Thanksgiving Food Ideas For Kids And Picky Eaters

Bringing your Thanksgiving menu to life is already a chore no one wants this holiday season.

But finding Thanksgiving food ideas that’ll satisfy a bunch of picky eaters — now that’s a true hassle.

Whether that means watching your kid stare at a perfectly roasted turkey like you've just served them a plate of betrayal or your young nephew who won’t even look at pie because it’s “just wet cake.”

We all know a picky eater when we see one.

And for the record, I fall into that category of pie haters who will never understand the hype.

So if you're stressing about what to feed the little ones (or the adults who eat like little ones) this Thanksgiving, you're not alone.

The good news is you don't have to force-feed anyone green bean casserole or pretend that cranberry sauce is something everyone naturally loves — spoiler alert, I’m not a fan of cranberry sauce, either.

There are plenty of kid-approved, picky-eater-friendly dishes that still feel festive enough for the holiday menu.

From simple swaps to entirely new dishes that won't cause a dinner table standoff, we've rounded up Thanksgiving food ideas that'll actually get eaten — no tears, no "just three bites," no bargaining required.

Thanksgiving treats for kids to snack on

Thanksgiving food ideas, entrees, side dishes, treats and desserts for kids who are picky eaters — August de Richelieu / Pexels

First, let’s go over a few Thanksgiving treats for kids to snack on leading up to the big feast.

Because let’s be honest — the kids are going to be starving long before the turkey hits the table. And a hungry kid is a cranky kid, which is the last thing you need when guests start piling into the home.

But having a few easy, festive snacks on hand can save you from the pre-dinner meltdowns.

These Thanksgiving snacks for kids are easy to throw together, won't spoil anyone's appetite (at least too much) and might even give them a reason to sit down and watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

5. Turkey Snack Bags

@_hannahbrianne_ How cute are these little Turkey Snack Bags?! They’re the perfect fun treat for kids! 🦃🍂🍿 #thanksgiving #thanksgivingappetizers #thanksgivingcheese #thanksgivingappetizer #thanksgivingideas #thanksgivingdinner #thanksgivingrecipe #thanksgivinghack #thanksgivingtreats #thanksgivinghack #turkeypopcornbags #turkeytreatbags #turkeytreats #fyp ♬ The Thanksgiving Song - Adam Sandler

Ingredients: disposable gloves, colored Goldfish, popcorn, twist ties

4. Turkey Fruit Cornucopia

@bryannah_kay THANKSGIVING FRUIT CORNUCOPIA 🦃 #thanksgiving #thanksgivingrecipes #thanksgivingsnack #thanksgivingtreats #kidsthanksgiving ♬ Thanksgiving Theme - Vince Guaraldi Trio

Ingredients: waffle cones, grapes, clementines, apple slices, any other fruit your kid likes

3. Corn on the Goldfish

@court.nicole18 When i saw this idea, I knew i had todo it but hours later im finally finished 🤪😂 #diy #kidssnacks #thanksgivingsnack #corn #kindergartensnacks #AEHolidayCard #BetheReasonVisa ♬ It's Corn - Tariq & The Gregory Brothers & Recess Therapy

Ingredients: treat bags, green and yellow tissue paper, Goldfish

2. Turkey Donuts

@sarahfosterhome The kids will Gobble up these turkey shaped mini donuts thanksgiving season #thanksgivingfood #thanksgivingrecipes #kidsbreakfast #foodart #holidaycrafts #momlife #turkeystagram ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys - Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

Ingredients: mini chocolate donuts, candy corn, melted chocolate, candy eyeballs, gummy worms

1. Vanilla Oreo Bugles Cornucopia

@partygamesandthings My almost three year old loved helping me with this. I didn’t get any good pics of the finished product, but it is supposed to a cornucopia with food (the M&Ms) falling out of it. #thanksgiving #fy #thanksgivingdinner #thanksgivingfood #toddlersnacks ♬ Gobble Gobble - Matthew West

Ingredients: vanilla Oreo cookies, Bugles original chips, M&Ms or Reese’s Pieces

Thanksgiving food for kids who don’t like turkey

Now let's talk about the main event — or, in some households, the main problem.

Turkey is supposed to be the star of Thanksgiving dinner, but for a lot of kids, it's more like the villain. Some say it’s too dry, too bland or too... turkey-ish. And honestly? They're not entirely wrong.

