For most of the meals and treats I make, one or both of them will stand beside me, ready to pour and mix ingredients (especially if it means a chance to lick a spoon). At this point, however, my six-year-old is showing signs of wanting more control over the kitchen for himself. When he decides he wants food, he’ll go in and make a sandwich or flavorsome toasted bread. He’s now tall enough for the microwave, and therefore finds any excuse to utilize it.
This makes sense to me. By eight or nine years old I remember learning how to make an omelet completely on my own, and from there I continued to build upon my cooking and baking abilities. He’s definitely getting to the age of independence.
I want to encourage this. Not only will it take a burden off of me when he’s able to put together a snack for himself and his sister, but it’s a skill he needs to develop. I want him to know his way around the kitchen, and I hope to foster his interest in making food.
I wanted to find a bunch of recipes specifically meant for children to prepare by themselves, but I was honestly disappointed with the options I came across. Sweet treats seemed to be the common theme for many of these recipes. While desserts are fun for special occasions, I want options I don’t mind him eating throughout the day. After all, this is something he doesn’t necessarily need permission to make. Of the healthier options I found, they mostly concentrated on arranging fruits, vegetables, and dip in cutesy designs. I don’t necessarily need a party platter here…just a little snack he can put some effort into whipping up.
So, it is now my mission to create a collection of recipes for small children. The idea is to essentially choose a snack for the week, demonstrating how to prepare it on Monday, leave the step-by-step instructions on the fridge, and allow him full reign when preparing that snack throughout the week. We’re in week one of trying this out and so far it’s going well.
It helps that I picked a great snack to start us out: Fruit Tacos.
The instructions are easy to follow and require little skill. As we continue building our recipe collection, the complicity will grow. For now, this is perfect! Even my 3 year old can do it.
Look out for more recipe ideas I have for little kids, and maybe I’ll even discuss some must-have kitchen gadgets that make cooking with kiddos both easier and safer.
Fruit Taco
Ingredients
- Frozen pancakes
Spread Ideas
- Peanut butter or another nutty butter, yogurt, cream cheese, apple sauce, flavored butter (apple, pumpkin, etc.)
Fruits
- Strawberry, bananna, blueberry, raspberry, kiwi
Extras
- Raisins, nuts, coconut flakes, dried fruit,
Instructions
- Heat the pancake in either the microwave (30 seconds) or the toaster. Whichever your child is most comfortable doing on their own.
- Pick a spread and slather it across the pancake.
- Sprinkle fruits and other flavorful additions inside the pancake.
- Fold it up and enjoy!
It is hard finding healthy snacks! One of the difficult elements of my “job” is trying to keep up with appetites outside of mealtimes without resorting to foods heavy on sugar and sodium. I mean, for crying out loud, have you seen the ingredients in veggie straws? You know, that easy go-to snack we give our kids? That tiny bit of vegetable they use to justify their marketing is really a vehicle for salt. Similarly, it’s hard finding granola bars that are both delicious and lacking in chocolate of some kind. Of course, both of those choices are better than the goldfish crackers my kids tend to devour…but I digress.
I am constantly refilling my fridge with veggies and hummus, which is the easiest guilt-free snack I can keep around for the kiddos. But fresh vegetables are expensive considering the rate at which food is consumed in our house. I would also like to include more protein options that require little to no prep work on my part.
Peanut butter is honestly the unsung hero of snack food. It’s flavorful and packed with easy protein. Kids usually love it. And the best part is the versatility! I spread it on toast for breakfast. On apples, celery, or perhaps rice cakes for snacks. And who doesn’t love peanut butter and banana sandwiches when you’re looking for a special lunch option?
Recently I’ve scrambled to find snacks that meet current dietary restrictions. I need something filling and preferably packed with some type of nutrition. Protein bites seemed like an easy option, so I searched my pantry for the options. Most of these ingredients I find in bulk, making this easier on the wallet than constantly handing my kids “fresh” foods every time they announce they’re hungry. Not to mention, I originally tried this recipe with us adults in mind. The fact that the kids are now hooked on these things is a bonus. It’s a snack for literally any age!
The unhealthiest thing about this recipe is the inclusion of honey for the purpose of flavor. Otherwise, it’s a delicious protein source you can feel good about feeding your family.
The flaxseed is optional, though for those who do not have an allergy this is a terrific source of omega 3 fatty acids (good fats!) and fiber. It’s been shown to reduce the risks of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and potentially inflammation (supposedly. I’m not a doctor). Definitely an added bonus to snack time!
5 Ingredients Protein Bites
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Peanut Butter
- 1 Cup Old Fashioned Oats
- 1/2 Cup Coconut Flakes
- 1/2 Cup Flax Seeds
- 3 Tbsp Honey
Instructions
- Using a stand or hand mixer, combine all ingredients together until well combined.
- Once combined, roll a spoonful of the mix between hands to form a ball.
- Once all of the bites are formed. Place them in the refrigerator to harden. Enjoy after 2-4 hours!