If you have little ones in your family, odds are that snacks during the summer time are a challenge for you. Your kiddos are often times hot and uncomfortable, and may turn their nose up at things that they might enjoy during the school year. When your little ones have just come in from an afternoon of playing in the yard, they are sweaty and tired. They are probably going to refuse any hot plate of anything you put in front of them. If you are at a loss at what to give your kids to munch on during the warm months, here are a couple of quick, easy suggestions that will keep them satisfied and you sane.
One: cool, bite sized yogurt drops. This snack is so simple, and can last you ages from just one containers of yogurt. All you have to do is buy a large containers of yogurt from the store, in the flavor of your family’s choice, such as strawberry. Then, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. With a spoon, drop quarter sized dollops of yogurt on the sheet until the containers is empty. Freeze the tray for one or two hours. While your yogurt drops are freezing, wash out your yogurt containers and dry it. Then, once your delicious frozen treats are solid (usually after about two hours) just drop them back into the container and freeze! One cool, fruity dollop is enough to keep a child occupied for a while.
Two: Gatorade pops will hydrate and replenish your little ones’ bodies. All you need for this treat are paper straws, Gatorade, and a cheap plastic ice tray. Fill the ice tray containers with the Gatorade, and cut the plastic straws to about two or three inches in length. Then, lay the straw pieces down in the ice trays. Freeze until solid, and your Gatorade pops are good to go!
Three: home made parfait containers can disguise nutritious foods in a sweet treat. You can layer vanilla yogurt, chocolate coated granola, strawberries, honey, flax seed, and protein powder all in a handy little dessert cup. Your kiddos can snag these tasty treats right out of the fridge and eat them as they go.
We love our kids, and we want them to be hydrated and healthy in the summer. Thankfully, there are ways to make sure they are getting the nutrition and the water they need to stay safe, even if they don’t realize it.