So, having some backup options that don’t include chicken nuggets is always a good idea.

These Thanksgiving food ideas give picky eaters something they'll actually be excited about while still keeping things festive enough that it doesn't feel like you've given up entirely.

5. Turkey Pancakes

@leahferezan Here’s a fun little breakfast to make your kiddos on Thanksgiving morning! THANKSGIVING TURKEY PANCAKES Ingredients: • 1 Big Pancake • 1 Small Pancake • Bananas • Bacon (I used Turkey Bacon) • Candy Eyes • Orange Peel Directions: After you make your big and little pancakes, place the small pancake on top of the big one. Add bacon and chopped bananas as feathers. Place candy eyes on the small pancake. Cut a beak out of an orange peel and add some bacon for the wattle. Enjoy! #thanksgivingrecipes #thanksgivingbreakfast #turkeypancakes #thanksgivingbaking #thanksgivingcooking #kitchenhack #breakfasthack #thanksgivinghack ♬ Soulful Strut - The Fame Gang

Ingredients: small pancakes, bacon, sliced bananas, carrot

4. Turkey Antipasto Skewers

@chefgenevieve Turkey Antipasto 🦃 Episode 2 of 40 Holiday Recipes #FallRecipes #ThanksgivingAppetizers #TurkeyAntipastoSkewers ♬ Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee

Ingredients: salami, pepperoni, provolone cheese, drained pepperoncini, skewer

3. Turkey Taco

@heathercoxzzz Kid’s Dinner ##Dinner##DinnerTime##TacoTuesday#t#tacotuesdaysT#ThanksgivingT#ThanksgivingMealT#ThanksgivingDinnerT#ThanksgivingFoodIdeasT#TurkeyG#GobbleGobbleT#TurkeyTostadaT#TostadaT#TostadasK#KidDinnerD#DinnerForMyKidsW#WhatMyKidsEatK#KidsDinnerK#KidDinnerIdeasD#DinnerIdeasF#FunFoodF#FoodArt ♬ Taco Tuesday - Marni Sing-Song!

Ingredients: mini tortillas, ground beef, peppers (red, yellow, orange), shredded cheese

2. Mini Turkey Pot Pies

@white.blank.space (Expand for the recipe) If you’re like me, you’ll probably have tons of leftover turkey after Thanksgiving dinner. These mini pot pies are a fun way to turn leftover turkey meat into a new exciting meal. I served these mini pot pies on a @grabease silicone suction cloud plate with their toddler utensil set. My daughter calls it her “flower” plate and adores it. (ad) Mini Pot Pies with Leftover Turkey Servings: 12 mini pot pies Ingredients 1 cup mixed frozen peas and carrots 1 1/4 cups shredded turkey or rotisserie chicken 1/2 cup heavy cream or half and half 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper (optional) 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper 3/4 cup + 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 package pie crust package (2 X 9” pie crust) baking spray Notes: You can use substitute peas and carrots with other frozen mixed veggies. Instructions 1. Position rack in the middle and preheat oven to 425 F. 2. In a large bowl, place frozen peas and carrots, cover and microwave for 2 minutes. 3. Add turkey, heavy cream, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, and 3/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix to combine. 4. Coat a muffin tin using a baking spray. 5. Unroll the pie crusts. Cut out circles using a 4” biscuit cutter (or similar sized lid). Insert them into muffin cups. The pie crust will fill up to about half of the muffin cup. 6. Divide the filling into each cup. Sprinkle the rest of the cheddar cheese on top. 7. Bake for about 15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. 8. Let the pies cool in the muffin tin for 5~10 minutes before carefully taking them out. . . . #thanksgiving #thanksgivingdinner #thanksgivingrecipes #thanksgivingrecipe #potpies #potpie #simplemeals #easyrecipes #easyrecipe #easyrecipeforkids #learnonline #easymeals #cookingmom #kidfriendlymeals #familyfriendlymeals #whatsfordinner ♬ original sound - Heejee

Ingredients: peas, carrots, shredded turkey or chicken, heavy cream, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, shredded cheese, pie crust

1. Turkey Tenders

@maddymakes_ Ingredients: - 1 lb thin sliced boneless & skinless turkey meat - Egg wash (4 eggs + 1 tbsp lemon juice) - AP flour (1 cup) - Breadcrumbs - 1.5 cups panko, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 2 tsp sweet paprika Spray with avocado oil Airfry at 350 for 10 minutes, flip, and airfry for another 5 minutes. #toddlermeals #toddlerrecipes #toddlerdinner #momsoftiktok #toddlerlife #toddlerdinnersuggestions #momlife #toddlertok #pickyeater #toddlersoftiktok ♬ Love You So - The King Khan & BBQ Show

Ingredients: sliced turkey meat (or chicken), eggs, lemon juice, all-purpose flour, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika

Thanksgiving side dishes for kids who don’t like classics

Now that the turkey is taken care of, let’s tackle another common issue: side dishes.

