What are some fun snack recipes kids can make?

For easy snacks that young kids can help make, try classic combinations like ants on a log, peanut butter crackers, or homemade trail mixes. Older kids ready to handle sharp knives and kitchen equipment like blenders can try their hand at smoothies and freezer pops.

To make snacks with young kids, start by arranging the ingredients within their reach with any heavy chopping or cutting done in advance. For ants on a log, put out celery sticks, raisins and peanut butter. For peanut butter crackers, put out peanut butter with graham crackers or a butter cracker such as Ritz. Children can use a spoon, a plastic knife or a child-friendly butter knife to spread the peanut butter.

For trail or snack mixes, put out granolas, cereals, pretzels, dried fruits, nuts and/or small chocolate candies. Kids can scoop their favorites into cups or into sandwich baggies.

Older kids ready to handle knives can help parents cut fruits and veggies for homemade smoothies. Combine chopped bananas, berries, yogurt and fruit juice for a sweet treat, and add a handful of fresh spinach leaves, chopped kale or a few frozen broccoli florets for an extra serving of veggies. Serve immediately, or turn the smoothie into a frozen treat by pouring the mixture into a freezer pop mold. After two hours in the freezer, a healthy and tasty dessert is created.