Children's Day Special: Fun, Quick Noodle Meals Kids Will Actually Love

Every year on 27 May, Nigeria celebrates Children's Day. Schools get the day off. There are parades, funfairs, and outings. Children get to be the center of everything for a full day, which is exactly how it should be.

And at the end of that day, after all the excitement and all the energy, they come home hungry.

If you are a parent, guardian, or anyone who has ever had a child look at you with those eyes and say "I want noodles," this blog is for you.

Noodles are the one meal that almost every Nigerian child will say yes to without argument. They are quick, they are warm, they are satisfying, and when you use Addme Noodlemate, they already have protein and vegetables inside. That means the child gets a proper meal and the parent gets peace of mind, in under 15 minutes.

This Children's Day, here are five fun noodle meals that kids will actually love, with simple steps any parent can follow even after a long day out at the funfair.

Why Nigerian Kids Love Noodles So Much

Ask any Nigerian child to name their favorite food and noodles will be near the top. Sometimes it is the top. The reasons are simple and make complete sense from a child's perspective.

It is fast. Children do not enjoy waiting for food. Noodles are ready in minutes. That alone is a point in its favor.

It is soft. Young children and toddlers can eat noodles easily without struggling. No tough pieces to chew through, no bones to navigate.

It is mild enough for picky eaters. Even children who refuse most foods will often accept noodles. The base flavor is familiar and not overwhelming.

It feels like a treat. Even though noodles are a quick weeknight meal, children treat it with the same excitement as something special. That is a valuable quality in any food.

It is easy to customize. An egg on top. A little extra vegetable. A different variant. Noodles adapt to whatever the child's mood is that day.

What Makes Addme Noodlemate the Right Choice for Children

Not all noodles are equal. A plain pack of instant noodles gives a child carbohydrates, sodium, and very little else. That is fine occasionally. But for a meal that is going to appear on the table regularly, parents reasonably want something better.

Every pack of Addme Noodlemate already contains real protein and dried vegetables. The protein is either chicken chunks or crayfish depending on the variant. The vegetables include carrots, spring onions, sweet corn, and green pepper flakes. These rehydrate during cooking and distribute throughout the bowl.

That means when a child picks up their fork and starts eating, they are getting protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables all in one bowl, without knowing or caring about any of that. They just know it tastes good.

The separate seasoning sachet also matters for children. Because the seasoning is packed separately, parents can add the full amount for older children with developed palates, or use a little less for younger children who prefer milder flavor. That flexibility is not available with most plain instant noodle packs where the seasoning is fixed.

Noodlemate comes in three variants. Here is which one works best for children at different ages and preferences.

• Noodlemate Chicken: The most universally liked by children. Savory, warm, mild-medium heat. Works for all ages from toddlers upward with a reduced seasoning amount for the youngest ones.
• Noodlemate Classic: Vegetable-forward with sweet corn and green pepper. The lightest of the three. Good for children who prefer milder flavor or who do not eat meat.
• Noodlemate Crayfish: The boldest flavor. Works well for older children who have grown up eating crayfish-seasoned food and enjoy the deeper, more traditional taste.

Read the full comparison: Noodlemate Classic vs Chicken vs Crayfish: Which Should You Buy?.

5 Fun Noodle Meals Kids Will Love This Children's Day

Each of these recipes uses Addme Noodlemate as the base. They are all ready in under 15 minutes. No complicated steps, no long ingredient lists.

Recipe 1: Noodles and Egg (The Classic Nigerian Kids Meal)  |  Ready in: 10 minutes  |  Serves: 1 child

This is the meal that Nigerian children have been requesting for decades. Warm noodles with a soft, golden fried egg on top. Simple, satisfying, and never refused.

What you need: 1 pack Addme Noodlemate Chicken, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, water.

Step 1: Boil a small pot of water until it reaches a full, rolling boil.

Step 2: Add the noodles. Wait one minute before stirring gently.

Step 3: Add the vegetable and chicken contents from the Noodlemate pack. Cook for two to three more minutes.

Step 4: Add the seasoning sachet. Use the full amount for older children or half for younger ones. Stir well. Remove from heat.

