Your next neighborhood adventure awaits! Whether it’s a trip to the Arboretum and Pool for an afternoon play-date in the sun or the family is off to see lions at the Denver Zoo, you’ll need lots of healthy summer snacks on hand to stay fueled. Food = energy! These tasty, easy summer snacks will satisfy both you and the kiddos.
Portable Snacks for Summer Fun Days
Skip the chips and candy bars. This season, explore colorful, fresh produce amplified with tasty little extras. The kids can try something new and you’ll feel great about making healthier decisions!
Raspberry Drops: Tuck dark chocolate chips or white chocolate chips into plump, whole raspberries. Serve the fruit in individual cups for each person to avoid crushing the berries. This juicy finger food won’t last long!
Seasoned Nuts: From sweet vanilla cashews to spicy chili pistachios, choose flavored nuts for an afternoon snack. These are a fun break from the usual salted varieties and satisfy cravings for something crunchy.
Frozen Grapes: Toss red, purple or green grapes into the freezer for a few hours. These fresh snacks are perfect to munch on at a summer picnic. Or, toss them in your drink to keep it cool! Got a picky eater in the bunch? Offer yogurt as a dipping sauce for the grapes.
Fruit Kebabs: Thread plump strawberries, pineapple chunks, melon cubes, and whole grapes onto wooden skewers for hands-free snacking. Easily transport fruit kebabs in a reusable wide-mouth water bottle.
Stuffed Celery: Over stuff a celery stick with almond butter or soft, spreadable cheese. Top with a few dried cranberries and another celery stick, creating a “filled log.” Crunch away!
Sun Crackers: Make little sandwiches from whole wheat crackers and sunflower seed butter. You can add a spot of grape jam to make it more like a mini Pb&j that’s peanut-allergen friendly!
Peppy Popcorn: Does everyone in the family like spicy food? Make up a fresh batch of popcorn, then sprinkle it with your favorite hot sauce. Keep the water bottles handy for extra sipping!
Apples & Cheese: Chop an apple into cubes and sprinkle it with lemon juice to prevent browning. Then, toss the cubes in a container with cheddar cheese curds for a sweet and savory snacking combo.
Get creative! See what ingredients you having lingering in the pantry and refrigerator. You can easily make up your own trail mix from an assortment of dried fruits, nuts and seeds. Toss in a few chocolate chips, and you’re sure to please everyone in the group.
Looking for more activities to fill the calendar this summer? View our Community Life page for links to local resources and maps to spark some ideas. We hope you and your family make wonderful memories this season in the Denver area!