Oatmeal Recipes for Kids

Oatmeal recipes for kids can be simple, warm, colorful, and fun. If your kids are not excited about plain oatmeal, try adding fruit, making overnight oats, using the crockpot, or decorating oatmeal bowls with silly faces and animal designs.

Kids Cooking Activities Teaching Materials

Teaching kids to cook? Save time with ready-made lesson plans used by parents and teachers. Browse teaching materials →

Easy Stovetop Oatmeal

This is a simple oatmeal recipe kids can help measure and top with fruit. Adults should handle the hot stove.

Ingredients

• 1 cup oats
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup milk
• 1 to 2 bananas, cut in chunks, optional

Directions

1. Add oats, water, milk, and banana to a saucepan.
2. Stir and cook on medium heat until boiling.
3. Continue stirring and cooking until the oatmeal thickens.
4. Serve with fresh fruit or frozen berries.

Carrot Cake Oats on the Stovetop

Apple Cinnamon Crockpot Oatmeal

Apple cinnamon crockpot oatmeal is a helpful make-ahead breakfast because it cooks overnight and is ready in the morning.

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup oats
• 1 cup finely chopped apple
• 1/2 cup raisins and chopped almonds

Directions

1. Spray or grease the inside of a crockpot.
2. Add ingredients to the crockpot and mix well.
3. Cover and cook overnight on low for about 8 to 9 hours.
4. Stir before serving.
5. Top with chopped apples and nuts, if desired.

Overnight Oats

Overnight oats are a no-cook breakfast kids can help layer in a jar or bowl before bedtime.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup oats
• 3/4 cup yogurt
• 1/4 cup milk
• Bananas and/or berries

Directions

1. Layer oats, yogurt, milk, bananas, and berries in a bowl or jar.
2. Stir well or cover and shake the jar until mixed.
3. Cover and chill overnight.
4. Top with fresh fruit, shredded coconut, granola, nuts, or other toppings before serving.

Brownie Batter Overnight Oats

Oatmeal Garnishing Ideas

Sometimes it is all in how you serve or garnish your meals. These oatmeal bowls turn breakfast into a fun food art project.

Owl Oatmeal

Top cooked oatmeal with sliced fruit and nuts to create an owl face.

Bunny Oatmeal

Add bunny ears and a fruit face for a spring or Easter breakfast.

Reindeer Oatmeal

Use strawberries for ears, nose, and antlers, then add berries or chocolate chips for eyes.

Fox Oatmeal

Use peanut butter, nut butter, jam, blueberries, and toast triangles to make a fox face.

Treasure Map Oatmeal

A fun breakfast idea for kids who like pirates and food art.

Flower Oatmeal

Use kiwi, strawberries, and chopped almonds to create a flower scene.

Snowman Oatmeal

Add a strawberry hat, blueberry eyes, and a chocolate chip smile.

Penguin Oatmeal

Use blackberries, mango, and bananas to make a penguin breakfast bowl.

Rainbow Breakfast

Create a fruit rainbow on top of a bowl of oatmeal.

Zucchini Oatmeal

For a similar decorating idea, try kids smoothie bowls.

More Oatmeal and Breakfast Resources

Easy Breakfast Meals

Find more quick breakfast recipes, make-ahead ideas, and kid-friendly morning meals.

Homemade Granola

Make a crunchy topping for oatmeal, yogurt parfaits, and smoothie bowls.

Parfait Ideas

Layer yogurt, fruit, and granola for another easy breakfast kids can build.

Smoothie Bowls

Try another colorful breakfast bowl with fruit and toppings.

More Breakfast Ideas

Use these links to keep exploring the breakfast recipe section.

Get Free Kids Recipe Cards + Cooking Printables

Join Kids Cooking Activities for fun recipes, cooking ideas, and printable resources for kids, families, and classrooms.

Join the Free Printables Club

Follow Kids Cooking Activities too: