Summer has arrived!
It’s all about those beach days and endless summer fun! It also means that the kids are home because school’s out for summer (Alexa, play “School’s Out” by Alice Cooper). As they spend more time outside in the fresh air, kids can take snacking to a whole new level and it can be difficult to keep up with their requests.
If your kids are constantly asking for snacks, here are some healthy ideas to keep things exciting. And you can make them feel included by having them help you prepare some of these foods beforehand and storing them in the fridge.
Here are some of my favorite healthy summer snacks ideas that your kids are bound to love.
Frozen Fruit Desserts As A Summer Snack
Homemade frozen fruit desserts are my preferred alternatives to the store-bought sugar-laden varieties. I like making my own desserts because they are free from chemical flavors and sweeteners, and they have the added bonus of being healthy as well as satisfying my sweet tooth without the added sugar.
Just grab any fruit that your kids like and turn it into soft serve “ice-cream” using a soft serve maker. Most machines call for using frozen fruit, which you can turn into a fun meal prep activity with the kids by having them choose the fruits they like and then freezing them ahead of time.
Fruit Popsicles
Loaded with vitamins and just a really refreshing treat, fruit popsicles are my go-to snack during summer. They are so easy to make! Just fill a popsicle mold with blended fruit puree, add some sliced fruit or berries if you’d like, a splash of maple syrup if you want some added sweetness, and stick it in the freezer until firm. Yum!
You can also turn citrus fruits into popsicles. No need to blend it into fruit puree, just squeeze it into the popsicle mold. Try it out with some oranges, lemons, limes or pineapples.
Summer Snack Fun: Fruit and Veggies Art
Who doesn’t love fun-shaped slices of fresh fruit and vegetables? I turn my daughter’s favorite fruit and vegetables into a fun summer snack using these simple fruit and vegetable cutters. Serve them with a dip like hummus for a filling snack. It’s healthy finger food that the whole family can snack on.
If you are feeling more adventurous, you can create little works of art using this apple bunny recipe from Just One Cookbook.
Smoothies
Let your kids get plenty of vitamins from their summer snack with a smoothie made from fresh or frozen fruit, and vegetables, too. You can even mix it up with some chia seeds and honey if you like. The possibilities are endless.
All you need is some fruit (or sweet vegetables), some ice, and a good blender. Wash the ingredients and peel them if necessary. Add them to the blender and let everything blend until there are no lumps left. Smoothies taste best when cold, so if your fruit isn't frozen, don't skip the ice.
If you don't want plain ice in your smoothie, you can add cold almond or coconut milk to the mix before you blend. Drink right after blending, or make a batch and store in your fridge for later.
Some vegetables that you can add to your smoothies are cucumbers, kale, beets, or carrots. But do pair them with a sweet fruit so that the flavor of the vegetable doesn’t overpower your smoothie. Choose a nice soft fruit like banana or watermelon. The smoother and silkier the smoothie is, the better.
Yogurt Bowls
There’s nothing like a nice chilled yogurt bowl on a hot summer day. Why I love yogurt bowls as a summer snack is you can add whatever toppings you like. For example, you can pair hazelnuts with some pineapple chunks. Or you can use some kiwi and strawberry slices as well as sliced almonds.
Sprinkle Some Fun and Spoon University have some great ideas for toppings that would go great on yogurt bowls. Feel free to experiment!
Fruit Salad
Mix up some summer fruits with a dash of maple syrup mixed with some lemon juice or balsamic vinegar and you’ve got a yummy fruit salad.
Add in a mix of berries like blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and cranberries to up the vitamin and minerals quotient. You can also add some chopped basil or mint for flavor.
I love this summertime fruit salad recipe from Cookie and Kate because it’s packed with vitamins and antioxidants. Joyful Healthy Eats also have a great fruit salad recipe that is simple, healthy and delicious.
More Ways To Eat Healthy This Summer…
Chia Pudding Recipe - a quick and easy breakfast recipe
Chlorella Smoothie - a yummy drink that helps build your immune system
*Disclaimer: There may be affiliate links in this article meaning I'll make a small commission if you use them.
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