Creating a great dining experience for pediatric patients goes far beyond nutrition—it’s about delivering comfort, joy, and just a little bit of magic. Whether they’re toddlers with tiny appetites or teens with big opinions, every child deserves food that feels made just for them. This new pediatric menu package was designed to meet kids where they are: playful, imaginative, and full of curiosity. With fun food shapes, bright colors, and age-appropriate choices, we’re not just serving meals—we’re creating moments. From themed menus and special snacks to cheerful uniforms and colorful packaging, every detail was crafted to turn hospital food into something that puts smiles on the faces of our smallest patients.
DID YOU KNOW?
NOURISHING EVERY AGE, EVERY STAGE
Teens aged 13 to 18 make up 54% of pediatric patients. That’s why this program focuses on more than just kids’ meals—it’s built to grow with them, offering real options that feel right for every age.
COMFORT FOOD REIGNS
Mac & cheese, chicken tenders, fries, pancakes, and grilled cheese top the list across pediatric units. Familiar, flavorful, and always a win, these favorites deliver each and every time.
MAKE MEALTIME FUN
Kids eat up to 40% more when meals are interactive, especially during times of stress or illness. A little fun can make a big impact.
THE MENUS
WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?
It’s easy to think of food as a basic need, but in a hospital—especially for kids—it becomes so much more. It’s comfort. It’s distraction. And it’s often one of the only things a child gets to choose for themselves during their stay.
That’s why this pediatric program goes beyond nutrition. From colorful menus and snack carts to surprise visits and themed treats, every element was designed to help kids feel a little more like kids— even in a clinical setting.
We know that healing isn’t just physical. When we serve with joy, empathy, and imagination, we help create positive experiences that stick with patients and families long after they leave. It’s not about adding extra steps—it’s about adding extra meaning.
THINK LIKE A CHILD
We can’t serve kids with an adult mindset. Pediatric patients aren’t just small adults— they have unique fears, joys, and perspectives. Thinking like a child means seeing food through their eyes: Is it fun? Is it familiar? Is it comforting?
It’s also about recognizing their developmental needs. A 3-year-old and a 13-year-old are worlds apart, and their food experiences should reflect that. When we pause to consider what excites, calms, or encourages a child, we start building menus, moments, and memories that truly support healing.
This program invites us to reimagine meals as playful, sensory experiences—not just delivery of calories, but delivery of care.
T A LK LIKE A CAREGIVER
Words matter—especially to kids. Every interaction is a chance to reassure, connect, and create joy. That starts with how we talk about food, our team, and the experience.
It’s no longer just “tray line” or “diet orders,” it’s “dining,” “delivery moments,” and “personal touches.” And it’s not just what we say to our guests, but what we say to each other. When we refer to patients by name, celebrate special moments, or share success stories across teams, we build a culture of care that extends beyond the plate.
The way we talk shapes the way we serve. Let’s use our language to build trust, spark curiosity, and deliver kindness.
A CT LIKE IT MATTERS ... BECAUSE IT DOES
Every detail counts: a warm cookie on a hard day, a superhero apron on a themed visit, a surprise tray on someone’s birthday. These aren’t extras—they’re part of the healing process. Acting with intention doesn’t require big budgets or grand gestures. It’s about consistency, creativity, and care. It’s putting in the effort to make a child smile—and realizing that smile is part of their recovery. When we act like it matters, kids believe us. Families believe us. And healing feels possible.
THE MENUS
AGE-BASED MENUS
Choosing the right menu starts with understanding your patient population. This pediatric program includes three age-specific menus—one for ages 1 through 5, one for ages 6 through 11, and one for ages 12 through 18—designed to meet the unique needs of kids at different developmental stages. Each menu reflects the tastes, textures, and presentation styles that resonate with its age group, from playful shapes and finger foods for toddlers to bold, customizable options for teens.
Some dishes—like the pasta shown below—use progression recipes, with small adjustments to portion, ingredients, or plating to fit each age range.
