Are children ever too full for a snack? If your kids are anything like mine, they’ll be asking for treats five minutes after a big dinner and don’t even get me started on how much food my eldest consumes when he gets home from school… They’re like bottomless pits!
The trouble is that us parents are already busy bees and catering to their constant demands makes us feel like we have a part-time job as a chef. So, why not let them wear the chef’s hat for once! Here are five snack ideas that are so easy the kids could make them – literally!
Cheese, Gromit?
Looking for some snack inspiration? Look no further than Wallace and Gromit’s favourite delicacy – crackers and cheese. It couldn’t be easier to prepare, and if you want to stick to healthier versions choose crispbread or wholegrain varieties. If you trust older children, they can chop up their own cheese to put on top or alternatively most supermarkets do cheese slices.
Peanut Butter Time
Peanut butter is without a doubt my favourite topping for just about anything and my children have inherited my love for it too. I’m doing my best to ensure they eat it in moderation and thankfully it’s a great way to get them to eat their veggies and get a boost of protein. Celery is a great accompaniment and is straightforward to prepare. Older kids can easily wash it and carefully cut off the ends and younger kids can get involved with coating it or dunking it in the peanut butter.
Carrots For Dipping
We still tell my son that carrots help him see in the dark and that’s one of the reasons it’s his favourite vegetable. Spinach comes a close second because we told him it will give him muscles like Popeye… Fresh, whole carrots are the tastiest, but they’re not the easiest to prepare. Most supermarkets sell carrot batons and by dipping them in houmous you’ve got a tasty snack that’s healthy too.
Make It Parfait
Another of my snack ideas for kids that tastes as good as it looks is to let them have a go at making their own berry, natural yoghurt and granola parfait. Layering the ingredients into transparent little pots will make this treat look extra pretty but failing that, throw everything in a bowl it will still taste just as good. Washed raspberries and blueberries work well and will give them a dose of antioxidants. Once they’ve finished get them to prepare one for you too!
Lolly It Up
For something slightly more complicated that could also count as an activity, why not get older kids to create their own banana lollies! They’ll need a few bananas which they can peel and cut in half and a lolly stick to insert into each piece. Coat them with yoghurt and then let them choose a topping such as cereal or sprinkles. Put each lolly on a plate covered with baking paper and stick them in the freezer for a couple of hours. Once they’re done, they’ll have something that’s ideal to cool them down on hot, sunny days.
There’s nothing worse than a "hangry" child. So don’t delay, forget the toy kitchen and put them to work in the real one!
