18 Healthy and Easy Daycare Breakfast Ideas

Are you stuck in a rut when it comes to daycare breakfast ideas?  These are the best healthy daycare breakfast ideas that your kiddos are sure to gobble up.

Whew, trying to come up with easy daycare breakfast ideas that are also healthy can be hard.

As a home daycare provider for the last 9 years and a mom of 4 (age 11 and under), I am sharing with you the top daycare breakfast ideas that all my kids love.

You are going to learn about so many great variations of classic daycare breakfast ideas so your kids won’t get bored.

When you finish checking out all of these spectacular daycare breakfast ideas, you will be able to create a menu that is sure to be a hit.

Let's jump into the best daycare breakfast ideas that every daycare provider should know about.

1. Jelly Roll Pans

2. Mini Muffin Pans

3. Kitchen Aid Mixer

4. Flexible Cutting Board

5. Griddle

Just like the jelly roll pans, you can make a whole lot of breakfast on a griddle at once.

And with you being a daycare mama, I know you have no time to waste!

This one is very easy to clean as well.

1. Breakfast Prep

If there is any pre-prepping you can do for breakfast, and all of your meals, do it.  

It will make things easier when your daycare kids are present.

2. Make It Easy

Your daycare kids are going to care one fig how long you spent making their breakfast or if it is fancy.  They just want to know that they can eat their food.

So, even though you should be introducing them to a WIDE variety of foods, pick easy recipes!

3. Have a Breakfast Meal Plan

I cannot stress this enough, have a breakfast meal plan.  It is going to rock your world. 

Knowing what you are going to make and what you need to shop for will be life-changing for you in the best way.

And while you are making a breakfast meal plan, work on a lunch and snack meal plan too.

4. Make Extra

If you can make extras of anything on this list and freeze them, then you will have breakfasts done for those crazy mornings. 

You know the ones.  We have all had them and just need something to be easy on those days.

Great examples of these are pancakes, waffles, French toast, and scones.

1. Fruits and Vegetables

Serve any of these ideas with a side of fruits and vegetables.  You and I both know that the more you offer them, the more kids will eat them.  And boy, do they ever need them!

It is so easy to get stuck in a rut when it comes to fruits and vegetables but try your hardest to do a variety.

Let me know in the comments below what your favorite fruits and vegetables are at breakfast.

I love peaches, avocados, and bell pepper the best with my breakfasts.

2. Cereal

Wowza, have you taken a stroll down the cereal aisle?  There are so many to choose from.

If you are new to buying cereal, first try and grab a few different kinds every time and mark down what your kids love the best.  When you’ve made it through as many as you want to try, only then start buying the favorites.

Don't be afraid to toss in those adult healthy cereals either.  More kids like them than you think.

3. Oatmeal

Whip up some oatmeal now and then.  I love oatmeal but never eat it plain.  It is pretty blah that way and I am sure most kids agree.

You can spice it up by adding some butter, fruit, jelly, peanut butter, a splash of milk, a cinnamon and sugar mix, or my daughter's favorite way – a little brown sugar and sprinkles.  

We all need a few more sprinkles in our lives!

4. Energy Bites

These energy bites are perfect for any time of the day really but having them at breakfast fills kids right up and keeps them full. 

Plus, you can add in any healthy extras you can think of like raisins, craisins, or even chopped-up nuts.

1 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter

½ Cup Honey

3 Cups Oatmeal, I use 1-minute oats.

Line a 9x9 pan with tin foil.  Melt peanut butter and honey in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until smooth.  Add oats and mix.

Press into pan and put into the refrigerator or freezer to set.  Cut into small bites.  Store in the fridge or freezer.

Now, friend, I tried making a single batch and they were gone in a hot minute.  So you may want to double or triple this recipe!

5. Fruit Parfait

Grab some of your favorite yogurt, fruit, and granola, and boom baby, you have a fruit parfait. 

And your kids are going to love it.  These also make a great afternoon snack on those hot summer days.

6. Pancakes

Remember those jelly roll pans I was telling you about earlier?  Well, here is an amazing tip about making pancakes.

Pour 1 batch of pancake mix onto a greased jelly roll pan and back for about 8 to 10 minutes at 350°F.  Your pancakes are ready!

Or you can stand and flip them all on the stovetop.  Dealer’s choice.

I always make 2 pans of pancakes and there are usually enough to last 2 breakfasts.

7. French Toast

You can make French toast on the stovetop, that amazing griddle I was describing earlier, and a jelly roll pan in the oven. 

French toast sticks are also a hit with young kids.  If you don’t know what French toast sticks are, it is when you cut your bread into 4 sticks before you dip them.

I find that Texas Toast works best for any kind of French toast. 

Let me know in the comments below what kind of bread you like to use to make your French toast.

8. Eggs

Oh wow, there are so many different ways to make eggs – scrambled, over easy, omelets, fried, egg bakes, and so much more.

Let me know in the comments below which is your favorite.

I love eggs since they are healthy and for the most part inexpensive!

9. Breakfast Wraps

Grab your tortilla shells, breakfast meat, eggs, cheese, and maybe some veggies and you have an amazing breakfast wrap.

If your kiddos are a little too small to hold the wraps together, make them into breakfast quesadillas.  Those can easily be cut into small bites.

10. Scones

I love scones for their versatility and for how filling they are.  You can go for sweet with berries or savory with cheese and herbs.

Make them with a glaze for a bit more of a treat or without the glaze to keep them a bit healthier.

The possibilities are endless.

11. Waffles

If you have the space and time, bust out your mega waffle maker and get to baking this kid-loving breakfast.

But if you are like me, the ones from the freezer aisle work just as well.

12. Breakfast Sandwiches

You know the ones I am talking about, the ones we both get at gas stations every once in a while.

They have a biscuit, breakfast meat, egg, and cheese in them.

For kiddos, I make them with Hawaiian Rolls.  Smaller buns/sandwiches for small hands.

13. Toast

This has to be one of the most classic and easiest breakfast ideas on this list.  But kids love toast.

You can top it with a variety of things from peanut butter to jelly to an avocado spread.  They all gobble it right up.

14. Muffins/Bread

Try your hand at making your own muffins and flavored bread, and I don’t mean by pouring out the mix. 

When you make it, you can make it healthier by reducing the sugar, using healthy oils, and adding a bit more fruit and veggies.

Your new Kitchen Aid Mixer will whip this batter up in no time for you.

15. Bagels

We have been testing out different brands of bagels and so far, my kids all love the Hawaiian bagels best.

Add some cream cheese, or a multitude of other toppings and they are so yummy.

16. English Muffins

Some kids absolutely love English muffins while others won't care for them.  But you will never know unless you offer it to them.

Just like toast, you can top it with a variety of things.  My favorite is butter and peanut butter.  What’s yours?

17. Fig Bar

I was turned onto Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars by a daycare mom of mine.  They make a filling, quick breakfast or afternoon snack.

My kids love the Blueberry and Raspberry flavors the best, and we have tried them all.

18. Special Breakfast Treats

Ok friend, I know I said we were going to talk all about healthy breakfast options but what fun is it to eat healthy all of the dang time?

Sometimes a special occasion calls for a special breakfast and these options are our favorites.

Coffee Cake

Donuts

Danish

Cinnamon Rolls

Celebrate those kiddos that are making your life complete right now!