AGES 1-5
AGES 1-5
AGES 6-11
SIMPLE, PLAYFUL, EASY TO EAT
This menu is built for early eaters who love colorful, familiar foods and meals they can enjoy with their hands. Fingerfriendly options like grilled cheese strips with goldfish crackers in soup and peanut butter banana roll-ups cut into bite-sized pieces make eating feel fun and easy. Even comfort foods like roasted turkey are served in small, manageable portions. Playful presentations—like pancakes shaped like a teddy bear—add a sense of delight and help turn mealtime into a positive, engaging experience.
THE MENUS
AGES 6-11
AGES 12-18
FAMILIAR FAVORITES WITH A FUN TWIST
This age group has outgrown toddler-style meals but still prefers familiar flavors presented in creative, kid-friendly ways. Grilled cheese is still a go-to, but is now served as a traditional sandwich, and peanut butter and jelly gets a fun upgrade rolled into sushi-style bites. Pulled pork is on the menu, but often served deconstructed rather than in a sandwich. Dishes like the roasted turkey and mashed potato bowl are a hit—this group doesn’t mind their food touching and often enjoys getting all the flavors in one bite. The menu strikes a balance between playful and practical, offering a variety of textures, colors, and choices that feel just right for kids who are growing into more adventurous eaters.
BOLD, FAMILIAR, AND JUST RIGHT
These teens don’t want kid food—and they definitely don’t want their pancakes shaped like animals. They’re looking for that feel familiar, fresh, and a little more grown-up. Think chicken Caesar salads, slider sandwiches, global-inspired bowls, and yes, Uncrustables still make the cut. These menus reflect what teens are actually eating at home, school, and even at fastcasual spots, because when the food feels right, they’re more likely to eat it.
LEARN MORE
Your site may only need a single pediatric menu to serve your entire patient mix, or you may choose to offer the full trio to create a more personalized experience. All menu versions are available in both bedside and room service models. Everything is accessible through MenuWorks and can be tailored to your site’s preferences.
THE FOOD
SIGNATURE MENU ITEMS
These are the go-to dishes that bring the pediatric menu to life. Each one was thoughtfully chosen to match what kids actually want to eat—balanced, familiar, and full of flavor. From breakfast favorites to craveable mains, these items help create a fun, satisfying experience for every age group.
BREAKFAST A LA CARTE
BREAKFAST FEATURES
bacon
cap’n crunch french toast
french toast sticks
grits
hash brown patty
purrr-fect oatmeal
sausage link
silver dollar pancakes
tater tots
unicorn parfait
BAKERY
banana muffin
blueberry muffin
cantaloupe
breakfast quesadilla
cheesy hashbrown casserole
cheesy tater & egg bowl
classic american breakfast
continental breakfast
fruit & yogurt crunch
ham & cheese egg bite
mini chicken biscuits
nutella french toast sticks
teddy bear pancakes
chocolate chip muffin
seasonal fruit
strawberries
THE FOOD
SIGNATURE MENU ITEMS
SOUP & SALAD
chicken caesar
crispy chicken salad
crunchy veggies w/ ranch
fresh fruit w/ yogurt dip
homestyle chicken noodle soup
hummus & pita plate
tomato soup
HANDHELDS
banana nutella sandwich
buffalo chicken wrap
ham & cheese sammies
peanut butter & jelly roll-ups
turkey & cheese roll-ups
ENTRÉES
bbq chicken tenders
cheeseburger taco
cheese quesadilla
MUNCHIES
animal crackers
cheez-its
goldfish
popcorn
strawberry go-gurt
string cheese
teddy grahams
cheesy dippers w/ marinara
chicken taquitos
classic comfort plate
crispy chicken nuggets & tots
dino nuggets
grilled cheese & tomato soup
mac & cheese bites
pasta & meatballs
ramen noodle bowl
turkey & mashed potatoes
DESSERTS
brownie bites
chocolate dirt w/ worms
cookies & milk
dole whip
fruity pebbles rice krispies treat
milkshakes
teddy bear s’mores cupcake
NAME BRANDS. BIG SMILES.
Recognizable brands like Go-Gurt, Uncrustables, Goldfish, and Dole Whip go a long way in building trust with patients—and boosting menu excitement.
MENU ENGINEERING
Designed to enhance the pediatric patient experience while streamlining production, the new core menus cover the top 17 diets with a special focus on the three key age groups: 1 to 5, 6 to 11, and 12 to 18. In short—they’re ready to roll. Additional menu development is only needed if your site requires extra cycles to support a unique diet. Keep an eye out for upcoming seasonal specials to add variety, and check out the Menu Mastering Guide for regional favorites.
