salads
Add colour and flavour with these kid-friendly sides:
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Cranberry: Carrot Slaw: Grated carrot, dried cranberries, a dash of orange juice, and yoghurt.
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Festive Baby Roasties: Baby potatoes roasted with butter or olive oil and rosemary.
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Sugar-Snap Peas & Mini Sprouts: Lightly steamed and buttered — perfect for a festive green plate.
Children’s Christmas Desserts
No festive lunch is complete without dessert! Try these children’s Christmas desserts:
1. Christmas Cupcakes
Decorate with icing, sprinkles, or mini candy canes. Let kids help with decorating for a fun activity.
2. Snowman Cake
Bake a simple sponge cake and decorate as a snowman using icing, fruit, or chocolate chips.
3. Gingerbread Biscuits
Cut into stars, trees, or snowmen. Let kids decorate with icing and edible glitter.
4. Snowball Truffles
No-bake truffles rolled in coconut — simple, festive, and perfect for little hands.
5. Chocolate Bark
Melt white or milk chocolate, add candy canes or sprinkles, let it set, and break into pieces. Ideal for gifting or snacking.
Fun Christmas Food Ideas & Children’s Christmas Treats
Add extra excitement with these fun festive treats:
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Reindeer Antler Breadsticks: Twist breadstick dough into antler shapes.
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Santa Hat Strawberries: Dip strawberries in white chocolate and top with mini marshmallows.
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Festive Fruit Skewers: Red and green fruits like grapes, strawberries, and melon served on skewers.
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Christmas Popcorn Mix: Popcorn with mini marshmallows, festive sprinkles, and a drizzle of chocolate.
Christmas Packed Lunch Ideas
For school, parties, or playdates, these Christmas packed lunch ideas are festive and practical:
1. Turkey & Cranberry Sandwich
Cut into star shapes using a cookie cutter for a playful twist.
2. Veggie Wrap with Festive Flavours
Roasted red peppers, spinach, and soft cheese in a wrap make a colourful alternative.
3. Mini Christmas Pasta Salad
Use small pasta shapes with peas, cherry tomatoes, mini mozzarella balls, and light dressing.
4. Christmas Snack Box
You can use a snack box for kids to keep food organised. Include cheese cubes, crackers, mini sausage rolls, grapes, and a festive treat like a mini gingerbread biscuit. Bentotsss offers a variety of fun, durable lunchboxes perfect for packing festive meals.
Tips for Involving Kids
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Get them helping: Decorating cupcakes, shaping biscuits, or assembling mini sandwiches makes them feel part of the festive fun.
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Prep in advance: Some desserts and sides can be prepared a day or two ahead.
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Presentation matters: Use festive plates, cookie cutters, and colourful food picks.
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Interactive dining: Let kids assemble or decorate their own food — keeps them engaged and excited.
Safety & Nutrition
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Balance sugar with healthy ingredients like fruit, vegetables, and lean protein.
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Be mindful of allergies (nuts, gluten, dairy) — swap ingredients as needed.
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For packed lunches, keep items cool and use insulated lunchboxes if needed.
Conclusion
Planning a Christmas lunch for kids doesn’t have to be stressful. By choosing simple, festive recipes and involving children in preparation, you can create a magical experience that’s both fun and delicious. These festive ideas from Bentotsss make your children’s Christmas food enjoyable, easy, and memorable — whether it’s a full Christmas lunch at home or a packed lunch for school.
With a little creativity, colourful presentation, and fun involvement, your kids will enjoy every bite of their festive meals — and you’ll have a stress-free, joyous holiday season.