These seven snacks
are easy to make, fun for the kids and a few of them even sneak
in some healthy ingredients along the way. Be sure to keep
on hand some inexpensive plastic bowls and plates for outside
snacking, plus small resealable plastic bags for those times
you need to take these with you. I don't know about your
kids, but mine act like they need army rations for a trip to
the nature center, which is 5 minutes away. These recipes
are perfect for field trips, school lunches or after school snacks.
Graham Cracker Sandwiches
Mash 1/2 cup of peanut butter and 1 large or 2
small very ripe bananas with a fork. Add 1/4
teaspoon of cinnamon and mash again. Spread
on one graham cracker square and top with the
other for a fun treat. You can also use this as
a dip with teddy bear shaped graham crackers.
Munching Goldfish and Friends
Ingredients:
3/4 cup Corn Chex
11/2 cups goldfish crackers
3/4 cup Cheerios
1/2 cup Graham Cracker Teddy Bears
3/4 fpretzel nuggets
11/2 tbsp. soy sauce (regular or light)
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
Lightly spray a 10x15x1 inch baking sheet with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine all snack ingredients except soy, mustard
and spices. In a small bowl combine soy sauce, mustard, garlic
powder, and onion powder until blended. Pour sauce over cereal
mixture; spread into prepared pan. Bake in preheated 350 oven 5
minutes. Remove mixture from oven and mix lightly. Return to oven
and bake an additional 5 minutes. Cool completely and store in an
airtight container. Great for trips to the zoo, nature center or other
field trips!
A Fun Nature Snack!
Bugs and Dirt
You will need:
Chocolate Graham Crackers
Chocolate Sprinkles-Ants
Gummy Worms
Raisins-Beetles
Crush the graham crackers with a rolling pin. Place into
a bowl then add the ants, beetles and worms to the "dirt".
Place the bowl in the middle of the table with a clean sand
shovel and let each child scoop up a cup of dirt and bugs.
You can let them eat with their hands or spoons. This is
also great for outside at the picnic table, using small paper
cups or plastic bags for their treats. The real backyard
critters will help clean up the mess on the grass!
Honey Crispies
Ingredients:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 1/2 cups crispy rice cereal
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup multi-colored sprinkles
Place a piece of waxed paper on a cookie
sheet. Combine powdered sugar, honey
and peanut butter in a bowl and mix well.
Stir in cereal and raisins. Using hands,
shape mixture into 1 inch balls. Roll balls
in sprinkles and place on cookie sheet.
Refrigerate for 1 hour. Store in a covered
container. Makes about 30.
Marshmallow Popcorn Balls
Ingredients:
5 cups popcorn, popped
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, toffee chips or mini M&Ms
1/3 cups peanuts
2 tablespoons margarine --softened
3 cups miniature marshmallows
In a prepared mixing bowl, combine popcorn, candy coated
pieces, and peanuts. Place margarine and marshmallows
in a 4-cup microwave-safe measuring cup. Microwave on
high for 2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring once
halfway through cooking. Pour over popcorn mixture; stir
quickly to coat. With buttered hands, quickly shape mixture
into balls. Place on waxed paper. Let stand for 1 hour.
Nacho Popcorn
Ingredients:
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 cup melted butter
10 cups freshly popped popcorn
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
In a small bowl, stir paprika, chili powder, and cumin into
melted butter. Gently toss butter mixture with popcorn,
coating evenly. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and toss
until coated. Makes 10 cups.
Snack Mix Squares
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups broken pretzel sticks
2 cups crispy rice or Rice Chex
1 1/2 cups M&Ms or Reeses Pieces
1/2 cup peanuts
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup peanut butter
5 cups miniature marshmallows
In a large bowl combine pretzels, cereal and candy.
In a large saucepan, over low heat, melt butter and
peanut butter. Add marshmallows and cook, stirring
until all is melted and smooth. Pour over snack
mixture and stir to coat. Press into a buttered
9x13 pan and cool until firm. Cut into squares.
Makes about 24 squares.
About the Author
Brenda Hyde is Mom to three hungry kids and wife to a husband who loves to snack.
She is also a freelance writer and editor at Seeds of Knowledge.