We all know that kid who can smell a sweet potato casserole from three rooms away and avoid it like it's spinach — and adding marshmallows to the equation won’t convince them that it’s “basically dessert.”

Too mushy, too saucy, too many things touching each other on the plate — the complaints are endless.

If your child isn’t budging when it comes to traditional Thanksgiving sides, then maybe these dishes will get them excited about what Thanksgiving dinner has to offer without coming as an inconvenience to you.

5. Honey-Glazed Carrots

@oliviaadriance HONEY GLAZED CARROTS✨ a simple, healthy, and delicious holiday side that needs to grace your table! I've always been the one at family holidays in charge of the healthy side dishes and I would't have it any other way. This recipe comes together one sheet pan so we're talking minimal dishes ladies and gents. Raise your hand if you're usually on holiday dish duty (looking at you @kyle.adriance 🙋🏼) Ingredients: 2 lbs carrots, peeled and cut to 1.5" in length and 1/2" thickness 3 tbsp olive oil 1/4 cup honey 2 large cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp cumin 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper Directions: Preheat your oven to 425 In a small jar, whisk together your honey, olive oil, spices, garlic salt and pepper Add your carrots to a bowl and toss with your honey mixture Add your carrots to a parchment-lined sheet pan, pouring any remaining honey mixture over top, and roast in the oven for 25 minutes, tossing once halfway through Remove from oven and toss again Set your oven to broil and broil for 3-5 minutes, watching closely to ensure they don't burn Remove from oven, toss, serve, and ENJOY! Follow for more simple, healthy recipes! . . #holidayrecipes #glazedcarrots #healthyholidaysides # holidaysidedish #healthysidedish #thanksgivingside #thanksgivingrecipe ♬ original sound - Olivia Adriance

Ingredients: carrots, olive oil, honey, brown sugar, minced garlic

4. Cajun Butter Corn Ribs

@shreyaskitchen2 Pass the Sides Episode 2: Cajun Butter Corn Ribs!! #sidedish #thanksgiving #holidayrecipes ♬ Ladyfingers - piano version - Harry Nicholson

Ingredients: corn on the cob, butter, cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, lemon pepper, garlic powder, parsley oil, parmesan cheese

3. Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans

@porcelian_plates #thanksgiving #holiday #sidedish #holidayrecipes #baconwrapped #greenbeans ♬ original sound - Porcelian

Ingredients: green beans, bacon, olive oil, brown sugar, minced rosemary, garlic salt

2. Garlic Butter Potatoes

@thedomesticgeek1 Garlic butter potatoes = the perfect Thanksgiving side. Full recipe on thedomesticgeek.com #potato #thanksgiving #recipes #delicious ♬ Delicious Food - Mdstocksound

Ingredients: potatoes, parmesan cheese, olive oil, minced garlic, italian seasoning, butter, parsley

1. Crockpot Mac & Cheese

@cookinwithkayla crockpot mac & cheese 🧀 i was running late so didnt get to do an "after" but the kiddos (and adults) all loved this at friendsgiving last night. The evaporated milk threw me off the first time i did this but i swear by it now. #thanksgiving #thanksgivingdinner #thanksgivingrecipes #thanksgivingsides #crockpot #crockpotrecipes #crockpotmeals #thanksgivingideas #easyrecipe #easymeal #cookingtok #foodtok #fyp #trending #momsoftiktok #momswhocook #macandcheese ♬ original sound - cookin with kayla

Ingredients: box of elbow noodles, velveeta cheese, butter, milk, evaporated milk, cheddar cheese, monterrey jack cheese, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder

Thanksgiving desserts for kids who are picky eaters

You’d think the dessert table would be the easiest part of the meal for picky eaters.

