If you’re the parent of a preschooler, then you know they LOVE snack time. What’s fun about preparing simple, nutritious snacks is that it provides an opportunity for children to get involved. Turn your snack time into quality time spent with your toddler as you bring creative recipes to life! (And then eat them later, of course.) Here are three recipes we think you and your preschooler will love:
1. Erupting Lava Apple!
Celebrating the approach of fall by incorporating apples into your snack time!
Ingredients
- 1 apple per person
- ¼ cup peanut butter per apple
- 1/8 cup dried fruit bits or seeds, such as raisins, sunflower seeds, dried mixed fruits, popcorn
Utensils
- Apple corer
- Small bowls
- Butter knife
Instructions
- Remove the core of the apple with the apple corer.
- Mix the peanut butter and the fruit bits or seeds in one of the small bowls. Stir them together with a butter knife.
- Fill the hole in the apple with the peanut butter and fruit bits mixture.
- Sprinkle more fruit or seeds on top of the peanut butter.
- Eat the lava apple for a snack. The lava will erupt and spread over your chin and face. Napkins will help keep the lava under control.
Hint: This recipe also works well with softened cheddar cheese! -Did you like this recipe? Find even more creative snack time activities in Snacktivities!
2. Let’s Eat a Bird’s Nest!
Carrots are the foundation for this silly snack! Get creative and make a nutritious work of art with your preschooler.
Ingredients
- 2 carrots
- ¼ cup chow mein noodles
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (or to taste)
- Grapes
Utensils
- Firm paper plates
- Grater
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowl and spoon
Instructions
- Show your child how to grate carrots. Explain that the little grater holes are sharp, so they must be very careful. You may need to help them at first, but they will catch on quickly and love doing it!
- Mix together one half of a grated carrot and about ¼ cup chow mein noodles.
- Help your child stir in enough mayonnaise to moisten the carrots and noodles.
- Show your child how to use a spoon to place the mixture on a plate and to push it down to form a “nest.”
- When the “nest” is formed, add grape “eggs.”
A Book to Share:
Are You My Mother? By P.D. Eastman
Did you like this recipe? Get creative with even more recipes from Kate Kuhn's The Budding Chef.
3. Lemon Lights
Make your snack time lemonade fancy by adding a little color for a magical glow!
Ingredients
- Purple grape juice
- Lemonade mix
Utensils
- Pitcher
- Ice cube trays
- Glasses
Instructions
- Fill each compartment of the ice cube trays with grape juice and place them in the freezer. Let them freeze overnight.
- The next day, prepare the lemonade in the pitcher.
- Remove the ice cubes from the tray and place in each glass. Pour in the lemonade.
- While drinking, watch what happens to the colors in the lemonade!
-Did you like this recipe? Find even more creative snack time activities in Snacktivities! We hope you enjoyed these simple but nutritious ways to make the most of your preschooler's snack time. Are you planning on making something super creative? Feel free to share it with us by snapping a picture of your creation and posting it to our Facebook page with the hashtag #fabulousfood. Have a great rest of the week!
