Try These Kid-Friendly Snack Ideas… They’re Healthy, too!
Would you be thrilled if your children’s snacks were healthier? I just love thinking about fun new snack ideas, and the ones I’m going to share today are all kid-friendly and super easy to make at home.
1. Fruit and Cheese Kabobs
Making (and eating) fruit and cheese kabobs is tasty and interactive. To get the kids involved prepare bowls of cut up fruit like apples, grapes, pineapples, bananas, and any other favorites. Set out another bowl with cheese cubes and show your snackers how to thread their fruit and cheese onto the wooden kabob sticks.
All in all, they’ll get a few servings of fruit, lots of fiber, some protein, and a happy stomach!
2. DIY Trail Mix
Trail mix, because it’s so easy to customize, which is perfect for picky palates. Plus, if you make your own you’ll know exactly what your kids are eating — no unnecessary preservatives included. Lately I’ve been loving this easy concoction:
- Made in Nature’s Tart Cherries
- Made in Nature’s Maple Vanilla Toasted Coconut Chips
- Cashews
- Cacao nibs
This combo is a nice mix of tart and sweet, soft and crunchy. We sweeten our Tart Cherries with a touch of organic apple juice and the coconut chips add another layer of warm, toasty sweetness. If your kiddos aren’t ready for the bitter bite on the cacao nibs, feel free to swap them out for dark chocolate.
3. Rice Cake Owls
Aren’t these rice cake owls adorable? This is another snack that doubles as a fun activity and here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 slice of nitrate-free deli meat
- 1 rice cake
- 1 hard boiled egg
- 2 Made in Nature Goldenberries
- 1 slice of cheese
- 2 cucumber slices
- 1 carrot stick
The link above has instructions on how to assemble the owls and your kids will have a blast making them. Heck, I have fun making them, too!
4. Homemade Energy Balls
You can whip up homemade energy balls using any number of ingredients, and the kids can even help. Peanut butter lovers will drool over this recipe:
- 1 cup oats
- ⅔ cup toasted shredded coconut
- ½ cup natural peanut butter
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
For an added kick of flavor, I like to add Made in Nature’s Italian Espresso Toasted Coconut Chips. I crumble them up and throw ‘em in the mix, adding more peanut butter if needed.
Once you have your ingredients it’s time to get to work. Mix everything up in a large bowl, then roll the mix into balls that are approximately 1 inch around. Pop them in the fridge to firm up for about 15 minutes, and enjoy. If you’ve got a full schedule and don’t have time to make your own energy balls, we’ve got you covered with Made In Nature Tart Cherry Fig Figgy Pops.
What do your children love to snack on? Don’t be shy — swap recipes and ideas in the comments below!
