“Argh. I made you little scallywags a pirate snack,” I said while handing my two young kids a cup overflowing with unsalted popcorn. They’d recently discovered The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything movie and loved pretending to search for treasure chests full of gold doubloons. So, their “pirate snack” included a few yellow M&Ms at the bottom. They loved it!
I’m not the only mom who flexes a little creativity around snack time. According to a OnePole survey, more than half of us moms use snack time to wave our “cool mom” flag. If you’re looking for your own cool snacks to make, whip up some of these 15 treasures. (And, hey, the ideas marked by an asterisk take less than 5 minutes to put together!)
Imposter Snacks
1. Banana Sushi Rolls* – Peel a banana and gently roll it in granola or a favorite cereal. Slice it into bite-sized pieces like a California roll. If you’re feeling a little extra, slice up a few blackberries to add on top as a stand-in for roe. Or for an extra sticky banana, spread on peanut butter before rolling it in granola.
2. Edible Play Dough Snacks, AKA the Food You Play With Before Eating – Edible play dough uses safe-to-eat ingredients, such as flour, honey, and food coloring. Follow the recipe, and then let your child create shapes and figures before eating. For younger kids, you might need to make the distinction between this version and store-bought Play-DOH. Older kids will appreciate this snack even more when they need a homework brain break.
3. Rootie-Tootie Fruity-Veggie Smoothie – A smoothie just might be the OG of imposter snacks. It feels like a special treat and offers servings of fruit and vegetables! In a blender, add about three cups of frozen fruit (berries, bananas, mango, pineapple, etc), one cup of liquid (juice, milk, or milk substitute), ½ cup of yogurt, a teaspoon of honey, and about a cup of spinach or kale. Blend it and serve it up.
DIY Snack Bar Ideas
4. Happy Trails Mix – Let your child create her own trail mix by providing options like nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and whole-grain cereal. You can even add in a few options for her sweet tooth. If you’re concerned about sugar intake, limit her mix to one spoon of sweets for every three scoops of other options. (It’s a practical way to work in some math practice!)
5. Popcorn Party – Offer your family’s favorite style of popcorn and then include various topping options. For example, set out nuts, chopped dried fruit, and shredded cheese. Or chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. The options can be endless, so don’t be afraid to try an unusual flavor profile! Consider watching a classic family movie during snack time, too!
6. A Quesadilla Fit for a Snack – When our kids hit a growth spurt, we often need to expand our definition of cool snacks to make. During those seasons, our kids just need more food! While it might be a staple for dinner, let your child build his own snack-size quesadillas using taco soft shells with filling options, such as cheese, beans, and veggies.
Snacks for a Hot Day
7. Frozen Watermelon Popsicles – Puree seedless watermelon and pour into popsicle molds for a classic summer treat. Or pour them into an ice-cube tray and add popsicle sticks.
8. That Time Princess Peach Visited Anna and Elsa* – Sometimes cool snacks to make get that way because of their name, like this one for all the Frozen and Mario Brothers’ fans in the house. Simply, slice peaches and pop them in the freezer. Then enjoy them for a healthy, sweet treat. (No princesses or plumbers were harmed in the making of these snacks.)
9. Cool as a Cucumber (but with a Ninjago Kick)* – Slice cucumbers into rounds. Sprinkle with a touch of chili powder and a squeeze of lime juice for a refreshing and slightly spicy snack.
Yogurt Three Ways
10. Double-Dippin’ Yogurt Fondue* – Finally, give your child permission to double dip with his own bowl of yogurt! Give him pretzel sticks to use for spearing and dunking sliced fruit, such as strawberries, blueberries, mango, pineapple, and cantaloupe. You can also include dried cereal loops, angel food cake cubes, or even dried cranberries or cherries.
11. The Perfect Parfait – Layer yogurt, granola, and your child’s favorite chopped fruits for a colorful and nutritious parfait.
12. Frozen Yogurt Bites* – Make yogurt pops by pouring yogurt into ice-cube trays and freezing them. Add fruit chunks or granola for extra flavor and texture.
Snacks for Your Little Sweetie Who Loves a Little Salt
13. Round ‘Em Up Rice Cakes* – Grab your favorite rice cake, spread on smashed avocado, and add sliced tomato.
14. Row, Row, Row Your Pepper – Using small bell peppers, slice in half like a little canoe. Fill the peppers with smashed avocado or hummus and let your little sea captain avoid the hangry storm brewing.
15. Pita Pizza Pizzazz – Spread tomato or pesto sauce on a whole-wheat pita bread. Sprinkle with cheese and your child’s favorite pizza toppings like chopped veggies or pepperoni. Bake at low heat until the cheese melts.
Which cool snacks to make for kids do your little munchkins gobble up?
