Nutritious Summer Kids' Meals Ideas for Nurseries
24th June 2025
As temperatures rise and children spend more time outdoors during the summer, the warmer weather often brings changes in appetite, hydration needs, and daily routines which means nursery menus may need a seasonal rethink too.
In the early years, mealtimes are more than just nourishment they’re vital opportunities for little ones to explore different textures, flavours, and nutrients. That’s why creating a totally new summer menu that feels fresh, appealing, and developmentally appropriate is a great idea for childcare settings.
What’s more, rotating the menu with the seasons not only keeps things interesting and appealing but also encourages children to try new ingredients, enjoy different sensory experiences, and get used to eating seasonably! Summer ingredients—think vibrant fruits, crunchy salads, lighter grains, and cooling dairy can be woven into the menu in ways that feel fun, tasty, and appropriate for tiny tummies.
Offering little one's balanced nursery meals that are also refreshing and hydrating may start becoming a priority! In this blog, I’ll be sharing some of my favourite ideas for balanced, nutritious summer meals covering breakfast, lunch, snacks, and afternoon tea as well as simple, practical tips for keeping nutrition on track when the temperatures climb. Whether you’re a nursery practitioner planning menus or a parent looking for seasonal inspiration, I hope this guide gives you plenty of easy wins and fresh ideas.
Summer Kids' Meals Ideas for Nurseries
Creating seasonal, nutritious menus can be easier than you think. Here are ideas inspired by our own menu here at Zebedees, and with some expert advice from our Nutritionist!
Breakfast Smoothie Recipe
A quick, nourishing start to the day. Try this smoothie from Charlotte Stirling-Reed.
Ingredients (Serves 1):
250ml milk
1 tbsp oats
½ banana
1 tbsp peanut butter
Pinch of cinnamon
Handful of spinach or mixed berries
Preparation:
Blend until smooth. Add more milk if needed and top with some extra fresh fruits as finger foods. Store in the fridge for up to a day.
Summer Lunch: Vegetable & Apricot Tagine
A comforting vegetarian dish full of flavour.
Ingredients: Apricot, chickpeas, onion, carrot, potato, peppers, garlic, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, tomato, stock, rice flour & date purée.
Preparation: Sauté vegetables and spices, add low salt stock, simmer until tender. Thicken with corn flour.
Afternoon Tea: Chicken Roll with Spinach
A light and tasty tea option.
Ingredients: Chicken breast, well chopped spinach (steamed or lightly cooked), crème fraîche, wholemeal roll, courgette, carrots, plain yoghurt.
Preparation: Combine cooked chicken and spinach with crème fraîche and serve in a roll. Add grated veg and finish with yoghurt (try mixing in a few mashed raspberries for a fun twist).
Hot Tea: Charlotte’s Baby-Friendly Summer Curry
This summer curry is suitable for babies from 6 months and uses milder spices. Blend it for younger eaters or serve soft veg as finger foods. Chickpeas are the main protein here, but chicken or white fish can be added too.
What you need:
1 small onion
1 clove of garlic
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp cumin
200g chickpeas
1 large white potato, peeled
6 cauliflower florets
200g tinned tomatoes
1 cup spinach
1 tsp vegetable oil
100g basmati rice (dry)
Optional: A pinch of paprika for the adults
Method:
Sauté onion and garlic in oil.
Add chickpeas, cook for 2 mins.
Stir in all the spices.
Add chopped potato, cauliflower and tomatoes. Simmer with lid on for 20 mins.
Meanwhile, cook rice.
Stir in spinach at the end to wilt. Serve with rice.
This dish is packed with flavour and nutrients—and ideal for making in batches.
Snack: Oatie Blueberry Muffins
These muffins are soft, fruity and toddler-friendly. Adapted from Charlotte Stirling-Reed.
Ingredients:
1 ripe banana
150ml milk
1 egg
½ tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
100g oats
50g plain flour
50g blueberries
Preparation: Mash banana, mix with egg and milk, stir in dry ingredients, fold in blueberries. Spoon into muffin cases and bake at 180°C for 15–20 mins. Store in fridge or freeze.
Make-It-Together Treat: Fruity Ice Lollies
A great hot-day activity to do with the children.
Ingredients:
1 ripe banana
A handful of berries
200ml plain yoghurt or coconut yoghurt
Preparation: Blend all ingredients and pour into lolly moulds. Freeze overnight.
Not only are these a cooling treat, but they’re also packed with fibre and vitamin C.
Summer Nutrition Tips
Keep Kids Hydrated
Offer water or milk regularly—children often need reminders.
Serve drinks with meals and snacks.
Add hydrating foods like cucumber, melon, berries, and yoghurt.
Food Safety
Keep perishables cool.
Avoid items that spoil easily.
Use coolers for packed foods.
Offer cold options like pasta salads.
Go Seasonal
Fresh, local foods are often tastier and more nutritious.
Strawberries, courgettes, tomatoes, and peppers are great summer staples.
Offer Lighter Meals
Picky teas are ideal in the warmer months. Offer small selections of sandwiches, crackers, chopped veggies, dips, and fruits. Include hydrating elements like melon, cucumber, plain yoghurt with mashed raspberries, and milk or water.
Serve Fun, Colourful Plates
Make mealtimes engaging with bright food, tableware and even outdoor picnics under the shade. Encourage trying new foods in a relaxed, playful setting.
Be a Role Model
Let little ones see you eating a variety of healthy foods and drinking plenty of water too.
Final Thoughts
Summer is a great time to refresh menus with easy, seasonal meals. Focus on hydration, lighter options, and vibrant ingredients that appeal to little ones.
For more tips, check out our guide on creating positive mealtimes. Need help with meals? Let us support you. Explore our summer menus and book a free tasting session.
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