Breakfast for Dinner

• All ages of children, from younger ones to even teens, enjoy the idea of having breakfast for dinner. Make this a family ritual where everyone comes to the table dressed in pajamas. Serve bacon and eggs and pancakes. Have the family participate in the making of certain breakfast for dinner items, such as waffles and fruit salads. Serve different types of fruit juices or have your children help prep the ingredients to make fruit smoothies.
  
  

Build-Your-Own Night

• The build-your-own concept works best for families with older children or teens. Build-your-own night may include providing each family member with raw pizza dough, either from scratch or thawed frozen dough, and a variety of pizza toppings. Another good build-you-own night is a baked potato bar with toppings like chili, broccoli, melted American cheese, low fat sour cream and chives.
  
  

Grilled Cheese and TV Supper

• On special occasions, relax the family supper rules to incorporate TV viewing into the meal. Decide ahead of time which specific show to watch during the meal. Serve the meal on portable trays. Choose finger foods like grilled cheese sandwiches and cut up fruit served with yogurt dip to avoid spills.
  
  

Appetizer Party

• Plan a semi-formal family supper. Encourage members to dress up. Serve several appetizers, utilizing the strengths of each member to help prepare or serve the meal. Ask each member to choose one or two favorite foods and incorporate them into various appetizers. Appetizer ideas include: sausages with different mustards, fruit plates, cut-up raw vegetables, cheese and crackers and cookies for dessert, nachos and egg rolls.