Make Family Dinner Night Fun

The benefits of eating together as a family are clear.

Time spent around the table as a family increases family stability, bonding, self-esteem and resiliency. Studies by the Family Dinner Project, through Massachusetts General Hospital, show family dinners even lower rates of depression and anxiety in children.

When my children were young, nearly every meal was shared together at the table. Setting the table – sometimes even super casually with paper plates and napkins – was a symbolic way of letting my kids know that our family was important and worth the time it took to sit and eat and talk together.

Weeknight family dinners look different now that my children are in middle school. Even in their elementary school years, it was hard to find consistency at dinnertime. We caught up while warming up leftovers, with kids at barstools or bent over the kitchen table to finish their homework.

But because the benefits of family dinners are undeniable – and because it’s something I love – we try to capture time to sit together for dinner, despite the chaos of kids’ after-school activities, sports and homework.

Even if you’re only able to gather for dinner once a week, that’s great! Make that one day a week count with fun, laughter and maybe even a game. Weeknight dinners may not be possible, but how about a Saturday or Sunday night?

Designating one day a week as family night is something older kids might groan about, but they’ll likely enjoy time spent with the people who love them most. Make it fun by making food everyone loves or making something where everyone can help cook. Homemade pizza, grilled hamburgers or big sub sandwiches with lots of toppings are all fun and can be customized so that everyone is happy.

Ideas for Family Fun Night

• Dance Party – Crank up some music after dinner and dance with your kids.
• Dress Up – Put an invitation on the refrigerator letting everyone know the dress code for dinner. Dress like royalty. Dress like you’re going to the beach. Wear the craziest thing in your closet. Or let the kids make the dress code!
• Dinner and a Game – Make a charcuterie dinner of nibbles and snacks to eat while you play board games, cards or dominoes.
• Punch and Paint – Serve punch or juice in fancy cups and set up some sketchpads or easels for painting or drawing after dinner.

Family Read-Alouds

Reading aloud to kids doesn’t just have to happen before bedtime. Finding a book the whole family will love is a fun way to end the evening. Right after dinner, entice the kids with a little dessert – fruit dipped in chocolate, muffins, even applesauce – to enjoy while you read.

Here are some books to consider:

• The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
• The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
• Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
• Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
• The Vanderbeekers of 141^st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

Recipes

Try one of these recipes for family dinner night. These kid-approved recipes will bring everyone to the table.

French Bread Pizza

• 1 loaf French bread
• ½ stick butter, softened
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 ½ cups pizza sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese
• Toppings: pepperoni, sausage, pineapple, bell peppers, bacon, basil

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Cut the loaf of bread in half lengthwise. In a small bowl, combine butter and garlic. Spread mixture over the bread. Place on a baking sheet – cut-side up – and bake 5 minutes or until lightly browned.
3. Remove from the oven and spread pizza sauce on the top. Top with cheeses, then toppings. Bake 12-15 minutes or until browned and bubbly. Cool 5 minutes before slicing.

Spaghetti Pie

• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• 1 (8-ounce) package spaghetti
• ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta or cottage cheese
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 10-inch pie plate with 1 tablespoon butter.
2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook spaghetti, drain, then return to the pot.
3. Stir parmesan cheese, beaten eggs and 2 tablespoons butter into hot spaghetti until well combined. Form spaghetti mixture into a crust in the prepared pie plate and set aside.
4. Cook ground beef until crumbly and browned. Drain fat, then add marinara sauce, stirring until heated through.
5. Spread ricotta or cottage cheese over spaghetti crust, then pour in beef-marinara mixture.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top of pie and continue baking until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes more.

Easy Cheesy Enchiladas

• 15 corn tortillas
• 16 ounces shredded Mexican cheese blend
• Enchilada Sauce:
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 2 cups chicken broth

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter or spray a casserole dish.
2. To make enchilada sauce: Heat oil, then add flour, whisking to cook for about a minute. Add seasonings, whisking until toasted and fragrant – a couple of minutes. Add tomato paste, then add a slow, steady stream of chicken broth, whisking to create a sauce. Turn up heat to medium-high, simmering until thickened. This should take 5 minutes or less. Cool slightly.
3. To assemble, spread ½ cup enchilada sauce into the bottom of the casserole dish. Wrap tortillas (about 6 at a time) in a damp paper towel and microwave 30 seconds to warm. This will help soften them so they won’t break when rolling.
4. Fill each tortilla with ¼ cup cheese, rolling until snug. Place seam-side down into the dish, continuing until the dish has been filled. Pour enchilada sauce over the top, completely covering the tortillas. Sprinkle about 1 cup of the remaining cheese on top.
5. Bake 20-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly.

Natalie Mikles is a mom of three. She writes about food, sharing recipes for busy families and picky eaters. She has been recognized for her food columns as well as features on families and issues affecting local children. She loves pizza and movie nights with her family.