Trusted Local News

Kid-Friendly Sushi Recipes for Fun Family Dinners

  • News from our partners

Sushi might seem like a sophisticated dish best left to restaurants but preparing it at home can be a fun and interactive family activity, especially when tailored for kids. With some creativity, the right ingredients like sushi seaweed sheets, and a relaxed approach, sushi transforms from raw fish delicacies into delicious, healthy, and hands-on meals that children will enjoy rolling up themselves.

Why Sushi is a Great Family Meal

Sushi-making at home isn’t just about food - it’s an experience. Here's why it works so well for families with kids:

Interactive and Engaging: Rolling sushi is like playing with food, kids love getting their hands involved.

Customizable: Each roll can be personalized, allowing kids to choose their own fillings.

Nutritious: When made with wholesome ingredients like fresh vegetables, lean proteins, and seasoned rice, sushi can be a healthy meal option.

No Cooking Required: Many recipes require little to no stovetop time, making it a low-stress option for busy parents.

What You’ll Need to Get Started

Before diving into recipes, here’s a basic list of tools and ingredients to have on hand.

Tools:

  • Bamboo sushi rolling mat (or a clean kitchen towel)
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Small bowls for ingredients
  • Plastic wrap (optional for easier rolling)

Core Ingredients:

Sushi rice (short-grain white rice works best)

Rice vinegar, sugar, and salt (to season the rice)

Fillings: Cooked proteins (e.g., chicken, shrimp, egg), fresh veggies (e.g., cucumber, avocado, carrots), fruit (e.g., mango, strawberries)

Wrappers: Consider using thin omelets, rice paper, or soy wraps for rolling

How to Make Sushi Rice

Perfect sushi starts with properly prepared rice. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups short-grain white rice
  • 2 ½ cups water
  • ¼ cup rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions:

Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear.

Combine rice and water in a pot, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Let it sit for 10 minutes off the heat.

In a small bowl, mix vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved. Gently fold this mixture into the warm rice with a spatula or wooden spoon.

Let the rice cool to room temperature before using.

Tips for Making Sushi with Kids

Prep Ahead: Slice all the fillings and have everything in small bowls before you start.

Go Cooked, Not Raw: Use cooked or canned proteins like rotisserie chicken, scrambled eggs, or even turkey slices.

Keep It Simple: Start with basic rolls using only 2–3 ingredients.

Let Them Customize: Set up a “sushi station” so kids can pick their own fillings.

Roll Without Pressure: Don’t stress about making perfect rolls - messy sushi is still tasty!

5 Kid-Friendly Sushi Recipes

Chicken & Avocado Sushi Rolls

Ingredients:

Cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie works well)

Sliced avocado

Cooked sushi rice

Soy or seaweed wraps or rice paper

Instructions:

Lay the wrapper flat on your bamboo mat or kitchen towel.

Spread a thin layer of rice, leaving a 1-inch border.

Add chicken and avocado slices.

Roll tightly, slice into bite-sized pieces, and serve with a small bowl of teriyaki or soy sauce (low sodium).

PB&J Sweet Sushi Rolls

Ingredients:

White sandwich bread (crusts removed)

Peanut butter or almond butter

Jam or fruit preserves

Strawberries or banana slices

Instructions:

Flatten each slice of bread with a rolling pin.

Spread with peanut butter and jam, then place fruit slices along one edge.

Roll tightly, then slice into pinwheels.

Optional: Sprinkle with cinnamon or drizzle with honey.

Perfect for lunchboxes or as a dessert sushi!

Egg Roll Sushi (Tamago-Style Rolls)

Ingredients:

Thin omelet (1–2 eggs, beaten and cooked flat in a nonstick pan)

Cooked rice

Shredded carrots

Cooked ham or turkey strips

Instructions:

Place the omelet on a rolling mat.

Spread rice evenly over the surface.

Add ham and carrots across the center.

Roll gently and slice. Secure with toothpicks if needed.

This roll is protein-packed and great for breakfast or lunch!

Fruit Sushi with Coconut Rice

Ingredients:

Sweetened coconut sticky rice (cook sushi rice with coconut milk and a little sugar)

Sliced mango, kiwi, strawberries, or blueberries

Honey or agave for drizzle

Instructions:

Spread cooled coconut rice onto plastic wrap in a rectangular shape.

Line fruit slices across the center and roll using the plastic wrap.

Slice into bite-sized pieces and drizzle with honey.

A fun and healthy dessert alternative!

Mini Sushi Burritos

Ingredients:

Cooked rice

Grilled chicken or tofu

Shredded lettuce

Cream cheese or hummus

Cucumber sticks

Instructions:

Use a large rice paper wrapper or soy wrap.

Layer rice, protein, veggies, and spread.

Roll into a burrito shape and slice in half.

Great for little hands and can be made ahead for on-the-go meals.

Fun Add-Ons and Dipping Sauces

Add variety and extra flavor with these simple sides and sauces:

  • Low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
  • Teriyaki dipping sauce
  • Cream cheese mixed with a little honey for fruit sushi
  • Hummus or ranch for veggie rolls
  • Pickled ginger (for adventurous eaters)
  • Sesame seeds or crushed pretzels for topping

Making It a Sushi Night to Remember

Turn your sushi night into a full-blown family event:

Sushi Bar at Home: Set up a station with rice, fillings, and wrappers so everyone can create their own rolls.

Themed Dinner: Combine sushi night with a cultural theme—play music, learn a few Japanese words, or draw sushi-themed art.

Sushi Competitions: Have a friendly contest to see who makes the most creative or colorful roll.

Family Fun

Making sushi at home with kids isn’t about culinary perfection - it’s about bonding, creativity, and having fun with food. Whether you're rolling up classic savory bites or playful sweet treats, these kid-friendly sushi recipes are a great way to mix up your dinner routine and get the whole family excited about healthy eating.

So grab your ingredients, roll out the mats, and dive into a sushi night that’s as fun as it is flavorful!

author

Chris Bates

MORE NEWS STORIES


Monday, July 28, 2025
STEWARTVILLE

MOST POPULAR

Local News to Your inbox
Enter your email address below

Events

July

S M T W T F S
29 30 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31 1 2

To Submit an Event Sign in first

Today's Events

No calendar events have been scheduled for today.