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There are two types of kids on the day (or days) after Thanksgiving.
On one hand, you have the kid that will happily eat a cold drumstick for breakfast and construct the most impressive Thanksgiving leftover sandwich for lunch before asking if there’s anything left by dinner.
Thanksgiving leftovers? They're basically a second holiday for this kid.
On the other hand, you have the kid who's completely over it. The same child who ate three helpings on Thursday now claims they "don't really like stuffing" and would prefer literally anything else for lunch.
READ MORE: Thanksgiving entrees, side dishes, treats and desserts for kids who are picky eaters
If your kid falls into the second category, then these Thanksgiving leftover recipes are for you.
Because let's be real — you spent hours (days if counting prep time) making that Thanksgiving feast and you're not about to let half of it go to waste just because someone suddenly has opinions about turkey.
And that goes for all the fixings, too — including the green bean casserole, stuffing, gravy and corn.
Kid-friendly Thanksgiving leftover recipes and ideas
The trick to getting kids excited about leftovers? Make sure they don’t actually look like leftovers.
And if you want to win with Thanksgiving leftover ideas, stick to what you know already works — which means disguise them in foods you know your kids will enjoy, such as mac and cheese or even waffles.
If your kids like a good salad, top it with shredded turkey instead of chicken.
If your kids like a good pizza, top it with turkey instead of sausage.
READ MORE: New data reveals the one Thanksgiving side dish your state loves more than anything else
With the right spin, Thanksgiving leftovers can turn into cozy comfort meals perfect for the long weekend ahead of you — helping to give your fridge (and your sanity) a much-needed reset after a chaotic holiday.
15. Mac and cheese (with turkey)
This is a great way to get rid of all that extra turkey and mac & cheese.
If your mac & cheese has been in the fridge, add one tablespoon of milk for every one cup of mac & cheese and reheat it the same way it was made — if you cooked it in the oven, then throw it in the oven.
You can either heat the turkey (and any other vegetables you want to add) separately or together.
And if you don’t have any mac & cheese leftover because your kids ate it all the day before, then you can always make a new batch (even if it’s boxed mac & cheese) and add turkey and/or vegetables at the end.
14. Turkey noodle soup
It’s soup season — so let’s repurpose the turkey and all those vegetables into a turkey noodle soup.
All you need to do is sauté some onions, carrots and celery, add in your favorite broth and simmer until the vegetables are tender and cook your favorite noodles on the side before adding everything together.
Since the turkey is already cooked, you can add it at the end so it can reheat before serving.
This is also a great way to get rid of dinner rolls — after all, you can’t have soup without a dinner roll. And if you end up making too much of it, soup is easy to reheat later or even freeze for easy meals next week.
13. Shepherd’s pie
If you’re looking for a good Thanksgiving leftover casserole, then this is definitely it.
You’ll just need to sauté any leftover vegetables before adding seasoning, flour and broth until the sauce thickens. Once the filling is done, add turkey and top it with leftover mashed potatoes before baking it.
You can also add shredded cheese on top of the mashed potatoes — because who doesn’t like cheese?
It’s one of those dishes that might not look delightful at first, but your kids will quickly change their mind if you can entice them to give it a try. And if they’re not budging, try topping it with some fresh gravy.
12. Turkey pot pie
This is a similar idea as the Shepherd’s pie, but the end result is more like a classic pie.
Start by making a quick filling: sauté leftover veggies (or frozen ones if that’s easier), stir in some gravy or broth to make it saucy, then add the turkey at the end so it warms through without drying out.
For the crust, you have options. Leftover pie dough? Great. Store-bought pie crust? Even better. Crescent roll dough? Absolutely.
Fill your dish, cover it with the crust of your choice and bake until the top is golden and your kitchen smells like you’ve been cooking all day — even though you definitely haven’t been.
11. Grilled cheese (with turkey)
If you have a child that loves ham in their grilled cheese, then turkey makes a good substitute.
You’ll make it the same way. Just butter one (or both) sides of your bread, layer in your child’s favorite cheese with leftover turkey slices, then let it toast on the stove until the cheese melts and turkey heats.
I personally like to chop the turkey into small bits instead of large slices.
If you want to add a little extra flavor, you can spread a thin layer of leftover cranberry sauce inside — it gives that sweet-savory combo without being “too Thanksgiving” for picky eaters.
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10. Stuffed crescent rolls
If there’s one leftover hack that feels almost too easy, it’s stuffed crescent rolls.
All you have to do is unroll a can of crescent dough, add a spoonful of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes or even a little cheese as a filling, then roll them back up and bake until golden brown.
They come out looking like mini hand pies — warm, soft, buttery and perfectly kid-sized.
You can serve them with a side of warm gravy or cranberry sauce for dipping, which somehow makes the whole dish feel fun instead of “Mom is making me eat leftovers again.”
9. Turkey sandwiches
There’s nothing better than a Thanksgiving leftover sandwich with all that extra turkey.
You can keep it classic with turkey, cheese and a little mayo, or turn it into a “Thanksgiving club” by adding leftover bacon, lettuce or even a thin layer of cranberry sauce for sweetness.
