Put away the meatloaf recipe and give dinner a fun spin tonight! With hectic schedules, sports practices, and after school activities, getting dinner together (let alone the entire family) can be quite the hassle, so it’s always fun to switch up the dinner routine – whether you go breakfast for dinner or try a new recipe, you might be creating your own family tradition.

For Colleen’s family, when her husband is out of town, she and the kids indulge in homemade waffles with ice cream on top, a fun tradition she did as a child when her dad was out of town that she now cherishes. Be the coolest mom on the block and whip up some spaghetti tacos from the hit Nickelodeon show iCarly, a simple recipe. Take it from Colleen – kids will think you are the best mom ever.

Try some of these other ideas to make for a fun dinner:

• Indoor picnic – Bring the picnic inside! Lay out a blanket on the floor or dinner table, have little sandwiches packed up for your kids to choose from. Have a deck of cards and play some games while eating.
• Breakfast for dinner – Serve up pancakes, french toast, omelets, and other breakfast goodies for a treat.
• Cheeseburger pie – A twist on two classic favorites! An ode to quiches, it’s tasty, easy to eat, and a fun food. Make individual pies for everyone! Try the recipe out here.
• Reverse dinner – Hold a “reverse dinner” one night – dessert first, then the main course!
• Fondue party – Grab some chocolate and cheese, and let your kids dip away with fruit, chicken, and more!

Does your family do anything special for fun dinner alternatives? Let us know in the comments below!