Written by: Emily Holdorf, MS, RDN
This summer, turn your kitchen (and backyard!) into a playground of flavor. From chilled smoothies to picnic-perfect veggie snacks, there are endless ways to keep kids engaged, happy and full of produce-packed goodness. Let “snack-tivities” be your go-to for summer smiles and feel-good bites.
Build A Backyard Smoothie Bar
Create your own cool-down station right at home! Set up a DIY smoothie bar with an assortment of fruits like mangoes, berries, bananas and pineapple. Toss in a few handfuls of spinach, kale or riced cauliflower for a veggie boost. Let kids mix and match their own blends. Here’s more DIY smoothie bar inspo!
Pizza Night, Summer-Style
Load up whole grain flatbreads with fresh tomatoes, zucchini, corn and bell peppers. Then grill them outdoors for seasonal and flavorful twist on a classic. And for dessert? Layer fresh fruit on a watermelon “pizza” base and top with a dollop of yogurt or whipped cream for a refreshing finale.
Chill Out With No-Cook Veggie Snacks
When it’s too hot to cook, it’s time to get snack-smart. Try a crunchy rainbow veggie board with bell pepper strips, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and snap peas paired with a creamy hummus or Greek yogurt dip. Or assemble easy “veggie boats” using halved zucchinis or celery sticks filled with tuna or chicken salad, nut butter or a scoop of guacamole.
Fruity Frozen Treats
Transform ripe fruit into fun frozen desserts! Blend watermelon or strawberries into homemade popsicles, or freeze grapes and blueberries for a naturally sweet icy snack. Want to take it up a notch? Make banana “ice cream” by blending frozen bananas with a splash of milk and your favorite fruit add-ins. Try this Cherry Lime Sorbet for a quick cool-down snack.
Food Art, Picnic-Style
Let creativity run wild with edible art that’s perfect for picnic weather. Make fruit kabobs with colorful patterns, or let kids design their own “garden toast” using whole grain bread, cream cheese, and sliced veggies shaped into flowers. These snackable masterpieces are just as fun to make as they are to eat.
For more kid-friendly “snack-tivity” ideas, visit Have A Plant’s kid-friendly recipe section.
The post Snack-tivities For Summer Fun, written by registered dietician Emily Holdorf, first appeared in The Foundation for Fresh Produce’s Have A Plant® blog.
