Warm Weather Kid Snacks!

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GREAT STUFFED VEGGIE  SNACKS

BUGS ON A LOG...

 
MAKE 'LOGS' from any of these foods:

 •CELERY STALKS (cut to about 3 inches long)

 •APPLES (cut in halves or quarters with cores removed)

 •CARROT STICKS (cut to about 3 inches long)

FILL THE 'LOGS' WITH A SPREAD

• Cream Cheese

• Cream cheese and pineapple

• Cheese and pimento

• Peanut butter

• Egg salad

SPRINKLE 'BUGS' ON THE SPREAD:

• Raisins

• Golden raisins

• Dried cranberries or cherries

• Raisenettes candy

• Unsweetened cereal

• Sunflower seeds

• Chopped peanuts of finely chopped walnuts

• Mix in chopped apple or crushed pinapple

CELERY WITH REESES PEANUT BUTTER CHIPS
4 stalks celery, sliced into 1-inch pieces
1 cup REESE'S Peanut Butter Chips
1 (8-ounce) container light cream cheese product, softened
1/4 cup nonfat milk
Optional: 1/8 teaspoon bon appétit seasoning (or dash each of celery seed, onion powder and salt)
Snack crackers (Optional)

• Place peanut butter chips in small microwave-safe bowl.

• Microwave at HIGH (100%) 30 seconds to 1 minute or until chips are melted when stirred; cool slightly.

• Beat cream cheese product and milk in small bowl until fluffy; beat in melted chips and seasoning.

• Place or pipe rounded teaspoon peanut butter chip mixture in hollow of each celery piece.

• Cover; refrigerate until ready to serve.

• Spread 1/2 teaspoonful peanut butter mixture on snack crackers, if desired; place prepared celery pieces on top. Makes about 2 1/2 dozen snacks.

FISH IN THE STREAM
Fill celery with cream cheese and top them with goldfish crackers!

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SNACKS TO TAKE OUTSIDE...

 #1 CHEERIO NECKLACES
String Cheerios or Fruit loops onto a piece of yarn or string.
Tie ends together so that they slip easily around a child’s head.
Children can munch on them while playing. (For an extra treat-they can also be strung on very long and thin red licorice candy.) 

#2 MARSHMALLOW STICKS
Let children make their own snack.
Set out some small marshmallows and some thin pretzel sticks.
Have children stick a pretzel in each marshmallow.
Store in a small zip-lock bag.

 #3 BASIC TRAIL MIX

 
This is a great "take-along field trip snack" or "take it outdoors snack"... It will also help you clean out those "little leftovers" in your food storage.

Good all year long...
1.  In a large bowl, add any type of cereals (Cheerios, Kix, Rice Krispies, etc.)
2.  Mix in pretzel sticks, fish crackers, small snack crackers, raisins, oyster crackers, M&M's, etc.
3.  Almost anything that is left-over in the pantry.
4.  Mix well, and place in individual sandwich baggies or paper cups.

 #4 ANTS IN THE SAND
2 Graham crackers
Chocolate sprinkles
1.  Place graham crackers in a plastic sandwich bag and crush with a rolling pin.
2.  Add a few chocolate sprinkles to make ants, then seal the bag.
3.  Give the bag to the kids to take outside to eat; they can also pour it into a small bowl and eat at the table (Using their fingers, of course.)

Variations:
Add raisins (Call them beetles)
Red Hots candy (ladybugs)
Mini chocolate chips (spider eggs).
1 Serving

#5 SPRING AND SUMMER TIME CHICKEN FEED
Make a bowl of Chicken Feed by tossing together crisp, shoestring potatoes, salted corn nuts, shelled sunflower seeds, pistachios, dried blueberries and unsweetened coconut flakes for a crunchy, nutty treat.
(Leave out whatever you don't like)

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SUNBAKED S'MORES- Solar-Made S'Mores

• Have children place one graham cracker sheet in a foil pie plate
• Sprinkle with chocolate chips, and miniature marshmallows.
• Cover the pie plate with tin foil, and label tins for each child.
• Place outside in a sunny hot place, check after 10 minutes.
• They are done when the sun has melted the chocolate and marshmallow. Yummy! 
•  (You need to do this experiment when it is at least 85° F. If it isn’t hot enough outside, wait for a warmer day.)

MAKE SOLAR OVENS…

• Take a shoe box and line the inside with foil (shiny side showing).
• Then take a kabob skewer and put it through the long way.
• Put plastic wrap over the top and you have an oven.
• The most successful things you can cook are marshmallows and hot dogs.
• Just set outside on a sunny afternoon!!!
• The kids will find it great fun (Also, you get science and snack all in one).

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FIVE BANANA RECIPES

#1 BANANA IN A BLANKET

1 (6 inch) tortilla
1 tablespoon smooth peanut butter
1 medium banana
1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey
1 tablespoon crunchy, nutty nugget cereal
1.  Lay tortilla on a plate.
2.  Spread peanut butter evenly on the tortilla.
3.  Sprinkle cereal over peanut butter.
4.  Peel and place banana on the tortilla and roll the tortilla.
5.  Drizzle maple syrup or honey on top.

