With summer breaks just weeks away, you’re probably looking for fun ways to keep your kids fed.
Summer snacks should be tasty — and healthy. Prepackaged snacks are often high in sugar, sodium and fat. But with a little creativity, you can offer snacks that are not only good for them, but fun, too.
Here’s 10 snack ideas that are easy to make, nutritious and kid-approved:
- Fruit kebabs: Slice up your child's favorite fruits — such as strawberries, grapes and pineapple — and thread them onto skewers for a colorful, tasty snack.
- Yogurt parfait: Layer low-fat yogurt with fresh berries and granola for a delicious and filling snack packed with protein and fiber.
- Ants on a log: Spread peanut butter or cream cheese on celery sticks and top with raisins for a fun and crunchy snack.
- Frozen banana pops: Peel bananas, cut them in half and insert popsicle sticks. Dip them in melted chocolate or yogurt, roll them in crushed nuts or sprinkles, and freeze for a healthy and refreshing treat.
- Apple "cookies": Slice apples into rounds, spread with peanut butter or almond butter, and sprinkle with toppings like raisins, coconut flakes or cinnamon for a sweet, crunchy snack.
- Homemade trail mix: Mix together nuts, seeds, dried fruit and whole-grain cereal for a customizable snack that's high in protein and fiber.
- Veggie chips: Thinly slice vegetables like sweet potatoes, zucchini or kale and bake them in the oven with a little olive oil and salt for a crispy, healthy snack.
- Fruit smoothies: Blend frozen fruit, yogurt and milk or juice for a creamy and nutritious drink perfect for a hot day.
- Mini pizzas: Use whole-grain English muffins or pita bread as a base, and top with tomato sauce, cheese and veggies. Bake for a homemade and healthier version of pizza.
- Popcorn mix: Pop plain popcorn and toss with spices like cinnamon, chili powder or garlic powder, as well as nutritional yeast or grated parmesan cheese for a savory and crunchy snack.
With these fun and healthy snack ideas, you can help your kids develop good eating habits while also satisfying their taste buds.
Encourage your child to get involved in preparing the snacks and experiment with different combinations of flavors and textures. By making healthy eating a fun and enjoyable activity, you can set your child on the path to a lifetime of good health.
Find more healthy recipes in our online Health Library.