Kids in the kitchen: 4 healthy and easy summer snack ideas

If there’s one thing parents of preschoolers know to be true, it’s this: there’s no such thing as too many snacks. Because no matter what you’re doing – lazing around the house or gearing up for an excursion – kids will ask for snacks; loudly and often. It’s easy to run out of inspiration when you’re trying to whip up new child-friendly refreshment options every hour of every day. Especially when they need to be easy, nutritious and portable. That’s where we come in. We’ve pulled together recipes for fresh, summer snacks that are so simple the kids can help make them. Plus, they’re transportable and are based on seasonal produce – which keeps costs low.

Coconut banana bread

Image credit: Super Healthy Kids

Bored of banana bread? Us too. Branch out with Super Healthy Kids’ recipe for a dreamy coconut version. Made with Greek yoghurt (for added protein), it’s studded with flakes of toasted coconut and finished with lime juice for a tropical twist. It’s a mix and bake job that older kids will be able to handle alone. Smaller children will be able to do most of the work under supervision. To make it portable, bake in a muffin tin.

For containers to tote snacks and keep them cool in, try Big W, House, Matchbox, Kmart or Target.

Sheet pan pancakes

Image credit: My Fussy Eater

My Fussy Eater’s recipe for healthy sheet pan pancakes doesn’t require standing over a hot stove. In other words, it’s genius for cooking with kids. All you need to do is whiz up the batter in a blender, then tip it into a baking tray. Next, ask your little helper to sprinkle their choice of fruit on top, and bung it all in the oven. Delicious when eaten warm, they’re also good cold. For extra protein, serve with Greek yoghurt for dipping.

Pre-order your fresh produce or pick it up from Coles or Marketplace Fresh.

Ants on a log

Image credit: I heart naptime

A retro classic, this simple snack is often the perfect answer to the question: ‘what can I feed my kids?’ Packed with protein, courtesy of peanut butter, it’s filling and quick to make. (If your child has a peanut allergy, swap out the PB for a seed butter.) If you’re keen to experiment beyond the traditional celery, PB and raisin combo, I heart naptime has got the goods. For smaller kiddos, chop up the celery then let them decorate their ‘logs’.

Fruit pizza crackers

Image credit: Homemade Ginger

Follow Homemade Ginger’s lead with this recipe for fruit ‘pizza’ crackers. Wholesome and fun to eat, they’re especially good for those “we’re-running-late” situations because they only take a few minutes to pull together. Stir a squeeze of honey into softened cream cheese to make a spread, then smear over whole-grain crispbreads. Next, hand over to the kids to add their fruit toppings. Try diced nectarine, cherries or grapes.

Don’t forget to pack a drink bottle. Try Big W, Typo, Smiggle, Adairs or Bed Bath N Table.