VIRTUAL MENU
Making decisions for your menu just got easier! The virtual menu tool is a great way to view all of the available options, allowing you to easily select the menu items that best suit your patient demographic.
DIVE INTO THE VIRTUAL MENU!
THE FOOD
PEDIATRIC MENU TOOL
Creating your pediatric menu is simple and flexible thanks to the Patient Menu Tool. Whether you’re serving toddlers, school-age kids, or teens, the tool makes it easy to build your menus. The menu mastering index tab offers a diverse selection of trendy, seasonal, and comforting flavors tailored to patient preferences.
1 Explore the pediatric menu options.
2 Make your account specific adjustments in the pediatric menu tool.
3 Update your menu cycle in MenuWorks, and submit to FSR for printing.
READY TO DIVE IN?
SCAN HERE TO LEARN HOW TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR MENU.
THE PACKAGE
MENU AESTHETICS
MENUS THAT SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE
Just like the food itself, the look and feel of the menu should meet kids where they are. That’s why each age group has its own set of thoughtfully designed menu aesthetics—tailored to reflect their interests, abilities, and sense of fun. The goal is simple: make menus that kids actually want to interact with.
AGES 1-5
Designed with our youngest eaters in mind, this menu relies heavily on pictures so kids who can’t yet read can point to what they want. The layout is simple, colorful, and fun—perfect for encouraging choice and excitement at mealtime.
LITTLE EXPLORERS MENU MINI MUNCHERS MENU
Bedside Room Service
THE PACKAGE AGES 6-11
This age group is all about imagination and adventure. The space and superhero themes help make the menu feel like part of the fun, while still offering clear, age-appropriate options that feel just right for this in-between stage.
OUT OF THIS WORLD MENU SUPERHERO MENU
THE PACKAGE
AGES 12-18
Teens want menus that don’t feel like they were made for little kids, and these two designs deliver. With bold, pop art vibes and gamer-inspired graphics, these menus match their interests and help them take ownership of their food choices in a way that feels relevant and age-appropriate.
Bedside Room Service
GAMER GRUBS MENU MENULICIOUS MENU GAMER GRUBS
THE PACKAGE
CHINA + SMALLWARES
Utilize the patient smallwares ordering guide on MyCompass for current offerings and spec information.
Presentation matters, and you never get a second chance to make a first impression. A great plate presentation can be just the thing to brighten a patient’s day. From plate to plate, our dishes should be consistent in presentation and flavor in order to deliver an amazing and repeatable experience. Every dish, every detail, every meal matters.
In pediatric dining, how you show up matters just as much as what’s on the tray. That’s why our uniform strategy includes two key layers: at the foundation are bright, everyday aprons for consistent cheer, and a collection of specialty aprons for patient visits, programming, and special events take it up a notch and leave a lasting impression. These aprons turn ordinary meal delivery into a moment of connection. Whether it’s a Cookie Monster apron for Milk & Cookie Day or a Ratatouille look for a Teaching Kitchen demo, each uniform element is designed to create smiles and spark imagination.
EVERYDAY APRONS
CHEFWORKS
SPECIALITY APRONS & ACCESSORIES
Ready to order? Scan the code and select the pediatric category from the dropdown to view aprons and place your order.
MAKE IT MEANINGFUL
These aprons are more than dress-up— they’re part of your care strategy:
• Use them to engage children who aren’t eating or need encouragement
• Coordinate with nursing or child life teams for themed visits
At the heart of the pediatric experience is one simple goal: spark joy. And our new branding delivers.
Centered around the cheerful tagline “Spreading Smiles One Meal at a Time,” the brand features a colorful cast of characters known as “The Fun Guys”. Each one has a personality, a story, and something they’re working through—just like the children we serve. Some are feeling brave, some are a little nervous, and others just want to play.
Together, they help kids feel seen, supported, and a little more at home, turning every tray delivery into a moment of connection.
Our brand isn’t just a logo—it’s a feeling. It’s a smile at the door, a spark of joy in a hospital room, and a reminder that every day has the potential to hold a little magic.
