How to plan five weeknight dinners together
- Start with the week you actually have. Check which evenings need a quick dinner and who will be eating. Little Plate starts with Monday to Friday; add Saturday and Sunday when you need them.
- Set the household boundaries first. Add the adults and children who are eating, then review food preferences, excluded ingredients and allergies. Parents keep control of what can be offered. Check ingredient labels when shopping and cooking.
- Give children a manageable choice. Instead of asking “what do you want for dinner?”, let them choose ingredients through their private weekly link. They can participate without creating an account. A small choice is easier to discuss than a completely open menu.
- Review and finalise the menu. Look over the choices before committing to the week. You can change household members, preferences and planning days later in the family settings.
- Shop from the combined list. Little Plate brings ingredients together once the menu is finalised. Check your cupboards before buying, then use the list while shopping.
A practical example for a busy week
Begin Monday with rainbow chicken rice bowls. On another evening, try tomato lentil pasta. For a different combination, explore black bean rice bowls. These three complete public recipes include measured ingredients and cooking steps, so you can try them before signing up.
The sample family meal plan and shopping list shows five dinner previews together. It is an example to explore without an account; your own menu uses your household’s portions and preferences.
Small ways children can help with dinner
Choosing an ingredient is one way to participate. At cooking time, a child might wash vegetables, arrange ingredients or help serve, with an adult alongside them. Follow the recipe’s suggested tasks and choose what suits your child’s ability. Adults handle raw meat, sharp tools and heat.
Making room for a contribution gives you something to do together while dinner is being prepared. It does not guarantee that a child will eat a particular food, and it does not replace individual advice about feeding difficulties.
Useful for households without children, too
You can plan meals for adults without adding a child. Keep your household portions, food preferences, weekly menu and shopping list together, and include child participation only when it fits your household.
What can I try before subscribing?
The public sample week and three sample recipes are free to explore without an account. Personalised planning and the full recipe collection follow the access included in your chosen plan. Compare the current prices, trials and plan features before you begin.
Who controls the family plan?
The parent or adult account holder manages the household and reviews the menu. Children use a private link for their own week. Keep that link private; it expires and can be revoked. Learn more about family privacy or ask us a question.