Healthy and Fun Snacks

Every day my kids are looking for a snack that is easy and tastes good. I have a designated "snack cabinet" in the kitchen where I stock granola bars, muffins, and other snacks. We have a fruit basket that is always stocked in the kitchen. But they are not always satisfied and they usually are asking for another snack shortly. With busy family life and the demands of being a kid, having a fun snack available can be something to look forward to. If it were up to my kids, candy would be on the menu every day.

But, since I get the vote, I try to keep it interesting, fun, and tasty for them!

I have a few favorite snacks that I like to rotate to keep things fun and tasty for the kids, and me! On the days that we visit the YMCA, I stock an apple and a hardboiled egg for each of us to eat on the way. Along with some water, this gives us the fuel we will need for the exercise we are about to enjoy.

On days that we are staying home or going to the library or park, I like to offer them fruits and vegetables with fun sides. Carrots go great with peanut butter, bananas are awesome with some melted dark chocolate, and celery with cream cheese is my little one's favorite. Homemade trail mix with cashews, sunflower seeds, raisins, cranberries, and maybe some chocolate chips are another favorite. My 5 year old loves cheese, though sometimes goes a bit too far with her cravings. So I cut up some cheese and put it on a plate with grapes and strawberries. She eats the fruit between bites of cheese and it lasts longer. Pickles and olives can be fun too. We have a silly song that we sing with the pickles and it is always so much fun. Make a silly song to accompany the snack and your kids will have so much fun with you at snack time.

For drinks, I avoid juices that are not made from fruits of vegetables. Though the girls despise my yummy vegetable juice that I love, they like apple and grape juice. I limit them to one glass a day to keep the sugar rush at bay. I also put lemons, oranges, limes, cucumbers, and even cherries into their water. Sometimes I add a little umbrella or fancy stirring stick. It looks like a fancy drink and they get to eat the treat too!

Whatever your trick is to get your children to eat a healthy snack, remember to keep it fun and healthy! They will thank you later, I promise!!