Kid-friendly Filipino recipes 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳
Family Fun in the Kitchen – Filipino Classics Your Kids Will Love!
If you’re anything like me, finding ways to get the family together—away from screens—is a constant goal. Well, I’ve got a solution that’s fun, delicious, and packed with a bit of culture: cooking together! There’s something special about recreating those Filipino classics that we grew up with, and now it’s time to pass those dishes on to our kiddos. Plus, the kitchen is a perfect place to build lasting memories with our little ones while teaching them about our heritage.
Filipino Family Favorites 🍜🍢🍚
Here are some of my favorite kid-friendly Filipino recipes to try with your crew. They're simple, flavorful, and perfect for any night of the week. Plus, they’re super versatile, so feel free to add your own twists and make them your own!
Lumpia: These crispy spring rolls are an all-time favorite in our house! The kids love rolling them up, and you can fill them with veggies, ground meat, or even tofu. Try making a batch and freezing some for later—it’s a lifesaver on busy weeknights!
Silog: A classic Filipino breakfast that’s easy to prepare and even easier to love. Silog combines garlic fried rice (sinangag), eggs (itlog), and your choice of protein like tapa (beef), tocino (sweet pork), or longganisa (sausage). It’s a great way to start the day with a hearty, balanced meal!
Nilaga: This hearty beef and vegetable soup is comforting, simple, and a perfect way to get your kids to eat their greens! You can make it with beef shank or pork ribs and lots of veggies like cabbage, potatoes, and corn. Let your little ones help chop the vegetables or stir the broth—it’s a great way to get them involved.
Arroz Caldo: Chicken rice porridge that’s like a big warm hug in a bowl. It’s perfect for cold days or when someone’s feeling under the weather. My kids love garnishing theirs with crispy garlic, boiled eggs, and a squeeze of calamansi!
Puto: These little steamed rice cakes are sweet, fluffy, and perfect for merienda (snack time). You can even mix in cheese or salted eggs on top for an added twist. Plus, they're bite-sized, which makes them extra fun for kids.
Palitaw: Sticky, chewy, and coated in coconut and sugar—what’s not to love? Palitaw is a simple rice cake made with glutinous rice flour, and it’s a fun recipe to make with kids because they get to shape and press the dough before cooking.
Ginataang Mais: A creamy coconut milk-based dessert made with sticky rice and corn. It’s not too sweet, which makes it great for the whole family. It’s easy to throw together and perfect for dessert or even a snack.
Pansit: No Filipino celebration is complete without pansit! It’s a stir-fried noodle dish that’s loaded with veggies and your choice of meat or seafood. The best part? It’s quick, filling, and always a hit with the kids.
Halo-Halo: Let’s talk dessert! Halo-halo (which means “mix-mix”) is a refreshing, colorful Filipino shaved ice treat loaded with jellies, beans, fruits, and topped with leche flan or ube ice cream. It’s a fun build-your-own treat that your kids will love customizing.
A fun one that we did over the summer was Atchara. It was super easy and the kids got really into it. We made papaya atchara and ampalaya (bitter gourd) atcahara.
Get Creative and Make it Your Own! 🎨👩‍🍳👨‍🍳
Don’t be afraid to put your own spin on these classics! Add veggies your family loves to Nilaga, swap out ingredients in your Lumpia fillings, or try sprinkles on your puto. The kitchen is your playground, and there’s no better way to keep your kids engaged than letting them come up with their own little twists. Let them help with chopping, mixing, or rolling dough—these small tasks are not only fun but also teach life skills.
Family Bonding Through Food đź’–
Cooking together is more than just making meals—it’s an experience. It’s those moments of laughter when flour flies everywhere, or when your little one insists on adding extra cheese to their puto. These are the memories that stick with them (and us!) forever. Plus, food is a huge part of Filipino culture, so it’s a wonderful way to pass down traditions.
If you’re looking for more ways to bring family bonding into your home, check out our My Big Book of Filipino Food, where you’ll find fun, hands-on Filipino cooking activities perfect for family night. It's a great way to get everyone involved in the kitchen—and don’t worry, we’ve made it super easy for even the busiest of moms and dads!
Want More Filipino-Inspired Ideas? 🌟
We’ve got tons of cultural insights, family travel tips, and more recipes waiting for you over at the Campfire Crates Blog. Whether you’re looking to plan a Filipino-themed family night or just need ideas for your next family meal, you’ll find plenty of inspiration there!
Don’t forget to tag us on social if you make any of these dishes—we’d love to see your family’s creations! #CampfireCrates