15 Breakfast Ideas for Kids to Jumpstart Everyone’s Day

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring. These breakfast ideas for kids add a fun twist to the morning.

Cooking breakfast can feel like such a monotonous chore as you cycle through your repertoire of recipes: oatmeal, French toast, eggs and bacon, repeat. So do yourself — and your kids — a favor by trying out some inventive new takes on old favorites.

From cereal-crusted bananas to faux donuts to cereal bars, these innovative breakfast ideas for kids will finally level up the most important meal of the day — so much so that your kids will be begging for more.

Honey Nut Cereal Bar

Kids will love seeing their cereal in bar form. Getty Images

Sure, the kids could have a regular bowl of cereal and milk, but imagine how excited they’ll be to see their everyday cereal in a new form — a bar! And the best part? This recipe includes peanuts, honey and brown sugar for a delicious version that is completely no-bake. That’s right, you don’t even have to turn on your oven! Could it really be any easier?

An added bonus: These bars, unlike a bowl of cereal, are totally portable, making them a lifesaver for all those mornings when everyone is running late. Just grab a few of these, toss them to the kids in the backseat and — voila! — breakfast is served!

Donut Apples

Donut apples are almost as good as the real thing if you add delicious toppings. @picspeanutbutter / @leefromamerica / Instagram

Your kids are going to go nuts for these amazing looking “donuts” for breakfast. Made of apples, cream cheese, a little food coloring and any colorful toppings their little hearts desire, these are the definition of fun.

Make this meal extra memorable by setting out a toppings bar with anything from sprinkles, to nuts, to crushed up graham crackers for the kids to decorate their own donuts.

Happy Face Pancakes

Happy face pancakes will put a smile on any kid’s face. SchulteProductions / Getty Images

Trust us, these are always a kid favorite, and they’re really hard to mess up. Basically, it’s a parenting win-win. Make pancakes as usual, then use a variety of creative items to create the “face.” Think bananas for smiles, chocolate chips for a nose, blueberries for eyes and whipped cream for some crazy hair action.

Super ambitious parents can even make pancakes with multiple emotions — perhaps to reflect whatever your child’s mood of the day appears to be.

Green Eggs and Ham

Dr. Seuss inspired one of the most fun breakfasts of all time. @lizziekatestillontheroad / Instagram

It doesn’t have to be Dr. Seuss Day or St. Patrick’s Day to whip up this whimsical breakfast. Kids will always get a huge kick out of seeing everyday foods presented in extraordinary ways.

There are tons of recipes online for green eggs and ham, but Feast of Starlight has a particularly fun version where only the yolks of the eggs are dyed green, making it a real showstopper.

Birthday Pancakes

Birthday pancakes don’t have to be just for birthdays. voloshin311 / Getty Images

These aren’t just for birthdays, but they sure do make any day feel extra celebratory. Simply make pancakes as usual then top the stack with some sprinkles and some whipped cream — no off-key version of “Happy Birthday” required.

Peanut Butter Bear Toast

Liven up toast with a peanut butter bear. vkuslandia / Getty Images

This “recipe” is so easy and crowd-pleasing it almost feels like cheating. You simply make toast (yes, just plain ol’ toast) and spread peanut (or almond) butter on top in a general bear head shape (think a round face and two circles on top for the ears). Then, place blueberries on top for the eyes, a slice of banana on top of each of the ears and another round slice of banana with a blueberry in the middle for the nose.

Not that this requires an actual recipe, but if you’re one of those people who need step-by-step instruction, check out Weelicious’ version.

Stegosaurus Pancakes

Silly dinosaur shapes can make breakfast more fun. Make and Takes

Now this is a breakfast worth roaring over. Treat the mini dinosaur lover in your life with this creative recipe from food blog Make and Takes. And it couldn’t be easier: You start with a pancake body, add strawberry spikes, a banana tail, sausage legs and a chocolate chip eye, and an everyday pancake gets transformed into a prehistoric treat.

Pencil Waffles

Pencil waffles are the perfect back-to-school treat. @theberryblonde / Instagram

What could make a more perfect back-to-school breakfast than this adorable recipe from the Joys of Boys blog? Simple ingredients that you probably already have (waffles, raisins, bread and raspberries) come together in an unexpectedly playful way that’s sure to have your kids asking for seconds — and maybe even get them excited to go back to school.

Cinnamon Roll Snail

Cinnamon roll snails have a funny look. @_invisible_2_the_naked_eye_ / Instagram

Whether you’re a made-from-scratch or out-of-the-can cinnamon roll fan, it’s practically effortless to transform it into an extra-special meal the kids will remember past lunchtime. According to Kitchen Simmer, all you need are a couple toothpicks, mini marshmallows and chocolate chips to get all the oohs and ahhs.

French Toast on a Stick

French toast becomes more playful when served on a stick. VeselovaElena / Getty Images

Because anything on a stick is instantly more fun. Cut up French toast into cubes then alternate pieces of the toast and fruit on a skewer. Serve with a side of syrup, and watch your kids devour the whole thing — guaranteed.

Who knew all it took to get kids to clean their plates was a little rearranging of their everyday foods?

Bunny Oatmeal

Oatmeal is way less boring when it smiles back at you. Dash_med / Getty Images

Oatmeal is a go-to breakfast in most households and for good reason — it’s easy to make and nutritious. But it’s also oh-so-boring looking.

So, amp up the fun level with this whimsical take that’s sure to have your kids staring in awe. Strawberries, blueberries and bananas make up the face and chocolate syrup, the whiskers and mouth. Yes, it is as delicious as it sounds and the kids won’t be the only ones wanting it.

Breakfast Sushi

Give your kids chopsticks to eat their breakfast sushi. @emme_health / Instagram

No, we’re not necessarily recommending you serve your kids Philly rolls for breakfast, but sushi for breakfast is totally doable with this super creative take on the Japanese favorite from Raising Whasians.

What kid won’t flip when they see sliced bananas rolled in colorful cereal (like Fruity Pebbles) and topped with a fruit of their choice? Serve the pieces together as a “roll,” and give your kid chopsticks to really make it feel like a special morning treat.

Breakfast Popsicles

Breakfast popsicles are a perfect on-the-go option. victoriya89 / Getty Images

Perfect for a hot summer day — or any day where you just don’t feel like making breakfast (wait, isn’t that everyday?) — these “popsicles” are crazy easy to make the day (or weeks) before. They pop out of the freezer and still make you feel like you fed your kids a healthy, well-balanced breakfast.

Blend together some greek yogurt, choice of fruit, honey, chia seeds and a handful of spinach, and simply pour the mixture into popsicle molds and freeze. Now that’s what we call a breakfast of champions!

Egg in Not-Quite-a-Hole

Hearts are a fun twist on the traditional egg-in-a-hole breakfast item. eli_asenova / Getty Images

A classic breakfast can easily get the fun level turned up a notch with the simple addition of cookie cutters. Instead of cutting out the traditional circle as the “hole,” use hearts, stars or go extra crazy and serve Egg in a Gingerbread Man all year round.

Bacon, Egg and Toast Cups

Bacon, egg and toast cups offer a delicious all-in-one meal. fermate / Getty Images

These three classic breakfast foods can get inventively repackaged thanks to the queen of domesticity herself, Martha Stewart, and a muffin pan. And, if we’re being honest, doesn’t anything in muffin form always taste better?

This recipe does require a little work, but trust us when we say it’s totally worth it. And if your kids are feeling extra sluggish in the morning, pack these savory “muffins” up for an awesome on-the-go breakfast.