5 Nutritious Summer Treats Your Kids Will Love
Summer is a fun and enjoyable time for young children of all ages. These five easy and healthful treats will help keep your child energised and cool every day during the warm summer months.
1. Quick Banana Sorbet
This quick banana sorbet is a perennial favourite with young children, and is a wonderfully creamy dessert for children with dairy sensitivity. It’s easy to clean up too, leaving no stains on childrens clothing or furniture.
Ingredients
Ripe bananas
Instructions
- Peel bananas and cut into bite sized chunks. Place chunks on flat tray or plate.
- Freeze the bananas for one to two hours.
- Blend in food processor or blender. Scrap down the sides and blend again as necessary.
- Serve in cones or small bowls.
2. Frozen Berries
Frozen berries are another healthy delicious summer treat guaranteed to please even the pickiest palate. Their colourful appearance is very appealing to young children. As berry juice can stain boys and girls clothes, frozen berries are a great way to serve berries to younger children.
Ingredients
Berries of your choice. Choose from a colourful combination of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, boysenberries, blackberries, or any other berry of your choice.
Instructions
- Wash and dry the berries.
- Place in individual containers or snack bags for serving.
- Keep in the freezer until serving time.
3. White Bean Dip
White beans (cannellini beans) are one of the most versatile and healthy foods available. Buy fresh beans and soak overnight before cooking, or use ready-cooked canned beans.
Ingredients
- 1 can of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed.
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Dash of lemon juice.
- 1 garlic clove (optional).
- Dried herbs of your choice.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions
- Blend ingredients until smooth. Serve warm or cold with crusty toast, corn chips, or any other bread or crisp bread of choice.
4. Fruit Smoothie Icy poles
Smoothie icy poles are a healthy alternative to traditional icy poles. Made with real fruit, this quick snack can be made with your child’s favourite fruit flavours. If you’re using lemon or other citrus fruits, add more sweetener to balance out the sourness.
Ingredients
- Any fruit or fruit juice of your choice. Bananas and strawberries are top kid’s favourites.
- 1 tablespoon of healthy sweetener, such as agave, brown rice syrup, or honey.
- Dash of cinnamon (optional).
- ½ cup of natural yoghurt.
- 2 cups of skim milk.
- Ice cubes.
Preparation
- Blend all ingredients until mixture is smooth.
- Pour into icy pole moulds. Freeze for three to four hours before serving.
5. Nibble Tray
A nibble tray is a fun and creative way to serve summer snacks to young children. Trays can be prepared ahead of time for a simple lunch. Kids will love the colour and variety on a nibble tray.
Preparation
- Use a colourful muffin tray or bento box.
- Fill slots with bite-sized snacks.
- Ideas include cheese cubes, fruit slices, melon balls, pasta salad, potato salad, muffins, steamed vegetables, raw vegetable sticks, popcorn, cherry tomatoes, chocolate chips, savoury chips, nuts and seeds, raisins, crackers, pretzels, and dips.