#2 FROZEN BANANA POPS
Need:
Popsicle sticks
Bananas (cut in half),
Creamy Peanut Butter or dip-able chocolate-ready to dip
Crushed cookies, granola, or graham crackers
1.  Cut bananas in half and stick a Popsicle stick into the banana - so it looks like a Popsicle.
2.  Freeze for about 10 min.
3.  Coat the bananas with peanut butter or dip it in chocolate.
4.  Next dip into the crushed cereal mixture. (Or any of the ingredients below-in #3)
5.  Crushed fruit loops work well.

#3 CHOCOLATE DIPPED BANANA CHUNKS

Bananas - Peel the bananas and slice into several pieces.
Place the 8 oz. chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and cook on high until melted - about 1 minute, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.
Optional: Dip the banana slices in the chocolate, then roll them in other ingredients as desired: Colored sugars...cinnamon sugar...peanut butter... chopped nuts...coconut... ice cream sprinkles...crushed cookies.

#4 FROZEN MONKEY TREATS
A healthy snack that kids will like! Peel a banana and cut it in half.

• Insert Popsicle sticks into the cut ends.
• Dip the bananas into yogurt --- and then roll the bananas in chopped nuts, crushed cereal, or coconut shavings.
• Place the bananas on a small waxed paper-lined baking sheet and set the sheet into the freezer for an hour or so.
• Fun to make and even more fun to eat!

#5 QUICK BANANA ICE
1.  Take a few bananas and mash them in a bowl.
2.  Cover and place in the freezer for about 30 minutes.
3.  Remove from freezer, fluff up with fork for a healthy, ice cream like treat.

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No Bake Cookies are Great in the Summer!!!

PEANUT-BUTTER No-Bake Cookies
   • 1/2 cup butter
   • 2 cups sugar
   • 1/2 cup water
   • 2 tablespoons cocoa
   • 1/2 cup peanut butter
   • 3 cups oatmeal or 1 cup coconut
Mix butter, sugar, water and cocoa together, bring to a boil and let boil for no longer than 30 seconds. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and your choice of oatmeal or coconut. Drop on wax paper using EITHER a heaping teaspoon or tablespoon -- let harden.

***For 25 other NO BAKE COOKIE RECIPES click here 

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A VARIETY OF SNACK IDEAS...

MUFFIN PIZZA (Good all year long!)
1 English muffin or bagel, split and toasted
4 teaspoons pizza sauce or tomato puree
3 tablespoons shredded part- skim mozzarella cheese
Place English muffins on clean work surface.
Spread each toasted muffin with 2 teaspoons pizza sauce
and 1-1/2 tablespoons cheese.
Spread with topping choices.
Place on baking sheet or place in toaster oven and bake at 350°F, about 10 minutes or until hot and cheese has melted.

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SANDWICH ON A STICK

Bread  
Cheese
Lunch meat
Grape tomatoes
Lettuce
Pickles
Olives
Ingredients can be put out in bowls and children take what they like to  slide onto skewers.

1. Cut up cubes of bread, cheese, and lunch meat (1/2-inch-thick cubes of ham and turkey are good).
2. Slide the cubes onto a skewer with other foods the children like, such as a grape tomato, a piece of lettuce, a pickle, or an olive.
3. Set out a side of mayo or mustard for dipping.
sarah/oakbrook

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MAKE A 'FLOWER' SNACK
1.  Soften a large package of cream cheese and ¾ pound of shredded American cheese.
2.  Mix together.
3.  Put a round scoop in the center of a paper plate.
4.  You could also use Peanut butter or cream cheese mixed with drained crushed pineapple!
5.  Have each child arrange five round shaped crackers around the "flower" center.
6.  Eat now or---cover with clear plastic wrap and chill.

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TURKEY ROLLUPS

Satisfy your salty, crunchy and savory cravings in one punch with this quick snack!

Ingredients:

4 slices deli turkey breast (about 2 ounces total)
8 teaspoons honey mustard or mango chutney
Optional: Freshly ground pepper to taste
8 sesame breadsticks
Spread each slice of turkey with 2 teaspoons mustard (or mango chutney)
Wrap each prepared turkey slice around 2 breadsticks

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MINI WRAPS
Lightly spread a tortilla with a little cream cheese and place one or two slices of thin ham or turkey over the cream cheese.
Roll tightly and cut into small rounds.

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FRUIT SALAD CONES
Mix together:
1 cup low fat vanilla yogurt
1 sliced banana
1 (11oz) can Mandarin oranges (drained)
1 (8 oz) can pineapple chunks (drained)
¼ c miniature marshmallows
Spoon into 3-4 ice cream cones.