Step 5: In a small pan, heat the oil and fry the egg until the white is set and the yolk is still slightly soft on top. About two minutes on medium heat.

Step 6: Pour the noodles into a bowl and lay the fried egg on top.

Child-friendly tip: Cut the egg into pieces before giving it to younger children. The runny yolk mixes into the noodles and acts almost like a sauce.

Recipe 2: Cheesy Noodles With Sweet Corn  |  Ready in: 12 minutes  |  Serves: 1 to 2 children

Children love cheese. When it melts into hot noodles, it creates a creamy, clingy texture that most children find irresistible. The sweet corn already inside Noodlemate Classic adds natural sweetness that pairs perfectly with the mild cheese flavor.

What you need: 1 pack Addme Noodlemate Classic, 2 tablespoons grated cheese (any mild variety), water. Optional: a few extra fresh sweet corn kernels.

Step 1: Boil water and cook the Noodlemate as directed. Add the pack contents and seasoning.

Step 2: Drain most of the cooking liquid, leaving just a small amount at the bottom of the pot.

Step 3: While the noodles are still hot, sprinkle the grated cheese over them.

Step 4: Stir gently until the cheese melts into the noodles and coats every strand.

Step 5: Serve immediately while warm.

Child-friendly tip: Use a mild cheddar or any processed cheese that melts easily. Stronger or aged cheeses can be overpowering for young palates. The Classic variant works best here because its lighter flavor lets the cheese come through without competition.

Recipe 3: Noodle Omelette  |  Ready in: 15 minutes  |  Serves: 1 to 2 children

This one looks impressive and children love how different it feels from regular noodles. The noodles are cooked, mixed with beaten eggs, and pan-fried until set into a flat, golden omelette that can be cut into slices. It is fun, it is filling, and it is the kind of thing children brag about to their friends.

What you need: 1 pack Addme Noodlemate Chicken, 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, water. Optional: diced fresh tomatoes or a little sliced spring onion.

Step 1: Cook the noodles with all pack contents and half the seasoning sachet. Drain most of the liquid until the noodles are just slightly moist, not wet.

Step 2: Beat the two eggs well in a bowl. Add the cooked noodles to the eggs and mix everything together until the noodles are fully coated.

Step 3: Heat oil in a flat pan on medium heat. Pour the noodle and egg mixture into the pan and spread it out flat like a pancake.

Step 4: Cook for three to four minutes until the bottom is set and golden. Using a plate, flip it over carefully and cook the other side for two more minutes.

Step 5: Slide onto a board or plate and cut into slices or wedges.

Child-friendly tip: Let the child help with step 2, mixing the noodles into the eggs. It feels like cooking without any danger involved. Children who helped make the meal are much more likely to eat it enthusiastically.

Recipe 4: Noodle Soup Bowl  |  Ready in: 12 minutes  |  Serves: 1 to 2 children

On days when a child is tired, under the weather, or just wants something warm and comforting, a noodle soup bowl is the answer. The secret is using meat stock instead of plain water, which turns the noodle cooking liquid into a proper, flavorful broth rather than something that gets poured away.

What you need: 1 pack Addme Noodlemate Chicken or Crayfish, 1 to 2 cups meat stock (from your freezer batch), water, optional: a soft-boiled egg halved, optional: sliced spring onions.

Step 1: Heat the meat stock in a pot until it simmers. Top up with a little water if needed.

Step 2: Add the noodles to the simmering stock. The stock is already flavored, so do not add all of the seasoning sachet immediately.

Step 3: Add the protein and vegetable contents from the Noodlemate pack. Let everything cook together for three minutes.

Step 4: Taste the broth. Add a small amount of the seasoning sachet only if it needs more flavor. The stock itself should carry most of the flavor.

Step 5: Pour into a deep bowl with plenty of broth. Add the soft-boiled egg halved on the side and scatter spring onions on top if using.

Child-friendly tip: Give younger children a slightly shorter noodle length by breaking the uncooked noodle brick in half before cooking. Shorter noodles are easier for small hands and small mouths to manage.

