20 Healthy Summer Snacks for Kids

Hello there!  

I hope your children are staying cool at the pool or even running through sprinklers, I know we have been over here!  Is it just me or does it seem like kids want to eat more in the summer?  We are always on the go and I feel like I am scrounging to find something to give my son to eat before we are off the next activity.  Well, the snacks we give our children don't have to be full of sugar, fat and empty calories (like I find most packaged and quick snacks to be). We can offer them something so much better!  

Here is a list of some healthy, easy to make snacks for kids (and parents too!) These quick "go-to" ideas are bound to help busy moms and dads like you and me develop healthy snacking habits in our kids.  So, here you go!

20 Healthy Summer Snacks:  

1.  Jazzed Up Rice Cakes

Add some peanut butter and bananas to your rice cakes!  

2.  Quesadillas 

Make these with whole grain tortillas, cheese, chicken and beans. I recommend going heavy on the beans, light on the cheese.

3.  Real Fruit Popsicles 

Use a popsicle mold or even a plastic or paper cup.  Fill it with 100% juice from concentrate, water and chopped pieces of your child's favorite fruit.  Stick a popsicle stick in it and let freeze!

4.  Fresh Fruit and Cheese Kabobs

Pick your child's favorite fruits and make these super easy kabobs.  Make it even more fun by using cookie cutters to cut cheese into fun shapes.

5.  Cottage Cheese Bowl

Just 1/2 cup cottage cheese with dried apricot "scoops" or fresh apricots are even better!

6.  Whole Grain Cereal & Fresh Fruit

Keep it simple! Whole Grain Cheerios or Mini Wheats don't just have to be for breakfast.

7.  Green Rolls-ups

Wrap some meat and cheese in some lettuce and snack away!

8.  Frogs on a Log or Ants on a Log

Frogs on a Log- celery, cream cheese & sliced green olives. 
Ants on a Log- celery, peanut butter & raisins.

9.  Homemade Trail Mix

Mix dry roasted peanuts or almonds, whole grain mini pretzels, banana chips & diced apricots or raisins for a nutritious trail mix...and then head to the trails, why not?

10.  Salsa and avocado slices.

This one is just that simple.

11.  Frozen Grapes

Stick some grapes in the freezer and you have a great alternative for slush.  It's kind of nature's version of dippin' dots just a little (or a lot) bigger.  Your kids (and you) will love it!

12.  Air Pop Popcorn 

Make an activity out of snack time and let your kids watch you air pop some good ol' fashioned popcorn!  Skip the butter and sugar and just add some spices from your spice rack to jazz it up a bit. Get creative!

13.  Veggies & Dip

Mix some plain yogurt with ranch dip mix and dip your veggies in it.  Don't forget about broccoli --dinosaur trees ;) and cauliflower.  Your veggies don't always have to be carrots and celery!

14.  Graham Cracker Pizza

Did I hear pizza??  Yep!  Graham cracker pizza that is.  Get out those graham crackers and spread some cream cheese and sprinkle some fruit fruit on top.  Bon Apetito!

15.  Summer Smoothies

This is my go to and my most favorite from the list! I love how creative you can get with smoothies and you can even sneak things in that are healthy for the kids that they normally won't eat, like spinach!  Start with a base of nonfat yogurt or milk, add any frozen or fresh fruit, honey, ice (spinach if you are feeling brave) and...viola!  

16.  Petite Pitas 

All there is to it is eggs and salsa put into a whole grain pita!

17.  Veggies and Hummus

Refer to #13 for my suggestion on veggie choice! Oh, and might I add that sliced peppers are delicious in hummus.  Hummus is at your local grocery store or you can make your own! It is truly a delicious and healthy snack. Your kids will be eating beans and therefore getting protein without even knowing it. That is a win in my book!

18.  Frozen Banana Popsicle 

Put a peeled banana on a popsicle stick, freeze and you got a healthy popsicle.  Add some dark chocolate and nuts or frozen fruit to jazz it up a bit!

19.  Ham & Cheese Roll-ups 

Ham, cheese, lettuce and whole wheat tortilla all wrapped up!

20.  Apple Cupcakes

Slice an apple in half, on the flat side spread some peanut/almond butter and sprinkle dried fruit or even dark chocolate chips on top.

 

**Bonus Summer Snack: NICE CREAM!

This one is too good I couldn't leave it off the list so we will call it a bonus!  Get some very ripe frozen bananas, put in a blender and you will have the BEST, healthiest and sweetest ice cream.  Yep, no sugar or dairy added.  I am going to go make some right now!




I hope you find this list helpful!  What healthy summer snacks do you feed your children? We would love to know!


Sincerely,

Shalyse

Out of the House and Into Nature!

Summer is in full swing and there is no better way to experience this beautiful season than to spend time outside with our families!  

If you are like me, you enjoy being outside and you would be thrilled if your kids loved it as much as you do.  For some kids, putting down that electronic device and getting into nature can seem equivalent to doing chores...and let's be honest, convincing them that it is a good idea can be a chore for us parents as well.  The good news is that's what I am here for! Today's post is full of ideas to get your children out of the house and into the dirt, sand, rocks, grass or whatever else they can safely explore in nature.  

Let's Go For a Nature Walk

Having a great time outside can be as easy as going on a simple nature walk!  I recently came across this fun blog that includes 100 Things to do Before, During or After a Nature Walk. 

The author, Jimmie, has created this list to help parents like you and me provide an experience for our children that will help expand their minds and encourage them to get outside!  The best part about her list is it includes a variety of fun and easy ideas. 

Her list includes things like:

• Construct a pond viewer with instruction on how to do so

• Create and use a scavenger hunt list while on your walk

• Build a fort

• Make fairy homes like this

• Look at things through a magnifying glass

• Make and wear a nature bracelet

• Imagine and tell stories using mythical creatures that could inhabit your forest

Click here to read all of Jimmie's ideas for creating a fun and engaging nature walk experience for you and your children!

Find a Trail

A friend recently recommended an amazing app that I will be using over and over again this summer.  It is the All Trails app.  Have you heard of it?  Have you used it?  Are you as excited as I am to discover new trails in our beautiful area?  I can't wait to use this app all summer!  Let me tell you a little about it and then hurry over and get it so you and your children can get out and discover a new trail!  

This app gives you a list of trails in your area no matter where you are!  You can see maps, read reviews, look at pictures, difficulty levels, trail lengths and rating.  You will know exactly where you are taking your children to explore.  You can even turn on your GPS and follow your trail so you and the kids don't get lost.  So cool!!  There is also a website so you can access information to trails on your computer as well!

Here are some trails I found in the Ogden area that you and your kids may love to explore!

Gibbs Trail

4.3 miles 

Gibbs Trail is an out and back trail near Ogden, Utah.  It is filled with beautiful wild flowers and is easy enough for all skill levels.  Dogs are allowed which can make this activity even more fun if you bring your dog along!  Check out more details about Gibbs Trail here.

Waterfall Canyon

2.5 miles

Who doesn't love a waterfall? Waterfall canyon has a little bit of a climb but if you go slow your kids should make it up just fine.  There are some flat trails at the base of this trail where they can explore before or after you hike to the top!  This is a fun trail for the whole family with a great views and a beautiful waterfall.  Click here to learn more about this beautiful trail.

Ogden Bay Waterfowl Management Area

4.2 miles

If you live out west or are looking for an easy and flat trail you could check out this fun place! It is primarily used for nature walking, canoeing and bird watching.  The only downside is there aren't trees that offer shade so bring a lot of water and I recommend going during the cooler time of the day. To see more photos, read reviews and find a map click here!

Bonneville Shoreline Trail

11 miles 

(make it as short or long as you want)

Before you count this trail out because of how long it is just hear me out!  This trail is amazing.  It is an easy trail and you have beautiful views the entire time.  It is kid friendly and you may even find wildflowers along the way.  Make this trail as short or as long as you would like. Here is a link to more information on this trail!

Some of the best trails are off the beaten path.  Your kids may love exploring in the field in your back yard or even at the park.  The most important thing is that they EXPLORE and get out in nature this summer!

What trails do you and your family love?  Which activity did you try with your kids and was it successful?  Comment below and share to receive a free Contigo water bottle!  Happy trails!!

Sincerely,

Shalyse

Martin Luther Kind Day

Hey ya'll as most of you know, or should know our center will be closed and schools will  be out to observe Martin Luther King day! I don't know about you guys but I don't think my kiddos know exactly why we don't have school that day. Yes, they learn things in school but do they really know? Or is it just like any other day off for them? I don't know, but I've decided this year to make sure my kids know exactly who he is, why he's important and why we observe his day! If you'd like to join me here are some SUPER cute and fun ways to teach our little's no matter the age! Enjoy your 3 DAY WEEKEND!! Be safe and we'll see ya Tuesday!

                                        Love Always, Your CC Blogger


        https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Martin-Luther-King-Jr-Printables-1038399

  teachertothecore.blogspot.com    

      

BRR...

Hey Hey everyone!! I hope ya'll had an awesome holiday!! Sorry I have been a little MIA lately but.. Mom life has me CRAZY with one thing after another these days!! Anywho..  It has been a chili month but when I took my kiddos to school this morning is was -5!! Umm... That's so NOT awesome! If your kids are like mine too much inside time makes them crazy, which makes me crazy!! And of course its Friday so they'll have a ton of inside time! Fear not! I have found some yummy meals, treats and some fun indoor activities for the fam to enjoy this freezing weekend! Enjoy and talk to ya next week!

 

                                                        Love, Your CC Blogger

 

 

             

 

     

 

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Christmas Decor

Hey all!! Happy December! As you all know its gonna be rather chili outside for the next few days so.. I found some SUPER cute crafts to do with and without the kiddos to spruce up your home this holiday season! Hope you enjoy these as much as I did!!
                                                          Love, Your CC Blogger

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