Healthy snacks your kids will love: eating well this summer

Stuck in a snacking rut? Lost for inspiration on what to give your kids to graze on? When the fruit bowl just won’t cut it, jazz up snack time with these healthy and creative ideas!

The summer holidays are coming and so is the return of popular phrases such as, “I’m hungry”, “can I have a snack?” and “are we there yet?” You might feel like you’re always preparing snacks whether you’re having a lazy day at home or getting ready for a day out.

It’s important to eat well during the summer holidays especially in between indulging with the odd treat, but that doesn’t mean snack time has to be boring! Here are four different fun snack ideas you and your kids can enjoy this summer!

Watermelon Pizza

There’s nothing better than a cold, refreshing slice of watermelon on a hot day and if you’re looking for a sweet treat the whole family can enjoy, this watermelon pizza is fun and easy to make. Even better, watermelon has an incredible 92% water content, keeping you cool and hydrated.

You will need:

• A watermelon
• Low-fat yoghurt
• Selection of your favourite fruit (chopped)

Instructions:

1. Slice your watermelon in half and cut a round slice about 1-3 inches thick, then cut into wedges just like a pizza.
2. Spread over some yoghurt and scatter over with chopped fruit of your choice.

Recipe idea from choosingchia.com/watermelon-pizza

Fruit Ice Lollies

One of the best things about summer is ice cream and although it’s always very tempting to buy an ice cream or lolly when you hear the classic tunes blaring out of the ice cream van, you can easily make your own fruit ice pops at home. They’re so easy to make and store so you can have your own supply of ice lollies without having to listen out for the ice cream van.

You will need:

• Ice lolly moulds
• Wooden lolly sticks
• Sugar-free lemonade
• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Kiwi
• Mango

Instructions

1. Prepare your fruit - wash your berries, slice the strawberries, peel and slice the kiwi and the mango.
2. Begin to fill your ice lolly moulds with layers of fruit ensuring everything is compact against the sides of the mould so that the fruit doesn’t move when the liquid is added.
3. Fill up the moulds with lemonade and gently tap to ensure all gaps between the fruit are filled.
4. Add the lolly stick in the middle of each mould taking care not to disturb your layers.
5. Pop your moulds into the freezer and leave overnight until completely frozen.

Recipe idea from www.eatsamazing.co.uk

Silly Sandwiches

Kids love sandwiches, especially without the crusts, so these silly frog sandwiches are the best of both worlds. You can hide plenty of salad in between the bread in the hope your kids will eat it anyway because they like the way it looks!

You will need:

• Two slices of bread of your choice
• Slice of cucumber cut lengthways
• Stuffed olives
• Ham
• Cheese
• Other fillings of your choice
• Round cutter

Instructions:

1. Cut a round from each slice of bread.
2. Cut a piece of cucumber lengthways for the frog’s tongue.
3. Prepare the rest of your chosen fillings and begin to assemble your frog.
4. Top your sandwich with two stuffed olives or grapes for the frog’s eyes.

Recipe idea from kidsactivitiesblog.com

Fruit Wands

Everyone loves a kebab, especially fruit kebabs! Kids will absolutely love these fruit wands, they would make an extra special treat at birthday parties, BBQs or for dessert! The best thing is, you can be as creative as you like and get the whole family involved.

You will need:

• Wooden skewers
• Star cutter
• Watermelon
• Blueberries, grapes and/or strawberries

Instructions:

• Prepare and wash your fruit.
• Slice your watermelon and use a cutter to cut out stars from the flesh.
• Assemble your wands – stick your berries or other fruit through the middle of each skewer and top with the watermelon stars.

Recipe idea from partywithunicorns.com