8 Simple & Delicious Summer Snacks for Kids

With my kids’ snacking at an all-time high over the summer months, I am always looking for new and healthy ideas for snacks for them. It’s easy to turn to junk food when you’re already stretched for time, but with a little preparation, you can have healthy and filling snacks ready when your kids start rummaging through the pantry. Now to my round-up of 8 simple, healthy & delicious summer snacks for kids.

Tropical Mango Smoothie

For this recipe, you only need a blender. Fruit smoothies are delicious, easy to make, and full of nutrients. The key is the smoothies taste amazing without loading them up with sugar. The tropical mango smoothie does just that!

Ingredients

1. 1 cup frozen pineapple 
2. 1 cup frozen mango 
3. 3/4 cup Coconut milk 
4. 1/4 cup Orange juice (optional)

Preparation

1. Add the frozen pineapple and mango to a blender. Frozen fruits add a nice chill to the smoothie without watering it down.
2. Add a splash of coconut milk.
3. Add the orange juice.
4. Blend everything and serve immediately (or stick it in the fridge for later).

Homemade Vegan Berry Ice Cream

Ingredients

1. 4 super-ripe frozen banana (I cut bananas into slices and freeze on a pan before storing them so you can grab as many slices as you like.)
2. 1/4 cup Vanilla almond milk 
3. 1 cup of mixed berries
4. 1/8 tsp pure vanilla extract

Preparation

1. Start with making the base for the ice cream. Add the super-ripe frozen bananas and a splash of vanilla almond milk to a food processor and blend on high until you get a soft-serve texture.
2. Add the berries and vanilla extract.
3. Pulse till the berries are incorporated into the base.
4. Pop it in the freezer for around 40 minutes to firm it up and achieve an ice cream texture.

Homemade Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream

Ingredients

1. 4 super-ripe frozen banana
2. 1/4 cup Vanilla almond milk 
3. 4 tbsp Cocoa powder 
4. 1/8 tsp pure vanilla extract
5. Vegan dark chocolate chunks

Preparation

1. Start with making the base for the ice cream. Add the super-ripe frozen bananas, a splash of vanilla almond milk, and cocoa powder to a food processor and blend on high until you get a soft-serve texture.
2. Add the vegan dark chocolate chunks.
3. Pulse till the dark chocolate chunks are incorporated into the base.
4. Pop it in the freezer for around 40 minutes to firm it up and achieve an ice cream texture.

Watermelon Mint Slushie

A frosty treat 100% free from artificial flavors and dyes. For this recipe, you will need a high powered blender or food processor.  

Ingredients

1. Frozen watermelons chunks
2. Mint leaves

Preparation

1. Add the frozen watermelon to a high-powered blender.
2. Add a few mint leaves and blend.
3. Serve immediately.

Mixed Berry Popsicle

These are the best summer frozen treat! For this recipe, you will need a popsicle mold and a high powered blender or food processor. 

Ingredients

1.    1 cup raspberries
2.   1 cup blueberries
3.   1 cup blackberries
4.   2 cups sliced strawberries
5.   6 tbsp. of simple syrup or sweetener of choice

Preparation

1. Add the raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries to a blender or food processor and purée until smooth.
2. If using frozen berries, you may need to add a few tablespoons of water to slightly thin out fruit puree mixture.
3. Add the simple syrup to add sweetness.
4. Transfer pureed berry mixture to the popsicle mold.
5. Freeze for 4 hours. Insert popsicle sticks and freeze an additional 4 to 6 hours, or until frozen solid.

Strawberry (any berry) Oat Crumble Bars

Ingredients

1. 1 1/2 cups oat flour (blend quick-cooking oats to make your own)
2. 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats (improves texture)
3. 1/2 cup brown sugar
4. 2 tbsp granulated sugar
5. 1 tsp baking powder
6. 1/2 tsp salt
7. 1/2 cup melted butter
8. 2 cups halved strawberries (substitute with your preferred berries)
9. 1 tbsp cornstarch
10. 1 tsp vanilla extract
11. 1/2 tsp lemon juice

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper with an overhang on both sides to make it easy to lift out the bars after baking.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the oat flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the melted butter and mix until it is thoroughly combined.
3. Transfer two-thirds of the oat mixture into the baking dish and press it down firmly to create a solid crust.
4. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Simmer, stirring often, until the strawberries mixture begins to thicken up( 6 to 8 minutes).
5. Pour the strawberry mixture over the oat base. Crumble the remaining oat mixture on top of the strawberry mixture in an even layer.
6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
7. Allow the oat bars to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes and then in the refrigerator for an additional 30 minutes. Once they are completely set, cut them into squares.
8. Enjoy!

Blueberry Tarts

Ingredients

1. 12 store-bought mini tart shells
2. 2 cups blueberries
3. 1/4 cup sugar
4. 1 tbsp cornstarch
5. 1/2 lemon zest and juice

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Arrange the tart shells on a baking sheet.
2. In a large bowl, add the blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Mix until the blueberries are evenly coated.
3. Fill the tart shells with the blueberry mixture.
4. Bake the tarts until the blueberries burst and the crust is golden( 25 minutes.)
5. Allow the tarts to cool before serving
6. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Final Thoughts

 In my summer staycation ideas post, I mentioned that it’s a great time to have fun in the kitchen with the kids. Adding in quality family time with your kids as you prepare simple and delicious snacks is a great way to get your kids interested in eating a variety of foods.