Summer Fun in the Kitchen with Kids

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

05 Aug 2009 10:40 PM

Don't let an afternoon rainstorm put a damper on your summer fun. Rather, you can use the inclement weather to your advantage by gathering the kids in the kitchen to make nutritional snacks that are so festive they won't even know they're eating healthy.

FISHY SNACK MIX

Ingredients:

3 cups goldfish shaped baked snack crackers

2 cups pretzel sticks

2 cups toasted oat cereal

2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon celery salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 cups gummy candy fish and worms

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine crackers, pretzels, cereal and cheese in large bowl.

Stir together all remaining ingredients except gummy candy in small bowl.

Pour butter mixture over crackers, toss to coat.

Spread mixture onto a jellyroll pan. Bake stirring occasionally for 18 to 23 minutes or until lightly browned.

Cool completely.

Stir in gummy candy.

Serve immediately or store in airtight container.

Makes 9 cups.

HEALTHY TRAIL MIX

Ingredients:

Dried pineapple

Dried banana slices

Dried papaya, diced

Dried mango

Dried blueberries

Craisins

Large coconut shavings

Dark chocolate bits

Pistachios

Almonds

Walnuts

Pumpkin seeds

Directions:

To a large bowl add as much or as little of each ingredient as you desire.

Mix and serve.

OATMEAL APPLE COOKIES

Ingredients:

1/2 cup margarine, softened

1/2 cup honey

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup whole-wheat flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and grease cookie sheets.

In a large bowl, cream together the margarine, honey, egg and vanilla until smooth.

Combine the whole-wheat flour, baking soda and cinnamon; stir into the creamed mixture.

Mix in oats and apple. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Related Articles:

Rainy Day Summer Fun

Summer Fun for Kids in the Great Outdoors

Super Summer Sanity Savers for Parents

Affordable Ways to Keep Kids Busy This Summer

Super Summer Fun for Kids

Edible Sand Castle and Other Summer Fun for Kids

Serious Summer Fun

Fun and Affordable Family Activities

Ways to Have Fun on a Budget

Family Fun for Less

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger