I can tell it’s summer? Because my kids need to be fed literally 24/7. Is it the heat that does it? Or the open access to the kitchen? I have no idea. But once the heat rises, so do my kids’ appetites for summer snacks. And ironically, my desire to be in the kitchen decreases.
Quick and easy are my main goals when it comes to summer snacks, treats, and meals. And a recipe the kids can help with is a definite winner in my book.
French 75 (for Mom)
Before we get into the kids’ food, let’s give a cheer to you. You made it through the school year and can now kick back and enjoy the slowness and calm of summer (haha funny joke right?). While summer is not always a peaceful time for everyone, my newly found favorite drink can hopefully bring you a little bit of respite.
Groovy Berry Goodness
My kids are obsessed with Pete the Cat. A recent favorite book in the series is Pete the Cat’s Groovy Bake Sale. In it, Pete creates a recipe for what he calls groovy berry goodness. Let’s say this is a winner for multiple reasons.
- Your kids can do it all on their own (with some supervision depending on age).
- No oven is required.
- Most ingredients you are likely to have already at home.
- It encourages summer reading when paired with the book.
Now the difficult part – there isn’t a real recipe. But hey that’s part of the fun…right!
I used:
-instant vanilla pudding
-8 oz whipped cream
-strawberries (as many as my son was content cutting)
-prepackaged chocolate chip cookies (no idea how many…but a lot – obviously)
The instructions are as follows:
- Follow the directions on the instant pudding box to make pudding.
- Cut up strawberries into whatever size pieces you would like.
- Break up cookies into small pieces.
- Mix pudding, whipped cream, strawberries, and cookies together.
- Scoop into cups or cupcake tins.
- Place in fridge (or freezer) for several hours.
- Enjoy!
Mug Pizza
At our house, pizza can be a snack or a meal. And this recipe can definitely satisfy both needs. Whether you like your pizza extra cheesy, loaded up with toppings, or gluten free, pizza mugs allow you to customize your own pizza. This is a great recipe to try when looking for summer snacks that are outside the box but will still be a crowd-pleaser.
S’more Bars
If S’mores and Rice Krispie Treats fell in love and had a baby, these S’more bars would be it. These bars are the perfect summer treat. These summer snacks combine the nostalgic summertime S’more without having to build a campfire.
They are ideal for making when hosting a large group or getting your kids to make a bake sale treat. Whenever you choose to make them, these treats won’t be sitting on your counter for long!
Banana Sushi
I love the creativity and simplicity of this snack. While, this recipe suggests toppings for the banana sushi, go wild and choose your own! I would definitely top mine with cereal, chocolate chips, and melted peanut butter drizzle. For another option, freeze the banana after making it so it becomes a cool frozen treat.
Smoothie Freezer Packs
I know smoothies aren’t a novel concept but hear me out on this one. I love this link for two reasons.
- The idea of having a premade smoothie base is something I had never thought of and definitely appreciate/will be utilizing.
- It reminded me that I can pre-package my smoothies. This grab and blend concept makes smoothie making easier and me less likely to spend money hitting up the smoothie shop around the corner.
Frozen Yogurt Bites
Frozen yogurt bites could not be easier! All you need is your kid’s favorite yogurt and fruit. Mix them together, freeze it, and voila! A new and improved yogurt snack that’s perfect for the Houston heat.
If you feel like adding a little pizzaz to your yogurt bites, find fun molds to make them in! A tip when looking for molds – opt for silicone molds as they are easier to remove once frozen.
Happy Summer Snacking!
Disclaimer: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates and other Affiliate Programs designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com, Target.com, Nordstrom, ABC Mouse, and other affiliate sites.
