Make snack time a fun time for your children.
During your child's snack time, it can be difficult to balance food that is good for them to eat versus those that they want to eat. Sugary treats and pre-packaged snacks are easy fixes that most kids love, but aren't healthy choices. With a little creativity, you can avoid those items and provide your child with food that is tasty and fun to eat.
Cookie cutter sandwiches
Most kids enjoy fun shapes that are interesting to look at and will spark their imaginations. Use your child's favorite cookie cutters to cut stars, hearts or even snowmen out of slices of bread. Spread a layer of peanut butter and jelly and top with an identical cut-out to make a quick and imaginative snack. Cookie cutters can also be used when making grilled cheese sandwiches.
Cookie Cutter Kabobs
Cookie cutters can also make cheese more interesting. High in protein and calcium, cheese makes for a healthy snack for little ones, even if it isn't one that they will pick up and eat on their own. Make it interesting by cutting slices of cheese that are of a medium thickness. Get your kids involved and let them use the cookie cutters to cut out their favorite shapes. If they are old enough, they can also place them on bamboo skewers along with berries, such as blueberries or strawberries and slices of melon that have also been cut into creative shapes. If your kids are too small for kabobs, place pretzel sticks into the center of the cheese cut-out or pile on cut up fruit. This way they can have a portable snack to nibble.
Frozen Banana Pops
Rich in potassium, bananas are another healthy food that can still be fun to eat. Cut large bananas in half and smear them with peanut butter before rolling them in your child's favorite cereal or nuts. Be creative and cover them with sprinkles or even add a few chocolate chips. Push Popsicle sticks through the bottom of each half, wrap in waxed paper and freeze for 3 to 4 hours.
Hot Dog People
Turn hot dogs exciting and funny by creating mini people out of them. Decorate the dogs by using ketchup for lips and even pants; squeeze mustard for hair and eyes and add small drops of relish for buttons. Once you've gotten the hang of cutting and creating the hot dog men, try other creations such as a hot dog octopus.
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