Summer Foodie Fun with Kids!

Since we’re in Arizona – the summers can get long – and obviously they are super HOT! Making special treats in the summer, just like baking in the winter, is one way to keep kids entertained, and fed, all summer long!

1. Frozen Watermelon Pops – this is as basic as it sounds – but kids LOVE it. You cut watermelon into thick wedges and use a knife to slice a small opening on the back rind. Insert a popsicle stick and freeze for 2+ hours. Remove from freezer and enjoy!
2. Bird’s nest snack – my kids love their plan, buttered pasta. I don’t mind, especially when using the oven is something I’m trying strongly to avoid. Make hard boiled eggs in your instant pot or regular stove pot, and their favorite plain spaghetti pasta noodles. Make a “nest” with the noodles and put a hard- boiled egg in the middle! Kids think this lunch is a super neat!
3. Fruit Kabobs – This is a common summer snack but nothing is more refreshing than opening up your fridge to a tray full of fruit kabobs! I think its fun to layer them in similar colors – for example green grapes, honeydew, and kiwi. Or strawberries, raspberries and purple grapes. Remember, frozen fruit can work too!
4. Indoor “s’mores”. Campfires are usually banned in the summer in Arizona – so it’s hard to get a good, traditional store. Make a lunch snack with graham crackers, whipped cream (bonus points if you whip your own and then you can control the amount of sugar) and add some peanut butter and chocolate chips, even a banana slice or two tastes pretty darn amazing with the other ingredients! This is also something kids can make pretty well on their own.
5. “Painted” Toast – I saw this idea awhile back on Pinterest – and I think it’s super cute and worth mentioning. You can use natural or regular food coloring (keep in mind you can easily blend up some food coloring from frozen fruits) and kids get to “paint” their breakfast toast with the colors. This does require more work and usually works best if your kids are late-risers. So basically, not my kids!

Do you have some summer food ideas that your kids love? Share them with us! We’d love to hear more quick and easy recipes to get us through the summer.