Summer is here, which means it is that time of the year when school-going children have holidays. That also calls for more family time, which means kids will be at home all day. So if you’re tired of hearing the same line, "I’m hungry," and if you're looking for some kid-friendly snacks to try this summer, then you're in the right place!
Kid-friendly snacks generally refer to snacks that are appealing to children, easy to eat, and nutritious. It's important to provide children with a variety of healthy options to support their growth and development. These nibbles make snack time an enjoyable and exciting experience for children as they are designed to be fun and visually appealing, such as colourful fruit skewers or homemade popsicles.
Suggesting kid-friendly summer snacks may be useful for parents or caretakers who are looking for ideas on what to offer their children as snacks during the warmer months. When selecting snacks, it's also important to consider any dietary restrictions or food allergies that a child may have. Fruits and vegetables, whole-grain crackers, yoghurt, cheese, nuts, and seeds are great snack options. These snacks are high in nutrients and provide energy to keep kids active throughout the day.
Additionally, kid-friendly snacks should be easy for children to eat on their own and not require too much preparation or clean-up for parents. Thus, offering a variety of nutritious and fun snacks to children can help them develop healthy eating habits and make snack time an enjoyable part of their day.
Here are some all-time favourite summer snacks that are sure to satisfy their taste buds this summer season:
Aam Panna
Video Credits-Your Food Lab/youtube
During the hot summer months, children need to stay hydrated. Aam Panna is a healthy and refreshing drink that can be a great addition to a child's diet during the summer. It is a drink made from raw mangoes that are boiled, blended, and mixed with sugar, salt, and spices. It has a tangy and sweet flavour and is served chilled, which most children enjoy.
Aam Panna is an excellent source of hydration as it contains water, which helps replenish the fluids lost from the body due to sweating. Raw mangoes are a rich source of vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system and protect against infections. Aam Panna is known to aid digestion due to the presence of compounds like pectin and fibre, which promote gut health and regulate bowel movements.
This beverage has a cooling effect on the body, which can help lower body temperature and prevent heatstroke during hot summer months. However, it's important to note that aam panna can be high in sugar, so it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Chocolate Banana Ice Cream
Naturally sweet and creamy, chocolate banana ice cream comes together in just a few minutes and is a great treat to make from your stash of ripe or frozen bananas too. This homemade chocolate ice cream is a great snack option for kids because it is made with natural ingredients like bananas, cocoa powder, and milk, which are all rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Bananas are a good source of potassium, which can help regulate blood pressure, and fibre, which can aid digestion.
To take it to the next level of flavour and texture, add almond butter, which is a bit milder than peanut butter and goes really well with sliced almonds. Kind of like burnt almond fudge to make it even more appealing to kids. This ice cream is really easy to make and can be a fun activity for kids to participate in. All you need is a blender and a few simple ingredients to create a delicious and healthy treat.
All you need to do is break ripe bananas in half and place them in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse for about a minute, or until the bananas have a crumbly texture, then add the almond butter and cocoa powder and replace the cover. Optionally, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of honey or 3 dates for added sweetness. Blend for another minute, or until the texture is uniformly smooth. Serve immediately or freeze individual scoops on parchment paper until ready to serve.
Unlike store-bought ice cream, this dessert does not contain high amounts of added sugar. By using ripe bananas, the natural sweetness of the fruit is used to sweeten the ice cream, making it a healthier option for children.
Fruit Nachos
Fruit nachos are a great way to eat something sweet with fruit as the main ingredient. We love using green apples because they are crunchy and tart and have a perfect balance when topped with caramel and chocolate. You can also use pears with the apples, which is the classic, or you can opt for strawberries, pineapple, grapes, or mango too.
Cut thin slices of apples and pears and place them on a plate. This makes it a lot easier for kids to eat! The next step is to add your toppings, like caramel, chocolate, almonds, Nutella, and white chocolate chips. Many healthy toppings include coconut flakes, mini chocolate chips, granola, chopped strawberries, melted peanut butter, chopped bananas, and chopped nuts.
Frozen Yoghurt Bark
Frozen yoghurt bark is a refreshing summer treat that can be enjoyed on hot days. It is a healthier alternative to ice cream and can help keep kids cool and hydrated. This refreshing snack is easy to make. Simply spread some yoghurt onto a baking sheet, add your favourite fruits like berries, bananas, mango chunks, kiwi, grapes, cherries, and nuts, and freeze for around 3 hours for the bark to fully set in the freezer. Once it's frozen, you can break it into bite-sized pieces for a cool and crunchy snack.
Yoghurt is a good source of calcium, protein, and probiotics. Probiotics are good bacteria that help support a healthy gut and immune system, which makes them a great choice for kids. Using yoghurt with full fat gives it a creamy texture rather than being icy when frozen. Small fruits like blueberries work very well here, and chopping larger fruits to be about the size of blueberries helps with cutting the bark.
