6 Family-Friendly Bowl Recipes Everyone Can Get Behind—INSIDE!

Plus, tell us what type of meal planner you are.

ParentsCanada Logo
The Weekly - Your weekly digest on all things parenting

THE RECIPES

The Unsung Dinner Hero: 6 Family-Friendly Bowls Everyone Can Get Behind

Bowls are one of those quiet parenting wins that don’t get enough credit because they’re essentially a deconstructed dinner that still feels like a proper, balanced meal. Make one base (rice, noodles, greens, potatoes, hash browns, you name it…), a few toppings and a sauce or two, and suddenly everyone at the table gets what they want.

That flexibility is what makes bowls such a staple for busy families. They’re easy to customize for different ages and appetites, they can scale up or down, they’re a great way to use up leftovers and if you have choosy eaters who don’t want their food to touch, hand them a sectioned plate instead. No need for a separate meal.

So, whether you’re feeding adventurous eaters or kids who like to keep things familiar, these bowl ideas are ready and waiting to make weeknight dinners feel calmer, more creative and a lot less complicated.

Burrito Bowls
A build-your-own classic with rice, beans and toppings everyone can customize to their tastes.

Maple-Glazed Salmon Rice Bowls
Sweet and savoury, these rice bowls get finished off with flaky salmon and other garnishes kids already know.

Peanutty Soba Noodle Bowls
With noodles in a mild, nutty sauce, how can you go wrong?

Ginger Beef and Mushroom Bowls
Cozy and hearty, this dish is the best on a chilly winter weeknight.

Fish Taco Bowls
Think all the flavours of taco night but served in a bowl with add-ons everyone loves.

Egg and Hash Brown Breakfast-for-Dinner Bowls
Crispy potatoes, scrambled eggs and breakfast-themed toppings make this an easy win any time of day.

THE POLL

What Type of Meal Planner Are You?

Apparently kids have to eat every day, multiple times a day. And it’s our job to come up with what to feed them. That should really be spelled out before we decide to have kids…

We all hit that point in the afternoon when we think, “Sh*t, what am I going to make for dinner?” When that question pops into your head, do you immediately have an answer? Did you choose at the beginning of the week? Or do you just wing it? Tell us more below!

TODAY’S POLL

What type of meal planner are you?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Results from last week’s poll   

How's this year feeling so far?

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ So far, so good. I think it’s going to be a good year. (19.6%)
🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️ Steady start. I’m cautiously optimistic. (30.4%)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Heavy. I’m hoping for better days ahead. (33.9%)
🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ More of the same. The holidays were just a breather. (16.1%)

THE GRANDPARENTS

Grandparents Behind the Wheel: What Parents Should Know

Grandparents often play a big role in day-to-day childcare —including school pick-ups, extracurricular drop-offs and other times when grandkids are in their car. It can be very helpful to have an extra pair of hands, and an extra set of wheels, but it is important to know whether or not kiddos are safe in the car with their grandparents.

In this month’s Grandparenting Unfiltered, columnist Kathy Buckworth tackles this sensitive topic, breaking down what parents should consider before adding Grandma or Grandpa to the approved driver list.

Here are some of the topics she covers:

  • How to assess driving ability without hurting feelings

  • What parents and grandparents need to know about updated car seat rules

  • Why vehicle safety and maintenance matter

  • What to have on hand in case of a car breakdown

  • How roadside assistance can offer peace of mind to everyone.

Tap the button below for the whole story.

THE QUESTION BOX

My Kid Wants an Outdoor Birthday Party But It’s Winter—Is It Even Possible?

The short answer? Heck yes, it’s possible! Winter birthdays don’t have to mean cramming guests into your living room (and then spending hours after cleaning up). With a little planning, an outdoor winter party can actually be easier—and even more fun—than an indoor one.

The key is to keep kids moving with active games, lean into the season (snow games, scavenger hunts or even tobogganing), and plan simple ways to warm everyone up, like hot chocolate and campfire-friendly food. Skip fussy details like cutting cake in the cold and think practical instead—cupcakes, seasonal treats or even maple sugar candy.

If your winter kid is dreaming of an outdoor party, it’s more doable than you think. Tap the button below for all the details.