The days are getting longer, and the weather is warming up. You know what that means — summer is coming, and your kids are going to have lots of free time on their hands.
It’s important to keep your little ones fed and energized throughout the day, so it’s wise to stock up on summer snacks they’ll love. You’re a busy parent, and you need quick, easy recipes that cater to your child’s unique tastes.
Making snacks for your kids can sound like a bit of a project — luckily, you don’t need to spend too much time, energy, or money with these simple and fun recipes. You can focus on your children, work, the household, or just yourself!
To get you started, here are 7 healthy treats for kids that will keep your little ones full and energized as they participate in their favorite summer activities.
Veggie Sticks
Veggie sticks are an incredibly healthy snack for kids. They’re quick to make, and fun to eat. You can also prepare servings ahead of time and have your child eat them later on.
There are only a couple of steps:
- Choose your child’s favorite vegetables
- Cut them into finger-sized sticks, and they’re ready to eat with a yummy dressing
- We recommend pairing them with something healthy and refreshing, like Greek yogurt
Mini Sandwiches on Sticks
If you’re looking for a great summer snack, you can’t go wrong with a sandwich. They’re filling, yummy, and can include whatever your child likes.
It can be hard to convince children to finish their meals, especially when they’re busy with friends and summer activities. Making their meals more interesting can encourage young kids to eat more of their food. You can make any meal a bit more fun for little ones, and the same can be said for sandwiches:
- Gather the ingredients for your child’s sandwich
- Cut them into bite-size chunks — ingredients like cheese cubes and cherry tomatoes can make this step a bit quicker
- Place them in order like you normally would on a skewer, and pack them for lunch
This is an easy and fun snack your child can enjoy all year long.
Fruit and Yogurt Popsicles
These popsicles are a healthy, cool, and refreshing snack your child will love during summer. You don’t even need to use your blender.
- Cut any fruit into little chunks
- Mix the chunks with yogurt, (we recommend unsweetened Greek)
- Pour everything into popsicle molds. Doing it this way instead of blending everything may make it easier to incorporate different fruits and keep things tasty for picky eaters
- Place the popsicles into the freezer for a few hours, and you have a creamy, sweet snack that’s perfect for battling the summer heat
Banana “Ice Cream”
If you’re looking for healthy summer snacks for kids, you can’t go wrong with banana ice cream. The name can be a bit misleading, since you don’t need to add any cream or dairy, making this a great option for lactose-intolerant kids. The recipe is very simple:
- Peel a couple bananas and chop them into chunks
- Freeze for a few hours, until firm
- Blend to create a creamy, cool, and healthy treat
- For a bit of extra flavor, feel free to add nuts, chocolate chips, or peanut butter
Homemade Granola Bars
Granola bars are one of the best kid-friendly summer treats to take on a hike or camping trip with your kids. They’re easy to carry and eat, and you can choose ingredients your child prefers when you’re making them yourself.
Granola bars only require a few ingredients you may already have at home:
- You can mix any nut butter with either maple syrup or honey
- Add any dry ingredients your child will like. You can use rolled oats, nuts, chocolate chips, sea salt, cereal, and many other tasty ingredients
Check out this simple recipe for homemade granola bars. Feel free to invite your little ones to join you as you prepare them.
Key Lime Energy Bites
You know just how important it is to keep your child happy and energized, especially when they’re enjoying the summertime.
- These key lime energy bites are the perfect treat to keep your little one going strong
- Invite your little ones to make these fun little treats with you. They’ll love getting to help you mix the ingredients and form the bites
Summer Fruit Spring Rolls
These fruit spring rolls are pretty and colorful, making them enticing to young children. They’re also healthy and fun to make. Think of them as portable fruit salads.
- This recipe is a great way to use up any leftover fruit you have
- Simply cut them into slices, and set them aside
- Prepare your rice paper by soaking it in water for a second, and lay it flat on your counter to soften
- Place your fruit slices at the bottom of the paper, and roll everything like a burrito. This is another great recipe to make with kids
Ready to Make This Summer a Blast?
Now that you know about these easy recipes, you can support your child’s health and wellbeing even more throughout the summer.
It’s always smart to be prepared for anything that comes your child’s way. While your kids play this summer they might be more active, and active kids are always more prone to injury.
myCallADoc offers pediatric medical services 24/7 to help treat your child for anything that comes up in their busy summer schedule.
Learn about our pediatric services and keep your children safe this summer >
[DISCLAIMER]
This article is not intended as medical advice. Always check with your doctor before embarking on a health and wellness plan.
