Delicious and Healthy Summer Snacks for Children

Topics: Health & Safety 

Age Range: Preschool 

Summer days are long, and whether your family is spending the day relaxing, or rushing around to different activities, snacks are essential to keep your child’s energy up. It can be easy to grab a bag of chips or a candy bar to keep your child happy, but these summer snacks are delicious and healthy alternatives.

Homemade ice pops

Children love ice pops, but parents often don’t love the added sugar. With an inexpensive and reusable ice pop mold, you can have more control over the ingredients of your child’s favorite summer snack. Here are some ideas for homemade ice pops:

  • 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt and ½ cup frozen berries, blended together
  • ½ cup of plain Greek yogurt, two ripe bananas, and ¼ cup of peanut butter, blended together
  • 2 cups of almond or coconut milk, two ripe bananas, and honey to taste, blended together
  • 2 cups of orange juice, 2 cups fruit of your choice, blended together

Veggies and dip

According to a study by the Center for Childhood Obesity Research at Pennsylvania State University, 64% of children were more likely to eat a vegetable if paired with their favorite dip.

Many families opt for store-bought dips such as hummus or guacamole, but you can also make your own dips based on your child’s preferences. For example, you can grate half a cucumber, and mix it with half to a quarter cup of plain yogurt and a squeeze of lemon juice. If your child finds the flavors of traditional dips such as guacamole too strong, you may want to make your own and adjust the ingredients.

Snack wraps

Busy families love wraps because they are infinitely customizable and often require no cooking at all. Try these fillings next time your child needs a quick snack:

  • Plain or herbed cream cheese with your child’s favorite raw vegetables
  • Hummus with pre-cooked chicken breasts and cucumber
  • Peanut butter with banana slices

Peanut butter and banana cookies

Using only oats, powdered peanut butter, and bananas, these homemade cookies are quick and easy. If you have a picky eater, the peanut butter will add a familiar and pleasing flavor to the oats and bananas. You can also add in other ingredients such as raisins and walnuts.

Get the recipe for 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Banana Cookies

Healthy mini muffins

Many store-bought muffins are high in sugar and low in nutritious ingredients. However, making a batch of muffins at home doesn’t have to take up a lot of time, and you can decide which ingredients are added. Mini muffins are a great snack that are also portable, so you can prevent hunger-based meltdowns when you and your child are on the go.

Try these Healthy Toddler-Friendly Mini Muffins from The Busy Baker.

Summertime snacks should be light and easy to make. With these ideas for delicious and healthy summer snacks, you can ensure your child gets the energy and nutrition they need to help them enjoy their summertime activities.