SWAG
PINS, STICKERS, & TATTOOS
Let kids collect their favorites or earn them through special meals and moments.
T-SHIRTS & TOTES
Have team members wear fun shirts for events or themed visits to help kids connect and feel at ease, or purchase as giveaways at special events. Youth
PATIENT CART DECALS
Add bright, engaging visuals to your carts to build curiosity and excitement as food arrives.
COMPLETE THE ORDER FORM HERE TO GET STARTED!
THE EXPERIENCE
SNACK & CELEBRATION CARTS
When the food comes to them, the whole experience changes. Our snack and celebration carts are designed to move—rolling through hospital rooms and hallways with color, energy, and something special just for the kids. Whether it’s a hot cocoa cart on a chilly day or a build-yourown cupcake bar, these carts bring the joy right to the floor. They turn everyday snacks into memorable moments—and birthdays into full-blown celebrations.
DID YOU KNOW?
Keep a helium tank in the office so you can always have balloons!
These carts aren’t just for kids. Use them in the retail café for pop-up treats, at nurse appreciation events, or to celebrate team wins. A fun cart setup works anywhere you want to bring energy, gratitude, or just a little delight.
THE EXPERIENCE
SNACK SQUAD
This energetic team transforms everyday snacks into unforgettable experiences. Outfitted with branded aprons, headbands, wristbands, and signature hawker trays, the Snack Squad delivers fun on the move—bringing mini treats directly to patients, families, and staff.
Inspired by old-school ballpark vendors, the Snack Squad moves room-to-room or cruises through waiting areas handing out popcorn, donut bites, popsicles, and more. Whether it’s for a movie night, celebration, or just because, they turn a simple snack moment into a full-on event.
And with eye-catching Snack Squad gear, your team becomes instantly recognizable, approachable, and totally on-brand.
THE EXPERIENCE
SURPRISE & DELIGHT
SMALL GESTURES, BIG IMPACT.
Sometimes, it’s the little things that mean the most. A warm cookie, a sticker from a friendly face, a snack cart that rolls in with music and a smile ... these surprise moments create joy, comfort, and connection, and they often become a child’s favorite part of the day.
The pediatric program includes flexible tools to help your team deliver these moments effortlessly, whether it’s planned or spur-of-the-moment.
FEEL BETTER COOKIES
LEAVE BEHIND TRAY CARDS
to brighten a room even after the tray is picked up
BADGES
that let kids feel seen and celebrated
THE EXPERIENCE
MAKING IT MEMORABLE
TURNING MOMENTS INTO MAGIC
Every pediatric patient deserves more than just great food—they deserve moments to look forward to. That’s where the event calendar and retail LTOs come in. These tools help bring consistency, joy, and energy to the hospital experience—whether you’re serving a tray upstairs or running the café downstairs.
RETAIL LTO s
Bring the fun into retail to create buzz throughout the hospital.
WHY RETAIL?
In children’s hospitals, families and siblings are part of the journey too. Retail events extend the joy beyond the patient room, helping the entire hospital feel more playful, connected, and aligned with the pediatric mission.
EVENT CALENDAR
The calendar includes a mix of seasonal events, national food days, and original theme day ideas designed to spark fun across both patient areas and retail spaces. Use it to plan:
• Snack cart celebrations and themed Teaching Kitchen demos
• Surprise & Delight activations for kids and families
• Retail café events that match the pediatric energy
Hammie Sammies
Happy pizza bagels
THE EXPERIENCE
THEME DAYS
From Super Mario snacks to Grinch Day pancakes, theme days bring energy, laughter, and a little something to look forward to. These fun moments help kids feel like kids—even in a hospital setting.
Whether you’re decking out the snack cart, dressing up in costume, or serving up themed meals in retail, these days create a sense of celebration that lifts everyone’s spirits. And the best part? They’re simple to execute with a little creativity and a lot of heart.
TURN IDEAS INTO IMPACT
Use the event calendar to plan theme days throughout the year. Some are silly, some are seasonal, but all are designed to spark joy.