But somehow, even that can be a disaster for kids. Pumpkin pie? "It tastes like vegetables." Pecan pie? "Too crunchy and weird." Apple pie? Well, we've already covered the whole "wet cake" situation.

It's enough to make you wonder if these kids actually like sugar at all.

But if your kids are like me and aren’t fans of pie — or any of the other traditional desserts you make every year — then here are a few Thanksgiving desserts that are too good for kids to pass on.

5. Turkey Leg Rice Krispies

@parentingcookingh This turkey leg Thanksgiving dessert idea is adorable!! Thanks @COOK IT ERICA #thanksgivingdessert #kidsdessert #sweettreat #turkeytime #gobblegobble #ricecrispytreat #kidsthanksgiving ♬ original sound - Parenting+CookingHavks

Ingredients: pretzel rods, white chocolate, mini marshmallows, butter, Cocoa Pebbles

4. Turkey-Shaped Chocolate Strawberry

@melissas_healthykitchen How to make chocolate dipped strawberry turkeys What you’ll need: Small popsicle sticks Organic strawberries Dark chocolate gems or chocolate chips Gluten free pretzel sticks or regular pretzels Mini marshmallows White chocolate chips Refined coconut oil for melting chocolate chips #thanksgivingdessert #chocolatecoveredpretzels #chocolatecoveredstrawberry #chocolatecoveredfruit #thanksgivingdessert #thanksgivingtreats #chocolatestrawberries #chocolatestrawberryturkey #falldesserts #thanksgivingfoodideas ♬ The Thanksgiving Song - Adam Sandler

Ingredients: pretzel sticks, melted chocolate, mini marshmallows, strawberries, popsicle sticks

3. Turkey Sundae

@shayleekaye Sweet little traditions with my sweet little turkeys 🦃🤍 I used waffle bowls, chocolate ice cream, m&m’s, candy eyes, whipped cream, and chocolate sprinkles to make these lil turkeys! 🦃 Gobble Gobble!! 🍂 #thanksgiving #treatideas #kidapproved #moms ♬ Autumn's Sweet Surrender - Peaceful Reveries

Ingredients: waffle bowls, chocolate ice cream, M&M’s, candy eyeballs, whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles

2. Pumpkin Pie Rice Krispy Treats

@hayesandjames Try this adorable recipe for the kids table at Thanksgiving! ✨ What do you make for the kids? Pumpkin Pie Rice Krispy Treats: • make your standard rice krispy treats recipe • spray a 9” round pan with PAM or grease with butter • pour mix into the pan creating a 1” border all around • using the remaining mix add orange dye (create orange by adding yellow and red dye together) • pour the orange mix into the center of the pan • flatten with parchment paper and turn over • cut into fours and add whipped cream • enjoy! #thanksgiving #thanksgivingrecipes #thanksgivingdinner #dessert #kidsdessert #ricekrispytreats #ricekrispies #ricekrispietreats #kids #kidssnacks #snacks #fallyall #momlife #thanksgivingday #kidsfood #kidsfoodideas #kidsfoodart ♬ abcdefu - Vitula

Ingredients: butter, marshmallows, Rice Krispies, orange food coloring, whipped cream

1. Turkey Oreo Balls

@cave_bakery Turkey Oreo Balls 🦃 Turkey Oreo Balls are easy and fun to make with kids or to spruce up a holiday table. With Oreos and cream cheese covered in milk chocolate, everyone can get in on the Thanksgiving fun. Gobble, gobble 🦃 #cavebakery #thanksgivingtreats #thanksgivingdessert #thanksgiving #turkey #thanksgivingfood ♬ Hello - OMFG

Ingredients: pretzels, Pocky biscuit sticks, Oreo cookies, cream cheese, melted chocolate, sprinkles

Look, Thanksgiving doesn't have to be a battleground between you and your picky eater.

You don't need to spend the whole day stressing about whether your kid will actually eat anything or if they'll just push mashed potatoes around their plate until you finally cave and make them a PB&J.

So this year, skip the guilt trip about not eating "real" Thanksgiving food and lean into what actually works.

ALSO ON MOD MOMS CLUB: 50 Thanksgiving-themed baby names your family can be thankful for this year

After all, the goal is to enjoy the holiday with your family — not wage war over green bean casserole.

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Thanksgiving entrees, side dishes, treats and desserts for kids who are picky eaters