The kids are out of school for summer and this means they’ll be spending more time at home. It seems to be inevitable that a few things they’ll be looking for are something to eat and activities to do. A great way for kids to stay active during the summer is by getting them involved in the kitchen. They can even help prep their healthy snacks and meals. For example, make snack time into an activity such as making a fruit necklace out of berries and grapes, or make homemade frozen yogurt pops! When kids help in the kitchen, they also benefit from obtaining math, reading, and life skills. For example, reading and following recipes, measuring ingredients, etc. are all beneficial tasks they can help with.
Take Advantage of the Summer
There are so many fresh fruits and vegetables available in the summertime, so why not use them as an opportunity to increase the intake of these food groups? Kids can even help in the garden by growing their produce, which has been shown to increase acceptance of eating vegetables. Gardening can also provide your kids with a healthy way to stay active during the summer months.
How to Promote Healthy Snacks
When healthy snacks aren’t available, we often turn to more calorie-dense options such as chips and candy. If you have some extra time during the week, plan to prepare your fruits and vegetables for the coming week. You can even make a designated location in the fridge and pantry for healthy snacks, so kids and other family members can easily find and access them. Dips seem to be a popular addition when it comes to eating fresh fruits and vegetables. If you’re looking for a quick and easy recipe or some snack inspiration, please see below for a few ideas.
Snack Ideas:
- Homemade Popcorn
- Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits
- Hummus and Vegetables
- Frozen Grapes
- Fruit and Cheese Kabobs
- Guacamole and Whole grain crackers
- Fruit Salad
- Veggie Cups
- Smoothies
- Homemade Granola Bars
- Energy Bites
- Unsweetened Applesauce
- Fruit and Veggie Muffins
- Homemade Trail Mix
- Fruit Leather
- Watermelon Wedges
- Frozen Yogurt Fruit Bark
Written By: Shelley Balls, University of Wyoming Extension- Nutrition and Food Safety Educator
Sources:
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, eatright.org
- United States Department of Agriculture, usda.gov
