Healthy & Fun Snacks for Kids

Snacking is important for children because their smaller stomachs fill up fast and they burn energy quickly.  Between meals, snacks can provide the nutrients and hydration they need.  Most kids don’t have time to finish their meals so snacks are a great way to replenish nutrients and minerals needed for their growing bodies.

As we head into trick or treat season, otherwise known as Halloween, kids are exposed to an excess amount of artificial food coloring and sugars contained in traditional Halloween treats.  But it’s also a time when kids should be encouraged to show their creativity and have fun with friends.  The key is to create fun and healthy snacks using fruits and vegetables that they will enjoy.

Try these delightful, easy to make recipes for a fun and healthy twist to Halloween snacking!

Peanut Butter Snails

Ingredients

2 Medium celery sticks

1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter

3 apple rings cut in half

4 pretzel sticks broken into thirds

12 mini sweet chocolate morsels

Directions

  • Cut each celery rib into thirds. Fill centers with half of the peanut butter. Spoon remaining peanut butter into small resealable food storage bag; snip one corner off to make small hole.
  • Pipe two lines of peanut butter on one side of each apple piece, following shape of apple. Insert apple pieces into peanut butter in celery pieces.
  • Place 2 mini morsels next to each other at one end of each piece of celery to resemble eyes. Place a pretzel piece over each eye to resemble antennas.

    Recipe and photo from Walmart.com

Orange Pumpkins

Cuties Mandarin Oranges

Celery stick cup in 1/4 pieces

Frankenguac

Ingredients

  • 3 medium ripe avocados, peeled and cubed
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • Tortilla chips
  • Sour cream, refried black beans and ripe olives, optional

Directions

In a small bowl, mash avocado with a fork. Stir in the onion, cilantro, lime juice and salt. Spoon guacamole onto a platter; shape into a rectangle. Place chips near the top of the head. Decorate face as desired with sour cream, refried black beans and olives.

Cucumber and Hummus

Cucumber cut in slices

Hummus (can substitute with guacamole)

Last but not least…

Smoothies are always a great way to add more vegetables into children’s diets.  The biggest problem is that kids are picky with texture and taste so making sure to combine the right combination of fruit and vegetables is key.  Using natural sweeteners such as honey or fresh juice is also a great way to optimize the taste.

I usually like to add a touch of protein to my kid’s smoothie.  I usually add 1 Tbsp. of Bone Broth to the recipe for an extra boost to the immune system.

Veggie & Fruit Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 cup peeled, chopped carrots

1 orange, peeled and chopped

1/2 cup of strawberries

1/2 frozen banana, chopped

1 cup of ice

1 Tbsp. of bone broth or 1 Tbsp. of Polarized bone broth (Great Lakes Collagen)

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