Recipe 5: Rainbow Noodles With Extra Vegetables  |  Ready in: 15 minutes  |  Serves: 2 children

This one is as much about the look as the taste. Children respond to colorful food. A bowl full of bright orange carrots, green spring onions, yellow corn, and red pepper looks exciting before the first bite. The goal here is to use the vegetable blend already inside Noodlemate and add a few extra colorful vegetables from the fridge to make the bowl pop.

What you need: 1 pack Addme Noodlemate Classic or Chicken, 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, a small handful of any fresh or frozen vegetables from the fridge (diced carrot, spinach, diced green pepper, sweet corn), water.

Step 1: Heat the oil in a small pot. Add your extra fresh vegetables and stir-fry for one to two minutes until they start to soften.

Step 2: Add water to the pot and bring to a full boil.

Step 3: Add the noodles. After one minute, add the Noodlemate pack contents, including the dried vegetables.

Step 4: Cook for two to three more minutes. Add the seasoning sachet to taste.

Step 5: Serve in a wide, shallow bowl so all the colors are visible. Let the child choose which color to eat first.

Child-friendly tip: If your child is a picky eater who usually refuses vegetables, this is the way to start. The Noodlemate vegetables are already soft, small, and embedded in the noodles. The extra fresh vegetables you add can be cut very small and pushed into the noodle strands. It is very hard to pick around them without effort

Tips for Making Noodles That Children Will Always Finish

These small habits make a real difference to whether a child eats the bowl happily or pushes it away.

Control the Seasoning for Age

Young children, especially those under five, have more sensitive palates and lower sodium tolerance than older children and adults. Use half the seasoning sachet for children under five. The protein and vegetables inside the Noodlemate pack already add flavor, so even with half the seasoning, the bowl tastes far better than plain noodles.

Do Not Overcook the Noodles

Mushy noodles are not appealing to anyone, but children are particularly sensitive to texture. Remove the noodles from the heat the moment they are soft but still slightly chewy. They will continue to soften slightly in the bowl. Overcooked noodles go sticky and clump together, which changes the whole eating experience.

Serve in the Right Bowl

Children eat more enthusiastically from a bowl that feels right for them. A wide, shallow bowl lets them see everything and makes it easy to scoop. A deep soup bowl is better for the noodle soup recipe. If you have a smaller bowl for a young child, it also makes the portion look bigger and more impressive, which is a small psychology win.

Let Them Have an Opinion

Even young children can make small choices. Ask: "Do you want egg or no egg today?" "Do you want spring onions on top?" Giving a child two options makes them feel in control of their meal and dramatically increases the chance that they will eat it without fuss. The answer is almost always "egg, please."

Present It While Still Hot

Noodles cool down fast and cold noodles are not the same meal. Bring the bowl to the table immediately after serving. If you are preparing for more than one child, start with the quickest eater or set both bowls at the same time. Hot noodles are the whole point.

What to Serve Alongside Noodles on Children's Day

Noodles are filling enough on their own, especially with the protein already inside Noodlemate. But for a Children's Day meal that feels a little more festive, here are simple sides that children love and that take almost no extra time.

• Fried ripe plantain -- sweet and soft, children almost always love plantain alongside noodles.
• A boiled or fried egg on the side, separate from the bowl, for children who want to eat it on its own.
• A small cup of fresh fruit like watermelon slices, banana, or mango segments.
• A cold drink of their choice, which makes the whole meal feel like a special occasion.
• Puff-puff on the side as a treat if the celebration calls for it.

More Addme Meals the Whole Family Will Love

Noodles are one part of what Addme does. For the days when the children want pasta, Addme Pastamate gives you Red Sauce or White Sauce pasta with chicken chunks and vegetables already inside. One pack feeds four people. Children respond especially well to the White Sauce variant, which has sweet corn, carrot, and a creamy mild sauce. Read more: Addme Pastamate: The Perfect Mate for Every Pasta Dish.

For rice nights, Addme Ricemate brings coconut flavor and colorful vegetables to the pot without any extra chopping or sourcing of ingredients. Children see the orange carrots and yellow corn in their rice and eat more than they usually would.

See the full Addme range at addme.ng/category/addme-products.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Children's Day in Nigeria?