Or, if your kids are the type who love classic Thanksgiving sides, then turn it into a Thanksgiving sub.
Toast a sub roll and heat up all the extra turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and veggies you can find and add it to the roll. You can drizzle some gravy or cranberry sauce as a dressing before serving.
8. Turkey salad sandwich
When I grew up, my Grandma would make us the perfect chicken salad for sandwiches.
This is the same thing, but using leftover turkey instead of chicken.
To make it, just cut your veggies (carrots, celery, onion, etc.) into small pieces and mix in some cold turkey and mayo until you have the right consistency and taste. Add chopped grapes for sweetness.
Some people like to eat it as a side (like macaroni salad), while others add it to a sandwich.
Either way, it's a simple, kid-friendly way to use up leftover turkey — and is usually good in the fridge for a few days, meaning you’ll have good sandwiches for lunch throughout the long weekend ahead of you.
7. Mashed potato pancakes or waffles
Lots of leftover mashed potatoes? Did you know you can turn it into pancakes and waffles?
Just mix your mashed potatoes with an egg, a little flour and any seasonings your kids like. Then scoop the mixture into a hot skillet to make pancakes or press it into a waffle iron for fluffy, crunchy waffles.
You can top them with cranberry sauce, gravy or the traditional way — maple syrup.
They’re fun to eat for a post-Thanksgiving breakfast, filling and look nothing like the mashed potatoes your kids “weren’t in the mood for” the day before — which is exactly why this leftover trick works so well.
6. Cranberry popsicles
If your kids love cranberry sauce, then they’ll love these leftover cranberry popsicle sticks.
To make them, simply add the leftover cranberry sauce into a blender with Greek yogurt and maple syrup. Blend until you reach your desired consistency and give it a taste before transferring to a popsicle mold.
Then just place the mold in the freezer for about four hours or until frozen.
These are great to make as a late night snack because they’re healthier than most ice cream and can be kept in the freezer for weeks, if not months — meaning you can easily make large batches for later use.
READ MORE: 20 kid-friendly Thanksgiving traditions worth starting with your family this year
5. Turkey fajitas
If your kids love taco night, then turkey fajitas are the best way to rummage through leftover turkey.
Just slice up some peppers and onions, sauté them until tender and toss in shredded turkey with a little taco or fajita seasoning. Since the turkey is already cooked, it only needs a few minutes to warm through.
Serve with warm tortillas, shredded cheese, salsa or whatever toppings your kids normally pile onto their tacos.
It’s colorful, customizable and feels like a totally different meal than the one you ate the day (or days) before — which is exactly why kids forget they’re eating leftovers in the first place.
4. Stuffing muffins
If you have extra stuffing in the fridge, then make some stuffing muffins with it — also known as stuffins.
Scoop the leftover stuffing into a greased muffin tin, press it down so it holds its shape and bake until the top is golden. If the stuffing seems dry, mix in a splash of broth or whisked egg to help it stick together.
You can enjoy them as-is or add a tiny dollop of cranberry sauce or gravy on top.
They’re handheld, snackable and surprisingly kid-friendly — perfect for lunchboxes, snacks or an easy side dish that uses up a solid chunk of leftovers without any complaints.
3. Cranberry yogurt bark
If you need a good post-Thanksgiving dessert that’s healthy, look no further than cranberry yogurt bark.
All you need is three ingredients — Greek yogurt, leftover cranberry sauce and sugar (or whatever sweetener you prefer). Add the three ingredients to a bowl, mix it and spread it on a baking sheet.
You can then top with more cranberries, pistachios or even chocolate chips.
Throw the baking sheet in the freezer for a few hours and then break it up into smaller pieces for easy eating. It’s the kind of dessert that feels fun and festive without taking too much time or effort.
2. Cranberry oat bars
Cranberry oat bars make the perfect post-Thanksgiving breakfast treat for the kiddos.
Just mix together melted butter, sugar, an egg, vanilla, oats, flour, baking powder and a pinch of salt until everything forms a soft dough. Press about two-thirds of that mixture into the bottom of a baking pan.
Then spread a generous layer of leftover cranberry sauce over the top.
Crumble the rest of the oat mixture on as the topping and bake until the edges are golden and your kitchen smells like you’ve officially crossed back into cozy fall mode.
1. Mac and cheese balls
If you really want to win leftover night, turn that extra mac and cheese into mac and cheese balls.
All you need to do is scoop your cold mac and cheese into small balls (it’s easier to shape when it’s chilled), then roll each one in flour, dip it in beaten egg and coat it with breadcrumbs.
You can either bake them until golden or air fry them for an extra-crunchy finish without the mess.
They come out melty on the inside, crispy on the outside and dangerously snackable — basically the perfect hand-held comfort food. Serve them with marinara, ranch or even leftover gravy for dipping.
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At the end of the day, Thanksgiving leftovers don’t have to feel like a chore — for you or your kids.
With a little creativity (and maybe a waffle iron or air fryer), those extra sides and half-filled containers can turn into fun, cozy meals that actually get your kids excited to eat again.