THEMES INCLUDE:
• Winter Wonderland
• Zoo Day
• Super Mario
• Space
• May the 4th Be With You
• Dinosour
• Under the Sea
• Build a Sand Castle
• Pumpkin Harvest
• Grinch
THE EXPERIENCE
TEACHING KITCHEN
Cooking is more than a life skill—it’s a confidence builder, a creative outlet, and a hands-on way for kids to connect with food. Our Teaching Kitchen experience turns a hospital room or unit space into an interactive classroom where patients can play, learn, and explore in a safe, supportive environment.
This activation is all about doing it right. That means using the full branded setup, assembling the boxes completely, and including every item that brings the experience to life. When done well, it becomes a moment children and families remember long after the meal.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX?
Each box should be fully assembled for the event and include:
• child-size chef hat
• child-size apron
• kid appropriate cooking utensils
• all activity contents
THE EXPERIENCE
EQUIPMENT
These small but mighty tools are the secret sauce behind so many pediatric experience moments. From movie-night popcorn to frozen treats on hot summer days, each piece of equipment helps transform a regular snack into something magical. Use them consistently and creatively to bring energy and surprise to the floors. Don’t just plug them in—make them part of the story.
POPCORN MACHINE
Perfect for movie nights, celebration carts, or just because. The smell alone draws a crowd, and kids love getting a warm bag from the cart or Snack Squad.
SHAVED ICE MACHINE
Cool, colorful, and endlessly customizable, the shaved ice machine creates various textures of ice cream like snow, spaghetti, and waterfall. Add syrups that match your theme day or let kids pick their own flavors.
SMILEY FACE BRANDING IRON
Turn pancakes, grilled cheese, or cookies into mood-lifting masterpieces. It’s a small touch that makes a big impression.
POPSICLE MAKER
Freezes up to 40 pops in 30 minutes—perfect for sampling during expos or prepping ahead for a full cart run. Take your popsicles up a notch with our Pop Pals brand, included in both packages.
LOOKING TO TAKE YOUR POPSICLES ON THE MOVE? Check out this mobile popsicle cart and start delivering smiles today!
THE DETAILS
TIMELINES + KEY PLAYERS
Bringing this program to life is all about partnership. Success depends not just on launching great menus, but on creating excitement, building trust with your nursing teams, and getting everyone aligned around the experience we want to deliver. Every account is a little different, but on average, you can expect about three months from kickoff to go-live.
MAKE REGIONAL ADJUSTMENTS TO MENU AND COMPLETE DIET CROSSWALK*
PRESENT NEW MENU AND AESTHETICS TO HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION FOR APPROVAL
REVIEW DIGITAL ORDERING SCREENS AND TEST PRINT TRAY TICKETS
ALL HANDS ON DECK TO ENSURE SMOOTH TRANSITION!
ENSURE TEAM IS UTILIZING NEW MENU TOOLS AND RESOURCES
GET FEEDBACK, DISCUSS OPPORTUNITIES, CELEBRATE SUCCESS
Work with your RDO to build a presentation that gets hospital leadership on board. Once you have the green light, the real fun begins! Use your retail space as a training ground—test out new recipes, give your team hands-on practice, and get your retail manager involved early. They’ll be key in building buzz and driving excitement around the upcoming changes.
Training on plate presentation just got easier! Scan to view or download WRLL build cards
CULINARY
TRAINING
Set your team up for success with a mix of classroom training and hands-on practice. Once they have the skills down, put them in action and show them off at the patient expo—it’s a great way to boost confidence, drive engagement, and build lasting buy-in.
CLASSROOM
Introduction to the Menu
Kick things off with the new menu presentation—review the philosophy, highlight key dishes, and map out the 30-day launch plan.
PLATING
What Right Looks Like (WRLL) Execution
Team members put their skills into action—prepping, plating, and refining dishes with Chef to ensure everything looks and tastes spot on.
HANDS-ON
Station Specific Training
Chef introduces & cooks each recipe with culinary teams. Schedule trainings by station (bakery, cold prep, hot production, garde manger, etc).
EXPO
Prepare Food | Plate | Host
Culinary staff help cook and plate dishes for the expo—plus, they’ll be there to share insights and answer questions.
THE DETAILS
PEDIATRIC EXPO
Pediatric expos are the perfect playground for our teams to learn and have fun while giving hospital leaders and nurses a sneak peek at our exciting new patient menu. It’s all about making menu education fun and empowering nurses to join in on the holistic care of food and nutrition.