Children's Day in Nigeria is celebrated on 27 May every year. It was officially designated as a school holiday by the Nigerian federal government in 1964. It is a public holiday for primary and secondary school students, who get the day off for parades, funfairs, school events, and family celebrations.

Why do Nigerian children love noodles so much?

Noodles are fast, soft, warm, and mild enough for almost every palate. They feel like a treat even though they are quick to make. Nigerian children have grown up with noodles as a go-to meal and associate them with comfort and satisfaction. They are also easy to eat without much effort, which matters for younger children.

Is Addme Noodlemate safe for young children?

Yes. Addme Noodlemate contains real protein (chicken chunks or crayfish), dried vegetables (carrots, spring onions, sweet corn, green pepper), and a seasoning sachet. For younger children under five, use half the seasoning sachet to reduce sodium intake. The noodles, protein, and vegetables are all suitable for children. For the full breakdown of what is inside each variant, see: Are Instant Noodles Bad for You? The Truth Nigerian Mums Need to Know.

Which Noodlemate variant is best for children?

Noodlemate Chicken is the most universally liked by children across all age groups. It has a familiar, savory flavor with mild-medium heat. Noodlemate Classic is the best choice for younger children or those who prefer milder flavor. Noodlemate Crayfish works well for older children who are used to bold, traditional Nigerian flavors. Read the full variant comparison here.

How do I make noodles more nutritious for my child?

Start with Addme Noodlemate, which already has protein and vegetables inside. Then add one egg during the last minute of cooking for extra protein and healthy fat. You can also add a small handful of fresh or frozen vegetables to the pot. Use meat stock instead of plain water for extra flavor and nutrients. These additions take less than two minutes and significantly improve the nutritional value of the meal.

Can I reduce the seasoning in Noodlemate for young children?

Yes, and we recommend doing this for children under five. The Noodlemate seasoning sachet is packed separately from the noodles and pack contents, which means you can use as much or as little as you want. Use half the sachet for young children. The protein and vegetables already add flavor to the bowl, so it will still taste good.

What is the fastest noodle meal I can make for my child?

Noodles and egg is the fastest. Boil water, add the Addme Noodlemate Chicken pack contents, cook for three to four minutes, add the seasoning sachet, and fry a single egg in a small pan while the noodles finish. Serve immediately. Total time from cold water to table is about ten minutes.

My child is a picky eater who refuses vegetables. Will they eat Noodlemate?

Yes, most picky eaters do. The dried vegetables in Noodlemate are small and soft after cooking. They blend into the noodle strands rather than sitting separately on the plate. Children who refuse a bowl of cooked carrots on the side will often eat those same carrots without complaint when they are embedded in noodles. Start with Noodlemate Classic or Chicken for picky eaters.

Can I make noodles ahead of time for Children's Day?

Noodles are best served immediately after cooking. They continue to absorb liquid and soften as they sit, and cold noodles lose their appeal quickly. For Children's Day, cook the noodles fresh in the ten to fifteen minutes before the meal. The effort is minimal and the result is much better than reheated noodles.

Where can I buy Addme Noodlemate in Nigeria?

Order online at shop.addme.ng with free delivery. Addme Noodlemate is also available in major supermarkets across Lagos including Spar, Shoprite, Justrite, Jendol, Market Square, Blenco, and One Source.

Happy Children's Day from Addme

Children's Day is about joy. It is about giving the children in your life a day that they will remember, a day where they feel celebrated, seen, and well taken care of.

A good meal is part of that. Not complicated. Not stressful. Just warm, satisfying food that they love and that fills them up properly.

All five recipes above take 15 minutes or less. All five use Addme Noodlemate as the base, so the protein and vegetables are already there. All five are the kind of meal a child will ask for again next week.

Pick the one that sounds best for your child today. Make it together if you can. Let them crack the egg. Let them stir the pot. Let them choose the bowl.

Then sit down, watch them eat, and enjoy one of those ordinary moments that somehow matter more than most of the extraordinary ones. Happy Children's Day. Order Addme Noodlemate at shop.addme.ng. Free delivery on every order.