Rainbow Theme Dinner Ideas for Kids

Chicken with Mango Salsa

Juicy chicken topped with fresh mango salsa makes a naturally colorful main dish for a rainbow dinner. The salsa combines yellow mango, red tomatoes, purple-red onion and green cilantro.

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 18-25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 3 ripe mangoes, diced
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• Hot pepper, finely chopped, optional
• Juice of 1 lemon or lime

Directions

1. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
2. Grill over medium heat or bake at 375F until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F.
3. While the chicken cooks, combine the mangoes, red onion, cilantro, tomatoes and optional hot pepper.
4. Squeeze the lemon or lime juice over the salsa and stir gently.
5. Spoon the mango salsa over the cooked chicken and serve right away.

Rainbow Peppers with Melted Cheese

Red, orange, yellow and green bell peppers make an easy naturally colorful side dish. Add cheese and olives, then broil until the peppers are crisp-tender and the cheese melts.

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 5 minutes
Yield: About 36 appetizer strips

Ingredients

• 1/2 large green bell pepper
• 1/2 large red bell pepper
• 1/2 large yellow bell pepper
• 1/2 large orange bell pepper
• 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons ripe olives, chopped
• Red pepper flakes, optional

Directions

1. Preheat the broiler.
2. Cut each pepper half into about 9 strips.
3. Arrange the pepper strips skin-side down on an ungreased rimmed baking sheet.
4. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the peppers.
5. Add chopped olives and red pepper flakes, if desired.
6. Broil about 6 inches from the heat for approximately 5 minutes, or until the peppers are crisp-tender and the cheese has melted.
7. Serve warm.

Rainbow Colored Noodles

Turn cooked spaghetti into bright rainbow noodles for an edible craft, sensory activity or colorful side dish.

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 package spaghetti noodles
• Food coloring in several colors
• 2 tablespoons water per color

Directions

1. Set out zip-top bags, a strainer and bowls for each color.
2. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions.
3. Add about 20 drops of food coloring and 2 tablespoons water to one zip-top bag.
4. Drain the noodles and place a portion in the bag.
5. Seal the bag and gently mix until the noodles are evenly colored.
6. Let the noodles sit for about 1 minute.
7. Repeat with additional colors using clean bags.
8. Rinse each colored batch briefly with cold water in a strainer.
9. Combine the colors or keep them separate for rainbow designs.

Rainbow Mosaic Jell-O

This bright no-bake dessert combines cubes of colorful gelatin with a creamy vanilla layer. Kids can help choose the colors, cut the set gelatin and gently arrange the cubes.

Prep: 30 minutes
Chill: 5-6 hours
Yield: 12-16 squares

Ingredients

Rainbow Jell-O Cubes

• 4-5 small packages flavored gelatin in different colors
• 1 1/4 cups hot water per gelatin package

Creamy Layer

• 2 packages unflavored gelatin
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 1 1/2 cups hot water
• 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

Directions

Make the Colored Jell-O

1. Prepare each flavored gelatin using 1 1/4 cups hot water only. Do not add cold water. Stir until completely dissolved.
2. Pour each color into a separate shallow container or pan.
3. Refrigerate for about 2–3 hours, or until fully set.
4. Cut each color into small cubes.
5. Gently mix the cubes together and spread them evenly in a 13×9-inch pan.

Make the Creamy Layer

1. Sprinkle the unflavored gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water and let it sit for about 3 minutes.
2. Add 1 1/2 cups hot water and stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
3. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk until smooth.
4. Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then pour it evenly over the rainbow gelatin cubes.
5. Refrigerate for 5–6 hours, or until completely set.
6. Cut into squares and serve chilled.

Rainbow Cupcakes

Layer different colors of cake batter in cupcake liners to create a rainbow surprise inside. Kids can help mix each color and spoon the layers into the pan.

Prep: 20 minutes
Bake: 15-20 minutes
Yield: 12 cupcakes

Ingredients & Supplies

• 1 box white cake mix, prepared according to package directions, or homemade white cake batter
• Gel food coloring in rainbow colors
• 12 cupcake liners
• Frosting, optional
• Sprinkles, optional

Equipment

• Muffin pan
• 6 small bowls
• 6 spoons, one for each color
• Measuring cup or spoon

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F and prepare the cake batter according to the package directions or your homemade recipe.
2. Divide the batter evenly among 6 small bowls.
3. Tint each bowl a different rainbow color using gel food coloring.
4. Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners.
5. Spoon small amounts of batter into each liner in rainbow layers. One easy order is purple, blue, green, yellow, orange and red.
6. Gently tap the pan on the counter once or twice to help the batter settle without mixing the colors.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Cool completely before frosting or serving.

Rainbow Sugar Cookie Wedges

Color sugar cookie dough, roll it into ropes and curve the ropes together into a rainbow. Bake the large rainbow and slice it into wedges, or make several smaller individual rainbows.

Prep: 20 minutes
Bake: 10-12 minutes
Yield: 8-12 wedges or 12-18 mini rainbow cookies

Ingredients

• Sugar cookie dough, store-bought or homemade
• Gel food coloring: red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple
• Flour for lightly dusting hands, optional
• Sprinkles, optional

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Divide the sugar cookie dough into 6 equal portions.
3. Tint each portion a different rainbow color and gently knead until the color is evenly distributed.
4. Roll each colored portion into a long rope of approximately the same thickness.
5. Arrange the ropes side by side in rainbow order, gently pressing the edges together.
6. Curve the dough into a rainbow arch. You can also make several smaller individual rainbows instead of one large cookie.
7. Add sprinkles before baking, if desired.
8. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just beginning to turn golden.
9. Cool for about 5 minutes. If making one large rainbow, slice it into wedges while still slightly warm, then allow the cookies to cool completely.