9 Healthy Summer Snacks For Kids

Fuel your child’s fun this summer with healthy snacks that give them the energy they need to play all day.

Ahh, summer holidays. Is there anything better than long days spent playing outside, building forts, jumping on the trampoline or splashing under the sprinkler? Encourage your children to play all day with a supply of quick and easy healthy summer snacks to fuel their adventures.

Why is healthy snacking important for children?

Snacks are a great way to give children a boost of energy between meals. While they’re growing and being active, it’s important to offer healthy snacks to give them a consistent supply of energy. Dieticians recommend summer snacks that offer a grain, starch, vegetable or fruit for energy and fibre, alongside a protein or fat to give kids a slower release of energy and help them feel full. To keep them hydrated in the warmer weather, water is the best option to keep their bodies and teeth heathy.

Easy-to-make healthy summer snacks for kids:

Add some summer flair to your kid’s snacks these holidays with these delicious and healthy easy summer snacks:

• Fruity ice-blocks: Take advantage of the delicious summer fruits in season right now and blend mangoes or strawberries with a little Greek yoghurt and a dash of honey. Pour the mix into ice-block moulds to set for a refreshing treat that’s perfect on a hot summer day. Try this recipe.
• Veggie rainbow cups: Slice bright-coloured veggies into fingers to make the most enticing summer snacks. Challenge your kiddos to eat as many different colours as they can. Try red and yellow capsicum, crunchy carrot and cucumber, crisp green snowpeas or celery and purple cauliflower (yes, it’s fine to eat raw!). Serve it with a tasty dip, such as hummus or Greek yogurt.
• Yogurt parfaits: Layer clear cups with yogurt, muesli and your child’s favourite fresh fruits for a fun and nutritious snack.
• Frozen banana/date bites: For a sweet treat on a hot day, dip slices of banana or pitted dates into melted dark chocolate, then pop in the freezer to set – yum!
• Homemade trail mix: As far as healthy summer snacks go, you can’t go past a custom, homemade trail mix. Choose a variety of nuts, seeds and dried fruits, with a little bit of homemade popcorn for fun. Try this recipe.
• Fruit skewers: There’s something about fruit on a stick that makes it irresistible to kids. Cut seasonal fruit into cubes and thread them onto skewers or invite your child to thread their own – it’s great for their fine motor skills. Try watermelon, rockmelon, honeydew melon and strawberries for one of the most visually appealing healthy summer snacks.
• Smoothie bowls: Blend fresh summer fruits with spinach or kale, then serve it in a bowl topped with nuts, seeds or granola for added crunch.
• Choc banana bread: Use up your overripe bananas to make this super simple chocolate chip banana bread. This is sure to become one of your child’s favourite healthy summer snacks, because they can just grab a slice and keep on playing.
• Apple doughnuts: This has got to be one of the quickest, easy summer snacks to make and kids love it. Core an apple and slice it into circular slices, layer with a spread such as peanut butter or yoghurt and top with fruit and nuts.

Find more healthy summer snacks ideas

Check out the nutrition section of the Edge Early Learning Centre blog for loads more healthy snack ideas for children. We also recommend books you can read with your child to encourage healthy eating and have tips for managing picky eaters.