Kids love to snack, but premade snacks that are purchased from the grocery store are often laden with fat, sugar and chemicals. Many snacks can be made with just a few simple and healthy ingredients that kids will love.
Freeze It
Kids love frozen foods. There are many healthy snacks out there that kids may not want if served the conventional way, but when frozen, these snacks become wonderful treats that kids will love.
Freeze yogurt in Popsicle containers or small paper cups with a Popsicle stick placed in the middle and kids will devour these healthy treats. Freezing sugar-free pudding in the same way creates a creamy, ice-cream-like treat.
Frozen red and green grapes can become yummy sparkling jewels when served in a pretty glass bowl. Lightly sprinkle damp grapes with a little bit of sugar before putting them in the freezer for added sparkle.
Dip 'Em
Dunking food into a sauce is always a hit with kids. A small dollop of caramel sauce is the perfect compliment for apples and bananas, while a serving of spaghetti sauce compliments string cheese, grilled chicken fingers, toasted English muffin strips, or even grilled tortillas cut into wedges.
Try melting creamy peanut butter in the microwave for a few seconds to create the perfect pool for dipping celery sticks, frozen waffle sticks or banana and apple slices. Marshmallow cream melted in the microwave for a few seconds is yummy to dip graham crackers and orange segments in.
Mix It Up
Fill bowls with ingredients such as corn cereal, popcorn, mini-marshmallows, chocolate chips and mixed nuts. Give each child a zip storage bag and let them create their own trail mix.
Arrange several different types of lunch meats, peanut butter, jellies, cheeses, crackers and breads so kids can mix and match their own sandwich-style snacks. Pair with grapes or apple slices and you have a very filling snack that will hold kids' appetites until their next meal.
Create Something Else
Putting peanut butter on a stalk of celery and sprinkling raisins on top becomes an exciting snack when you call it "Ants on a Log."
Spread a little tomato sauce on a whole-wheat English muffin, add mozzarella cheese, then put a couple of black olives for eyes, a green pepper slice for a nose, and half of a pepperoni round to make a smiley face. Cut the other half of the pepperoni round in half again to create horns. Bake at 350 degrees F for five to 10 minutes and you have "Monster Pizza."
Tags: kids will, peanut butter, that kids, apple slices, English muffin, half pepperoni