Nothing tops an oatmeal buffet for breakfast—except your favorite additions.

Ease into the weekend with a leisurely family breakfast that is hearty and fun. Try an oatmeal buffet. Line up bowls with a variety of toppings to suit everyone’s taste. Walk through and sprinkle on toppings, sampling and experimenting along the way.

In this creative setting, you may find your kids trying new foods and loving it.

Start by preparing a big batch of comforting, warm oatmeal. Then think of the range of toppings that could appeal to the grown-ups as well as the kids. Give everyone small bowls so they can sample different combinations. Round out the hearty breakfast with juice and whole-wheat toast or bagels.

Here are some ideas for toppings to get you started:

• low-fat milk
• brown sugar
• raisins, dates
• dried cranberries, cherries or other dried fruit
• sliced almonds or chopped pecans or walnuts
• cinnamon or cinnamon sugar
• nutmeg
• fresh bananas, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries or peaches
• maple syrup
• honey
• cinnamon toast “croutons”
• low-fat yogurt
• crushed breakfast bar or granola bar
• granola cereal
• wheat germ
• candied ginger