• Break away from your normal dinner routine.Dinner image by tgdusty from Fotolia.com
  
  While dinner is a daily necessity, you don't have to fall back on the same tired meal options day after day. With a little ingenuity and flexibility, you can craft unusual dinners that will fill your family member's bellies without boring them to tears. As you plan your weekly menu, step away from the old favorites and integrate some creativity into your meal planning process.
  
  

Breakfast for Dinner

• Many on-the-go families fail to sit down to warm breakfasts together in the morning. Just because your family is too busy to enjoy tasty breakfast foods in the morning doesn't mean you can't join together over a plate of hot cakes or eggs. Mix up your dinner routine by preparing a hearty breakfast in place of your evening meal. Prepare omelets, waffles, french toast, bacon, or any assortment of breakfast foods for your evening meal.
  
  

Craft Your Own Pizza

• Give all of your family members exactly what they want with a "craft your own" pizza dinner. To prepare for this interactive dinner, gather an assortment of pizza topping options. Place each pizza topping in a small prep bowl, and lay your bowls out on the counter. Purchase pizza dough or prepare your own. Allow family members to roll out their dough and top it with sauce before adding their favorite toppings. Share pizzas with each other, allowing family members to sample and critique the creations of others.
  
  If planning this dinner option for a busy night, forgo the creation of pizza dough and purchase personal sized cheese pizzas to use as a ready-to-go base for your toppings.
  
  

Appetizer Meal

• Create a tasty meal free of a main course by preparing an appetizer meal. Instead of making a main dish along with side dishes, create an assortment of small appetizers for your family members to select from. Prepare cut veggies, fruits and dips along with canapes, finger sandwiches and bite-sized wraps. Lay all of your appetizing options out on the table and allow your family to pick and choose their favorites. This type of meal is particularly appropriate if you and your family intend to view a sporting event or movie during dinner time as it allows for easy away-from-the-table eating.