Out of Summer Lunch Ideas for Kids? Try This Now -

Are you out of summer lunch ideas for kids? I’ve got you covered.

Can we talk about how little you want to worry about feeding the kids lunch? School's out, the kids are home, and suddenly you're responsible for feeding them THREE meals a day.

You've probably already exhausted the usual rotation of PB&J, mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, and whatever's left in the snack drawer.

I'm here to share my newest secret weapon that will be saving my sanity this summer: Mini Meatball Sliders. And before you think "that sounds like too much work," hear me out. These little flavor bombs are as easy or as difficult as you want to make them, and if your kids are picky eaters like mine, this may be the winner you’re looking for.

These Sliders Are An Easy Lunch for Kids

The beauty is in the details. We're talking about Hawaiian rolls transformed into garlic bread perfection, topped with melty mozzarella and homemade meatballs that pack serious flavor into every tiny bite.

The mini size is key here! There's something about little foods that makes kids fall in love with eating. The novelty of getting (practically) bite-sized food peaks their interest, and that’s what we need to get them fed.

Plus, these sliders hit all the important mom criteria:

They're filling enough to satisfy hungry kids.
They reheat beautifully for leftovers.
You can prep meatballs ahead of time (or buy premade), leaving you just assembly during the week.

What Makes These A Perfect Lunch?

The Hawaiian Mini-Roll Base: a sweet, soft mini roll that's already kid-approved, and when you brush them with garlic butter and toast them lightly, they become something magical. The slight sweetness pairs perfectly with savory meatballs.

Homemade Meatballs (or not): I know, I know, it sounds like you’re going to be cooking in the summer heat, but these are worth the extra effort because you control the flavors and can make them exactly how your kids like them. Make a big batch on the weekend and freeze them for future slider deliciousness.

Or don't.

Melty Mozzarella: What kid doesn't love cheese? The mozzarella gets all stretchy and delicious, turning these into basically handheld comfort food. I prefer the finely shredded because it'll be a quick melt time.

The Perfect Size: Regular burgers can be overwhelming for little hands and mouths. These sliders are just right. They’re big enough to feel substantial but small enough that kids can finish them without getting frustrated.

Pro Tips to Make it a Simple Lunch

1. The garlic butter is super easy to make. When I was in my teens, I worked at a deli, and we would make garlic bread for a delicious sandwich. Being that it was made when ordered, we didn’t use diced garlic and fresh parsley. Here's what we did:

Place 4 tablespoons of butter in a microwavable dish, add garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Put in the microwave for 30-second intervals until the butter is melted.
Brush it on both sides of the split Hawaiian rolls and pop them under the broiler for just a few minutes until lightly golden. Remember, you’re going to put it back in the oven later!

2. If you're feeling ambitious, make a double batch of meatballs and freeze half. You will be so grateful when you can just thaw meatballs and assemble these sliders in minutes. If you're not, get premade meatballs!

3. Let the kids help assemble them! Kids love putting the mozzarella on top and watching it melt. It makes them more invested in actually eating lunch.

Summer Lunch Doesn’t Have to Be Boring

Are these more involved than slapping together a sandwich? Yes.

Will your kids remember these special summer lunches long after they've forgotten the hundredth PB&J?

Absolutely.

Sometimes it's worth putting in that extra effort to see their faces light up.

Once you get the hang of it, these come together pretty quickly. Take the meatballs out the night before to thaw, the garlic butter takes two minutes to make, and assembly is actually kind of fun (especially if the kids are involved).

Making Summer Lunch Less Stressful

This is the perfect go to lunch for the kids this summer. The kids are happy, and there are usually enough leftovers that I don't have to think about tomorrow's lunch either.

Summer is supposed to be about making memories with our kids, not stressing about what to feed them every day. These little sliders have given me back some of that joy in our everyday moments together.

Happy summer, Mamas! You've got this.

Plus, if your family falls in love with these, you can serve them as an appetizer. If you're looking for more ideas on appetizers, check out No-Fuss Finger Foods: Easy Toothpick Appetizers You’ll Love.

This post shared one of the yummiest summer lunch ideas for kids that I’ve had in a long time.

{Other summertime post you may love: Pool Party Essentials: What You Need to Know for a Great Party}