Unlike store-bought frozen treats, homemade frozen yoghurt bark can be made with little to no added sugar. By using fresh fruit and natural sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup, the frozen yoghurt bark can be made to be lower in sugar and more nutritious for kids. A variety of toppings can be added, such as fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, and granola, allowing the kids to customise their snacks and create a delicious and healthy treat that they will enjoy.
Mango Lassi
Mango lassi is an all-time favourite Indian summer drink. It is made with fresh mangoes and yoghurt, which are both excellent sources of nutrients. Mangoes are rich in Vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants, while yoghurt is high in calcium, protein, and probiotics, which help support a healthy gut and immune system.
What better way than to combine the sweetness of mangoes with the tanginess of yoghurt? Make this fruity, thick, creamy, refreshing mango lassi recipe in less than 15 minutes with ripe mangoes, yoghurt, and your choice of flavourings: green cardamom, saffron, or rose water. You can add different ingredients, such as honey, cardamom, or saffron, to make it even more appealing to kids.
Unlike many store-bought drinks, homemade mango lassi can be made with little to no added sugar. By using fresh, ripe mangoes, the natural sweetness of the fruit is used to sweeten the drink, making it a healthier option for children. Mango lassi is a refreshing and cooling drink that can help keep children hydrated, especially during the hot summer months.
Peanut Butter Banana Yoghurt Popsicles
Peanut butter banana yoghurt popsicles are a kid-friendly snack option. They are a healthy and delicious treat that kids can enjoy during the hot summer months. These fun yet yummy popsicle bites are nothing short of miracles — they pack tons of vitamins, minerals, fibre, and protein — and they taste just like ice cream!
Just 5 ingredients go into these pops: bananas, peanut butter, Greek yoghurt, a touch of vanilla extract, and a teaspoon of mini chips to sweeten the deal. Puree everything in a food processor or blender, drop a few chips into the bottom of your popsicle moulds, fill them up, and freeze them for a few hours.
The banana and the peanut butter not only give these popsicles lots of nutrition, but they also give them an extra creamy texture, just like ice cream! You can substitute a sprinkle of granola for the chocolate chips to transform these into breakfast pops.
It is important to note that these popsicles are a good source of fat due to the peanut butter, but it is still important to consume them in moderation. The ideal portion size of this dish for a child will depend on their age, size, and activity level. As a general guideline, a single popsicle should be sufficient for a child as a snack or dessert.
Veggie Chips
Baked vegetable chips made from kale, sweet potato, or zucchini are a crunchy and flavourful snack option that is both kid-friendly and nutritious. They are low in calories, high in fibre and vitamins, and free of artificial flavours and preservatives.
They are a fun and tasty snack that kids enjoy eating. Homemade veggie chips are made with real vegetables, which are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Eating veggie chips is an easy way to introduce kids to new vegetables and encourage them to eat more healthy foods. Veggie chips are crunchy and flavourful, making them a great alternative to traditional potato chips or other unhealthy snack options.
They are easy to make at home, and kids can help with slicing the vegetables, seasoning the chips, and baking them in the oven. This is a great way to get kids interested in cooking and healthy eating.
Homemade Granola Bars
Homemade granola bars made with oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit are a delicious and healthy snack option that kids will love. They are easy to make and can be customised with different flavours and ingredients to suit individual tastes. Homemade granola bars are high in fibre, protein, and healthy fats, making them a filling and nutritious snack option.
Granola bars are sweet, chewy, and packed with flavour and important nutrients. They are made with whole grains, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit, which are all great sources of fibre, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals. They are also free of the artificial flavours and preservatives that are often found in store-bought granola bars.
Greek Yoghurt Parfait
Greek yoghurt parfait is a kid-friendly snack that is rich in protein, probiotics, and calcium, which are important for bone health and digestion. It is made with Greek yoghurt, fresh fruits like blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, nuts, seeds, and a sprinkle of granola.
Greek yoghurt is a great source of protein and calcium, which help support healthy bones, muscles, and growth. Fruits like berries and bananas provide important vitamins and minerals, as well as natural sweetness. Nuts and seeds add healthy fats, fibre, and protein.
It's easy to make and can be made in advance. Greek yoghurt parfait can be assembled in advance and stored in the fridge until ready to eat, making it a convenient and easy snack option for busy parents and kids.
Smoothie Bowls
Smoothie bowls are a delicious and nutritious breakfast or snack that is packed with essential nutrients. They're made with a blend of fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, and vegetables and provide a good source of fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants, which are packed with nutrients and are important for kids' energy and brain function.
Kids are often attracted to bright colours and interesting textures, and smoothie bowls are perfect for this. They can be made with a variety of fruits and toppings, which makes them visually appealing and fun to eat. This makes them a great way to sneak some extra nutrition into your child's diet. Smoothie bowls can be customised to suit a child's individual taste preferences, as you can adjust the sweetness, add more or less of a particular fruit, or even add in some veggies like spinach or kale to increase the nutritional value.
Overall, these kid-friendly summer snacks are healthy and nutritious options that can provide important nutrients and energy for active kids. They are also easy to make at home and can be customised with a variety of ingredients to suit different tastes and preferences.