As parents of 5 year-old and 21 month-old girls, we periodically run into a rut when it comes to snacks of quick and simple meals. At the same time, my wife and I are softees and are okay with making food fun and interesting for our daughters. So, I love coming across articles like the one attached below that provide great fun and nutritional ideas/recipes for kid friendly food
In our home, the Breadstick Snails, Strawberry PB Crepes, Blueberry Banana Stacks and Polka Dot Waffle Sticks are a big hit! Another things I love about these types of recipes and ideas are that they are totally flexible:
- On the Breadstick Snails, we have used a good squirt of organic tomato sauce and a couple of slices of cheese to make them “pizza” flavored. (Note – when using crescent rolls, you really have to use a good amount of “stuff” to get the taste in the roll!)
- For the Strawberry PB Crepes, we’ve also used sliced bananas or apples with the peanut butter, or switched it up with whipped cream cheese and sliced mangos!
- Likewise, on the Blueberry Banana Stacks we have switched the fruits to what is in season and in the kitchen. OR for a savory version, we use hummus and top with thin sliced cucumber or zucchini and black olives or grape tomato!
- Lastly, on the Polka Dot Waffle Sticks, we’ve used peanut butter rather than cream cheese at times, and have topped them with fresh berries, diced bananas and sometimes chocolate chips!
So bottom line, use some creativity & incorporate ingredients your kid(s) like, have fun and enjoy the process and the snack/meal with your kids!
Smart Snacks for Kids
This super snack planner — with six recipes to prepare ahead and six you can whip up in minutes — will stack the chips in favor of your kid’s health.
Breadstick Snails
Made with refrigerated breadsticks and pesto, these cute creatures can be prepared ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Per Piece: 96 calories; 3g fat
Biscotti Gone Bananas
If your kids like banana bread, they’ll love these crispy biscotti strips. Keep them in a tightly sealed container and they’ll stay fresh for up to a week.
Nutrition Per Piece: 101 calories; 3g fat
Rainbow Chips & Dip
It’s a snap to make your own chips using colorful whole-grain tortillas. This fresh pineapple salsa beats bottled dip any day. Both the chips and salsa can be made ahead for anytime snacking.
Nutrition Per Serving: 112 calories; 2g fat
Confetti Yogurt Pops
Packed with antioxidants, protein, and calcium, these portable yogurt pops are a perfect on-the-go snack.
Nutrition Per Pop: 99 calories; 1g fat
Cranberry-Apricot Granola Bars
Dried apricots, cranberries, and cinnamon sweeten up these fiber-rich granola bars.
Nutrition Per Bar: 157 calories; 5g fat
Fruit & Cheese Kabobs
Create these fun shapes using your child’s favorite cookie cutters. You can also mix things up by substituting different kinds of fruit.
Nutrition Per Serving: 99 calories; 6g fat
Starry Chocolate Fruit
Kids can help with this five-minute snack. Just set out the melted chocolate and let them dip in the fruit.
Nutrition Per Serving: 134 calories; 8g fat
No-Bake Peach Crisp
Ready in no time, this cinnamon-peach crisp is topped with low-fat vanilla yogurt.
Nutrition Per Serving: 101 calories; 1g fat
Strawberry PB Crepes
Filled with peanut butter and chopped strawberries, these bite-size crepes are an excellent source of protein.
Nutrition Per Serving: 125 calories; 9g fat
Blueberry-Banana Stacks
Mini popcorn cakes are the perfect base for these tiny towers of strawberry cream cheese, bananas, and blueberries.
Nutrition Per Serving: 114 calories; 6g fat
Monarch Munchies
Loaded with iron, these little munchies are almost as fun to make as they are to eat.
Nutrition Per Serving: 104 calories; 4g fat
Polka-Dot Waffle Sticks
These sweet treats can be made on the fly. Just cover whole-grain waffles with reduced-fat cream cheese and top with jelly.
Nutrition Per Serving: 134 calories; 6g fat
Originally published in the April 2009 issue of Parents magazine.
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