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SWEET TORTILLA SHAPES

• Using small fun shaped cookie cutters-- cut shapes out of a flour tortilla.
• Place on non-stick cookie sheet and lightly brush with a little butter.
• Lightly sprinkle (you only need a little) with a mixture of 1 part cinnamon and 3 parts brown sugar.
• Bake in a moderately hot oven for 10 minutes for a sweet and crispy treat.

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FROM THE FREEZER IDEAS...

 

ICE-CREAM SANDWICHES

Ingredients:

Graham crackers any flavor
Ice cream
Plastic wrap
Let the ice cream get to a soft consistency.
Take the graham crackers and spread one half with about half cup ice cream.
Put another graham cracker on top and wrap with plastic wrap. Freeze for about 3 hours.

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HOMEMADE ICE-CREAM SANDWICHES
All you need is chocolate graham crackers and cool whip. (any flavor) Spread cool whip on top of graham crackers.
Put another graham cracker on top and cover them with saran wrap or put in freezer bags.
Freeze for an hour or more...enjoy!

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 Spread a layer of FROZEN YOGURT over graham crackers (similar to an ice-cream sandwich) and put in to the freezer until snack time. Delicious and nutritious warm weather snack...

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FROZEN S'MORES

Want a fun treat to make with the kids that involves absolutely NO cooking or baking? These yummies are perfect for the warm days or nights!
Ingredients:
    • 1/2 cup mini-chocolate chips
    • 2/3 cup mini-marshmallows
    • 2 cups whipped topping
    • 1 box of graham crackers, any flavor
Directions:
In a large bowl with a wooden spoon, stir together first three ingredients (chocolate chips, mini marshmallows and whipped topping). Mix well.
Scoop mixture onto a graham cracker square, sandwich with another square.
Continue making sandwiches until all of the mixture has been used up. Put sandwiches into the freezer for approximately 1 1/2 hours, or until frozen. Serve frozen.

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TRY TO FIND 'mini' ice cream cones and fill them with yogurt.
Your kids may like them this way… or poke holes in an egg carton and stand them up so they can go in the freezer. A big hit and even the youngest ones can hold it themselves.

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EASY SNOW CONES
1.  To make each cone, place crushed ice in a paper cup.
2.  Mix one part unsweetened frozen apple or orange juice concentrate with one part water.
3.  Pour the diluted concentrate over the ice.

GENERAL GUIDE TO JUICE SNOW CONES (Good for Home)

• Freeze orange juice (or any other flavored juice) in ice cube trays. When frozen put frozen juice cubes in a plastic bag to store.
• Put three to six of these cubes at a time in a blender.
• Pulse the blender -on then off, on then off, until cubes have a snowy consistency. Pile into a cup to serve.

TIP: If you blend the entire batch at once, it will keep its carnival consistency stored in a container in the freezer. Kids can serve themselves. Adding a little water makes it “slush". Even kids who don't care for orange juice like it this way!

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MAKE JELL-O following the directions. BUT...
Instead of putting in cold water, use vanilla or plain yogurt.
Pour into individual cups; put into the refrigerator or freezer till set. Yummy and good...

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FIVE HOMEMADE POPSICLES

 

#1 WATERMELON POPSICLES

I cup seedless watermelon chunks
1 cup unsweetened orange juice
1 cup water.
Blend all ingredients together in a blender.
Pour into small paper cups.
Place in freezer and, when partially frozen, insert Popsicle sticks or small plastic spoons for handles.
When completely frozen, unmold by pouring hot water over bottoms of cups.

#2 FRESH FRUIT POPSICLES
Take fresh fruit juice (except pineapple juice which does not freeze well) and pour it into small paper cups or ice cube trays.
Insert Popsicle sticks.
Freeze until solid.
Remove Popsicle from cup by running under hot water for about 10 seconds.

#3 HOMEMADE FROZEN POPS
1 6-oz. can softened frozen juice concentrate softened
Try orange, grape, or fruit punch
1 juice can water
2 containers of plain yogurt
Popsicle sticks and/or cups
.....Process in blender.
.....Pour into cups and insert sticks.
.....Freeze.
.....Small paper cups work  well as molds for these recipes.

#4 JUICE CUBES
You'll need an ice cube tray that makes larger size ice cubes
Popsicle sticks
Cling wrap
Fruit juice
.....Pour the juice into the tray.
.....Cover it with the wrap.
.....Poke the sticks through the plastic into each cube section.
.....For an extra special treat, put a grape or strawberry into each section before covering.

#5 MAKE YOUR OWN PUDDING POPS
1 small pkg. instant pudding mix--any flavor
1 3/4 cup low fat milk
Mix as directed on package.
Pour into molds and add sticks.
Freeze

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MAKE POLAR BEAR CUPS

First put ice cream and then a layer of your choice of candy--- M&M's, Kisses, Chocolate or Peanut Butter Chips. Cover candy layer with Cool Whip...Decorate with Gummi Bears.