Weekly Menu Board Ideas for Easy Meal Planning with a Large Family

Plan Your Family Meals for the Week with a Handy Menu Board

When you have a big family to feed, planning out your weekly meals is crucial. It helps make grocery shopping and cooking much easier when you have a clear plan in place. A menu board is the perfect solution to map out what your family will be eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner all week long.

Benefits of Using a Weekly Menu Board

Having a menu board displayed prominently in your kitchen has many advantages for large families:

• It allows you to plan ahead and ensures you have all necessary ingredients on hand.
• You can coordinate dishes to use up leftovers and reduce food waste.
• It saves time and stress when you're not scrambling to figure out meals last minute.
• Family members can see what's planned and get excited about upcoming meals.
• You can balance nutrition and make sure to include variety throughout the week.
• Grocery shopping is faster and more efficient when you have a list based on planned meals.
• It helps keep your food budget on track when you plan meals around what's on sale.

Setting Up Your Menu Board

You can buy a ready-made menu board like a chalkboard or whiteboard. Or you can easily make your own menu board at home. Here are some ideas:

• Use a large poster board and decorative paper to make a customized bulletin board.
• Paint a wall with chalkboard paint and display your weekly menu there.
• Hang up several frames with writable surfaces to create a larger menu display.
• Glue vinyl sheets or burlap onto a board for a rustic look.
• Invest in a dry erase calendar board that has a section for menu planning.

Place your DIY or purchased menu board in a high-traffic area like the kitchen or dining room. That way everyone can easily reference it.

Planning Your Weekly Menu

When it's time to plan out the upcoming week's meals, here are some tips:

• Browse cookbooks, websites and social media for recipe inspiration. Look for family-friendly, budget-conscious options.
• Take inventory of ingredients and leftovers you already have and plan recipes around those.
• Make sure to include all family members' favorite meals in moderation.
• Aim for balance and variety with different proteins, cuisines, veggies, etc.
• Consider your schedule - when will you have more or less time for cooking?
• Pencil in leftovers and easy meals for busy weeknights.
• Plan recipes that use similar ingredients to minimize waste.
• Factor in any dietary needs and pick recipes everyone can enjoy.

Filling Out Your Weekly Menu Board

Once you've decided on all your recipes, it's time to write them on your menu board display. Be sure to include:

• The day of the week across the top columns.
• Meals for each day - breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks.
• The name of the recipe for each meal.
• Important ingredients needed for each recipe.
• Who will be in charge of cooking each meal.
• Leftovers that will be used up.
• Fun notes and doodles to spice it up!

Leave some open space in case of changes. Use different colored markers to make it more visually appealing. Place your grocery list right next to the board. And most importantly - make sure to take a picture of the finished board so you have it handy when out shopping!

Getting the Family Involved

Planning and prepping meals for a large household takes teamwork. Get everyone engaged by:

• Holding a family meal planning session where everyone can suggest favorite recipes.
• Assigning certain meals for each person to plan and cook.
• Having kids help select menus and do decorations on the board.
• Asking family members to contribute to grocery shopping lists.
• Encouraging kids to set and clear the table for meals they helped plan.

Kids are more likely to happily eat meals they helped choose and prepare. Displaying the weekly menu board also builds anticipation for upcoming family dinners.

Keep Family Meals Fun and Stress-Free

A weekly menu board is the perfect way to streamline planning for a large, busy household. With everyone's help, you can make food, prep and clean-up less of a chore. Most importantly, gathering for regular family dinners is an invaluable time to disconnect from devices and connect with each other.

FAQs

Where is the best place to display my weekly menu board?

The most visible place is often the kitchen, but anywhere high-traffic like the dining room works. You want it front and center so the whole family refers to it often.

What happens if we need to change the menu last minute?

Be flexible - leave some blank space on the board just in case. Or use erasable markers so you can easily modify as needed. Take a picture on your phone so you have the plan handy.

Should we plan out breakfasts and lunches too?

Yes, including all meals helps you shop and prep more efficiently. You can plan quick breakfasts like cereal, fruit and yogurt. Lunches can be leftovers, sandwiches, or soup.

How do I get my kids to help with menu planning and cooking?

Give them small jobs like choosing recipes, writing the board, and setting the table. Let them take turns picking meals and helping cook. Kids are more eager to eat food they help make.

What if someone complains about what's on the menu?

When everyone takes turns selecting meals, it teaches compromise. But try to include at least one dish each person likes every week. And have back-up simple meals on hand just in case.