Summer Treats You Can Make with Small Children
Small children love to help in the kitchen when given the opportunity. They also love making delicious treats they can enjoy. We’ve rounded up a set of recipes that are easy enough for a preschooler (with some help from an adult), tasty, and healthy.
Frozen Banana Pops
A healthier alternative to popsicles or ice cream bars that is easy to make.
Ingredients
- Bananas
- Yogurt (or melted chocolate if preferred)
- Fun toppings like sprinkles, crushed nuts, or coconut flakes
- Popsicle sticks
Instructions
- Peel the banans and cut them in half crosswise.
- Insert a popsicle stick into the cut end of the banana and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Pour the yogurt or chocolate into a shallow pan or bowl.
- Dip each banana half into the yogurt, rotating to coat evenly.
- Let your child sprinkle their favorite toppings over the bananas.
- Place the coated bananas back on the baking sheet and place in the freezer.
- Eat after 2-3 hours or once the yogurt is frozen.
Trail Mix
It can be fun to prepare your own snacks for your next adventure. And trail mix is definitely one of those snacks worthy of any adventure.
Ingredients
- Variety of nuts
- Dried fruits
- Mini pretzels
- Granola
- Chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Place the ingredients in small separate bowls.
- Provide containers for your child to fill.
- Let your child pick the ingredients for each container from the small bowls.
Fruit Kabobs
There is just something about putting food on a stick that makes it more exciting.
Ingredients
- Fruit cut into bit-size cubes such as watermelon, strawberries, grapes, and pineapples
- Wooden skewers (choose ones with blunt the ends to make it safer)
Instructions
Let the preschooler thread the fruit cubes on the skewers. You can even encourage them to make a pattern, doubling as a nice math lesson.
Teddy Bear Toast
A yummy treat that is cute too? Yes, please.
Ingredients
- Bread
- Peanut butter or cream cheese
- Banana slices
- Raisins
- Strawberries
Instructions
- Toast the bread.
- Spread peanut butter or cream cheese on the toast.
- Use banana slices for ears, raisins for eyes, and a strawberry slice for the mouth to create the teddy bear’s face.
Yogurt Bark
A frozen treat that is sure to please little tummies.
Ingredients
- Greek yogurt
- Toppings like granola, berries, or nuts
Instructions
- On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spread the Greek yogurt into a thin layer.
- Let your child sprinkle the toppings on top.
- Place in the freezer for 1-2 hours until the yogurt is completely frozen.
Add Some Fun Before Snack Time
Work up an appetite and make the wait more fun by playing LilliQuest, real-world quests where children can go on a scavenger hunt wherever they are.
