Best Family & Kids Meal Delivery Services of 2025
Fun, yummy & healthy meals for all ages

Finding the best meal delivery service for families can be a game-changer for your daily routine. Whether you're looking to save time on meal prep, eat healthier, or simply enjoy the convenience of having delicious meals delivered right to your door, we've got you covered.

Our comprehensive guide to the best family meal plans will help you find the perfect fit for your lifestyle and dietary needs. From the cheapest meal prep services to gourmet selections, there's something here for everyone. Even if you’re a stranger to the kitchen, you can throw together fantastic meals that’ll have you forgetting about pizza deliveries. It’s meal prep made easy.

What is a Meal Delivery Service?

A meal delivery service brings the convenience of pre-planned, pre-portioned, and sometimes pre-cooked meals directly to your home. The best meal service for families ensures that you can enjoy nutritious and delicious meals without the hassle of grocery shopping or meal prep.

While food delivery services offering pre-cooked food have been around for hundreds of years, meal kit services are a relatively new development that started in 2003 in Scandinavia and spread to the United States in 2012. These companies enjoyed a surge in popularity during the pandemic and have continued to be a popular choice for people who want to save time, try new recipes, and reduce food waste.

What Types of Meal Delivery Services Are There?

Meal kits

Best meal kits provide all the ingredients you need to cook a meal at home, along with easy-to-follow instructions. They’re perfect for those who enjoy cooking but prefer to skip meal planning and grocery shopping.

Fully prepared meals

Fully prepared meals are ready to eat with minimal heating required. These are ideal for busy individuals who want to enjoy a home-cooked meal without spending time in the kitchen.

Specialized dietary plans

Many meal services cater to specific nutritional needs, such as keto, vegan, paleo, high-protein, or anti-inflammatory. Most provide detailed ingredient lists and nutritional information online so you can easily check if a meal suits your dietary requirements.

Allergy-friendly meal options

Meal services know how important allergen-free products are to many consumers, such as people with celiac disease or nut allergies. Some companies also specially wrap their products to prevent cross-contamination.

Organic food and sustainable sourcing

Many meal subscription services proudly showcase their certified organic and sustainable options on their websites. These credentials may include USDA Organic certification, MSC-certified sustainable seafood, or B Corp certification.

Weight loss plans

If you’re looking for a strict diet meal plan, many health-focused meal services will send you dietitian-planned meals to enable you to eat healthier and lose weight. Healthy meal kits will help you to control your eating by planning meals ahead of time and learning new cooking techniques you can integrate into your daily life.

Family meal plan

Many meal delivery services feature family meals and “kid-friendly” recipes. Kid-friendly recipes are dishes your kids may recognize and are typically not spicy. These plans typically include meals designed for four people and often cost less per serving.

How Do family Meal Delivery Services Work?

Family meal delivery services simplify meal planning and preparation by delivering ready-to-cook or pre-prepared meals directly to your door. These services are designed to make it easier for families to enjoy nutritious meals together, without the hassle of planning and shopping. The process typically starts with signing up on a company’s website or mobile app. During registration, you may be prompted to answer questions about your family’s dietary preferences and restrictions, which helps the service personalize family meal plans that cater to your specific needs.

Once signed up, you can choose your meals from a weekly rotating menu. Many services offer best family meal plans that include a variety of meal options suitable for every member of the family. You can select portion sizes and the number of meals per week based on your individual or family meal plan needs. Healthy meal delivery for families generally emphasizes flexibility, allowing you to skip weeks or change meal choices as long as you do so by a specified deadline before the next delivery. This flexibility ensures that your family meal plan can adapt to your family's busy schedule, making it easier to maintain a healthy eating routine.

How to Choose the Right Family Meal Delivery Service for Your Needs?

Dietary preferences and restrictions

Choose a service that aligns with your dietary needs. Whether you need gluten-free, high-protein, or vegan options, the best family meal delivery service will accommodate your requirements.

Variety and flexibility

Look for services that offer a wide range of meal options and the flexibility to change your selections each week. This ensures you won’t get bored and can adjust based on your preferences.

Cost

Budget is a crucial factor. Consider whether you need the cheapest meal delivery service or if you’re willing to pay more for premium options. Compare the cost per meal to see what options fit your budget. For large families, finding the best meal delivery for family of 6 can ensure that everyone gets what they need without breaking the bank.

Customer support

Meal delivery companies offer customer support services like online assistants and agents who can be contacted by phone or email. Their websites often include features like FAQs, blogs, cooking tips, and nutrition advice. Look for a company that provides what you need, especially if you're ordering meal kits for kids.

Meal Delivery Glossary:

Pre-portioned ingredients (Meal kits)

Components of a meal that have been measured and cut to the exact amounts required for a recipe.

Fully prepared meals

Complete dishes that are cooked and assembled prior to delivery, requiring minimal to no preparation. They are delivered chilled or frozen to maintain quality and freshness.

Subscription service

A business model where customers pay a recurring fee to receive their meal service according to a pre-agreed schedule.

Dietary preferences

Requirements or choices that influence an individual's eating habits, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, keto, paleo, and other specialized diets.

Freshness guarantee

A commitment by meal delivery services to deliver ingredients at their peak freshness to maximize their flavor and nutritional value.

FAQs

Should I use a kid-friendly meal delivery service or order takeout food?

Kid-friendly meal delivery services offer the benefit of balanced nutrition and convenience, tailored to young palates, which is often more reliable than takeout.

What types of family meals can I expect from a family meal delivery service?

You can expect a wide variety of options that cater to different tastes and preferences, from classic comfort foods to more adventurous dishes, all designed with families in mind.

Are healthy meal delivery services suitable for people with medical conditions?

Yes, many healthy meal delivery services offer specialized menus that cater to various dietary restrictions and medical conditions.

Can I pause or cancel my family meal delivery subscription?

Yes, most services allow you to pause or cancel your subscription without penalty, provided you do so before the cutoff date for your next delivery.

Are family meal delivery services environmentally friendly?

Many family meal delivery services are committed to sustainability, using eco-friendly packaging and sourcing ingredients from responsible suppliers.