HOW TO HOST
Before any planning can begin, work collaboratively with hospital administration on the details and in selecting a date. The goals of the event are not only to present the new menu items, but also to discuss the updates, taste the food, answer questions, and explain everyone’s roles in making this program top-notch for our patients!
get organized prepare education make sure everyone can attend HYPE it up!
LEVEL UP ENGAGEMENT
Rolling out a new menu is more than just flipping a switch—it’s about building momentum, getting buy-in, and bringing the whole team along for the ride. Whether it’s tasting new dishes, sharing feedback, or celebrating what makes your team shine, these engagement strategies help create excitement and alignment across the board.
TEAM TASTING
Host a tasting event and let your team help shape the final menu. It’s a great way to build energy, get input, and make sure everyone feels like part of the process from the start.
POWER PLATES
Power Plates are a simple, highimpact way to share what’s new with frontline staff, nursing teams, and leadership—plus they keep the whole hospital in the loop.
GET THE KIDS INVOLVED
Let kids be part of the fun! From voting on favorite meals to helping with theme day ideas and creating café artwork, involving patients builds excitement and gives them a sense of ownership in their dining experience.
joy to the kids.
HOSPITAL COMMITTEES
Hospital committees focused on patient experience or family engagement are key allies. Loop them in early—they can help drive adoption and build excitement across departments.
DR. LOUNGE / EXECUTIVE LUNCHEON
Feature new menu items and LTOs in the doctors’ lounge or at a leadership luncheon. It’s a great opportunity to build support, show off your team’s talent, and position food as a key part of the care experience.
The prom committee at Nemours Children’s Health helped make magic happen by approving extra equipment to spread even more
THE TOOL
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Let’s clear a few things up so you can dig into the details!
What’s different about this menu from previous menus?
Menus are now tailored by age group, with food and presentation styles that grow with kids’ changing tastes and preferences. Each version also features updated designs that feel just right for each age range.
How do I start implementing the new menu?
Start by selecting the age group(s) that fit your patient population. Then use the menu tool to build your customized menu. Once that’s set, choose the aesthetic that brings it all to life.
Success takes a team effort! From your RDO, Director, Culinary, and Clinical Nutrition teams to Patient Solutions and even your Retail Manager—everyone has a role to play in bringing the new menu to life. Who should be involved in the new menu implementation?
How long does a typical menu implementation take?
Timelines vary from account to account, but in most cases the average implementation time is three months. One of the biggest factors is technology.
All recipes and products have been thoroughly vetted to ensure quality and consistency. Use the menu tool to tailor the menu to your account’s specific preferences while staying within the approved framework.
Are we allowed to make changes to the recipes or product specifications for items on the new menu?
What about jello and other classics?
Not all menu items will be on the printed menu. These items are built into the always available cycle in MenuWorks.
ESSENTIALS CHECKLIST
1 2 3
4
5 6 7
8 9
10
Are you using one of the six new menu templates?
Do the patient meal trays look like the WRLL build cards?
Are you using china from the approved smallwares guide?
Are you utilizing the menu engineering tool to customize your menu?
Have you updated your digital recipe books / production sheets?
Have you pulled an Allergen Report from Webtrition and updated your forecasting?
Are you using taste/temperature logs for every meal period?
Are you actively using the pediatric experience elements—like snack carts, hawker trays, and surprise & delight moments—in your daily operations?
Have you hosted a Patient Expo? Are your hospital’s nurses engaged?
Have you launched the event calendar and built a plan to bring it to life each month with themed experiences?
ESSENTIALS CHECKLIST
1 2 3
4
5
6 7
8
9
Are you using one of the six new menu templates? 10
Do the patient meal trays look like the WRLL build cards?
Are you using china from the approved smallwares guide?
Are you utilizing the menu engineering tool to customize your menu?
Have you updated your digital recipe books / production sheets?
Have you pulled an Allergen Report from Webtrition and updated your forecasting?
Are you using taste/temperature logs for every meal period?
Are you actively using the pediatric experience elements—like snack carts, hawker trays, and surprise & delight moments—in your daily operations?
Have you hosted a Patient Expo? Are your hospital’s nurses engaged?
Have you launched the event calendar and built a plan to bring it to life each month with themed experiences?
